The Toronto Maple Leafs are nearly through this awful season, and could potentially lock up a top-five pick in the upcoming draft. Even with that good news, this season was a failure for the franchise.
They failed to win without Mitch Marner, and lots of players had down seasons. Going into the offseason, new management must move on from some of the current roster players. If not a rebuild, the Leafs are certainly entering a retool. Let’s take a look at some current players who they should move on from.
Max Domi
One of the top players that the Leafs need to move on from is forward Max Domi. There was a lot of hype around Domi when he originally signed with the Leafs, as his father, Tie, is a former Leaf. Domi originally signed a one-year deal with the Leafs for the 2023–24 season. Afterwards, he earned himself a four-year deal to stay with the team. In his first year with the Leafs, Domi played well. He posted 38 assists and 47 points in 80 games and provided some physicality to the lineup.
The reason why the Leafs must move on from Domi is to cut down on the depth forwards. Domi is a replaceable player, and the Leafs likely will not be competing again anytime soon. With Domi off the team, the Leafs could gain some cap space, provide a consistent chance to a younger player, and help them tank next season. Even though the Leafs do not have their own first-round pick next year, tanking is the right decision.
Domi will likely not fetch much in a trade return. He will just be a cap dump that could bring in a draft pick or two. After this season, Domi will have two years left on his current deal, making an annual salary of $3.75M. His contract includes a 13-team no-trade clause, which complicates the situation. Even with that, I still think another team would take Domi on. The Leafs would then be able to replace Domi’s position with a player like Bo Groulx, who was fantastic in his stint with the Leafs.
Brandon Carlo
Trading Brandon Carlo is a bit of a no-brainer. He has not worked out well in Toronto, and that trade will haunt the Leafs for many years to come. Brad Treliving dealt forward Fraser Minten, a fourth-round pick, and a conditional first-round pick to the Bruins for the big defenceman. Losing Minten alone was awful enough, but if the Bruins also get the Leafs’ first-rounder from this season, that would make a complete disaster.
The Leafs can easily move on from Carlo, especially once a healthy Chris Tanev is back. Losing Carlo, quite frankly, will not change much. He is a defensive-style defenceman who can kill penalties. These kinds of defencemen are cheap, which means that Carlo can easily be replaced in free agency. Trading Carlo would give Simon Benoit a bigger role or give a young guy like Ben Danford a chance to get some games.
Carlo will also not fetch much in a trade. He has not been his best in Toronto, which will help diminish any trade value. On the brighter side, Carlo will have only one year left after this season and only a three-team no-trade clause. His average salary of $3.485M will be no challenge to move. The Leafs could likely get a later-round pick and a mediocre prospect for Carlo. The 29-year-old could then be a serviceable bottom-four defender for another squad.
Anthony Stolarz
The last player I think the Leafs should move on from is goaltender Anthony Stolarz. The unfortunate fact is that Stolarz is signed for another four years after this season. He signed this extension in September of 2025 when it was certain that he was the Leafs starter. After this season, that idea is up in the air. Joseph Woll is younger and just as good. Meanwhile, the Leafs also have Dennis Hildeby and Artur Akhtyamov in the system.
Stolarz is done for the season. Looking at the big picture, I think Stolarz is one of the movable players that the Leafs could actually get a decent return for. He does have a 16-team no-trade clause going into next season, so that may cause some movement issues. I think if management could find the right fit, the Leafs could fetch a couple of picks and a decent prospect for Stolarz. He still has some good years in him and is signed for four more years.
Stolarz had a rough season, posting a .893 save percentage and a 3.28 goals against average. It was certainly a step down from his memorable first year as a Leaf. Here, Stolarz posted a .926 save percentage and was a huge piece in the Leafs playoff clinching season. Going forward, I think it is the right decision to move on from the goalie. There are younger goalies in the system who will fit the Leafs identity in the near future.
Do you think it is time to move on from these players? Who else could be moved in the offseason?
No first round pick but tank anyway? How in the world does that make sense? If the leafs are lucky enough to keep a top 5 pick this year, they lose the next two years first rounders meaning retool is the ONLY option. If they lose their first round pick this year, then the tank should be on as their 2027 pick to Philly is first round protected.
2027 first rounder to Philly is top ten protected ****
I’ve never heard of Cody Misyk & after reading the article he is at the top of the list of bloggers not to waste my time with. It is evident that he knows Jack Shit about hockey. Is there a Cornhole blog he can cover, I suspect that would be more where his expertise lies.
Quite the lousy attitude. Glad I don’t know you. How about you actually respond to the article and show us your knowledge and experience about hockey instead of acting like a JA?
Agreed that Domi needs to be gone but the Leafs are NOT tanking next year purposely, they plan to compete for a Cup. He has not nearly produced to his career average level since he’s been a Leaf! He is very inconsistent. He’s lousy defensively (-29 worst on team!) and poorer at the center position which is the one place they’ve needed him! I think he really does want to play for the Leafs but he’s got to go! Let’s realize with Carlo that NOBODY expected the Leafs to fall and provide a top pick, it was supposed to be a low one such as 26th and Treliving couldn’t have known. Still, it cost too much for Carlo. He is 6’5″ and 227 lbs but plays like he’s 5’6″ and 160 lbs! Carlo may fetch a little more than this article says. Sorry but Woll is NOT as good as Stolarz. Stolarz has sure had injuries lately, although Woll has his share of them too! This is why they need 3 including Hildeby.