July 1, 2026, can’t come soon enough. One of the best days in hockey: NHL Free Agency. Pending unrestricted free agent players looking for new homes, with potential big trades as well, make it all exciting for one Canada Day each year.
With the introduction of new general manager John Chayka and president Mats Sundin, it’s shaping up to be a huge offseason for the Toronto Maple Leafs. After winning the draft lottery and having the choice to select number one prospect Gavin McKenna, this could be the start of something magical in Toronto.
The Leafs have many holes in their lineup, and this offseason, they need to fill them, given how good the Atlantic Division has been. With free agency a month or so away, here are some free agents I would love to see play in a Leafs sweater.
Jason Robertson
Although he is a restricted free agent, Dallas Stars forward Jason Robertson might be a big problem solver that the Maple Leafs need. Moving into his eighth season, Robertson has five consecutive seasons scoring 20 or more goals, hitting 45 just this past season.
Another reason Robertson makes sense for Toronto is his age. At just 26 years old, he still fits the timeline of the Leafs’ core while already being one of the league’s most dangerous offensive players. His ability to score from almost anywhere on the ice would take pressure off Matthews and Nylander, while also giving Toronto another reliable power play option.
Robertson could easily slide himself into the top-six and be the winger to play with Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies, as the American connection on the top line could generate a ton of scoring chances. Bringing in another star player who has proven he can score and make big plays in the playoffs would add to an already elite forward core of Matthews, Knies, William Nylander, Easton Cowan, and potentially Gavin McKenna.
Alex Tuch
Losing Mitch Marner last offseason was tough on Toronto, as the right side of the forward lines did not look strong this past season. Nylander can not hold all the load on the right wing.
They need a playoff player. A guy like Alex Tuch, who has playoff experience and can score big goals when needed (though he did have a rough second round this year), would thrive on this Leafs team. Imagine having a line of Easton Cowan, John Tavares, and Alex Tuch as the second line, which would feed Leafs Nation a line with youth, experience, and scoring.Â
Alex Tuch has been great for the Buffalo Sabres in recent years, but I feel that if Toronto threw him an offer, he wouldn’t refuse. Who doesn’t want to play for one of the original six teams, especially the Leafs?
Alexander Ovechkin
Hear me out, this one is a stretch, but this could be something massive. Arguably the greatest goal scorer of all time, Alex Ovechkin could be looking at a couple more years in the NHL before deciding to hang ’em up.
Why not go to a team like the Maple Leafs with a promising future, now having the first overall pick and the opportunity to play with Matthews, another promising goal scorer? This could be a very bold choice.
The Washington Capitals are not going to win the Stanley Cup within the next few years, and with a quick Leafs retool, could put Toronto in the mix for next year’s playoffs. This is a stretch, but this could appeal to the 40-year-old goal scorer.
What are the odds these will happen?
Tuch is for sure going to be on the Maple Leafs’ radar this free agency. As for Ovechkin and Robertson, not so likely, but you never know. Did anyone have the Leafs winning the draft lottery? Most thought that pick would’ve gone into the Boston Bruins’ hands.
Anything is possible in the NHL, but one thing’s for certain: this offseason could change the landscape of this franchise for now and the future. Whether the Leafs land one of these players or not, this summer feels different compared to previous offseasons. With new management, a franchise-changing draft pick, and pressure to compete in a stacked Atlantic Division, Toronto could be one of the most aggressive teams in free agency.
Leafs fans have waited decades for a championship contender that can truly deliver, and the moves made this offseason may determine whether this new era finally lives up to expectations.
