Brad Treliving Holds $24 Million, Putting Maple Leafs in Position of Strength
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs and GM Brad Treliving are going to be sitting pretty with a lot of cap space next summer and have the ability to make a huge splash in 2026.
With news that the Toronto Maple Leafs were able to extend Anthony Stolarz for less than $4-million a season, it solidified the team's goaltending for the next several years, with Stolarz, Joseph Woll, and Dennis Hildeby all ready to patrol the crease.
It was an incredible bargain for the Maple Leafs who all of a sudden find themselves with a load of cap space come next summer, and only a few spots to fill in the bottom-six.
With that in their minds, could they be preparing for something incredible? Let's take a look:
Maple Leafs Set to Enter Offseason With $24 Million in Cap Space
With the roster the way it is currently set up and barring any trades or signings, this is how the current salary breakdown for the team looks heading into the summer:
Knies (7.8) - Matthews (13) - Domi (3.8)
X - Tavares (4.4) - Nylander (11.5)
Joshua (3.3) - Roy (3) - Cowan (ELC)
Lorentz (1.3) - X - X
X - Tavares (4.4) - Nylander (11.5)
Joshua (3.3) - Roy (3) - Cowan (ELC)
Lorentz (1.3) - X - X
Rielly (7.5) - Carlo (3.5)
McCabe (4.5) - Tanev (4.5)
OEL (3.5) - Benoit (1.4)
McCabe (4.5) - Tanev (4.5)
OEL (3.5) - Benoit (1.4)
Stolarz (3.8)
Woll (3.7)
Woll (3.7)
Cap space: $24M
You only have three spots to really fill, that being Bobby McMann's, as well as Matias Maccelli and the two bottom-six guys in Scott Laughton and Calle Järnkrok; as well as Nick Robertson.
Beyond that everyone is signed through 2026 at least, and in the case of players like Rielly, Tavares, Nylander, Knies, and McCabe; around until 2030.
Which Stars Could the Maple Leafs Target in 2026 Free Agency?
If Toronto wants to make a splash for someone like a Connor McDavid, Kyle Connor or even Kirill Kaprizov, they all of a sudden have an influx of cap to do so.
With the bottom-six able to be filled with internal options like Jacob Quillan, Luke Haymes, or even guys like Alex Nylander; they already have more than enough options to slot in with Lorentz.
That leaves a whole lot of room to add a top-six superstar and in the case of someone like McDavid; a transformative and generational signing.
The three-headed monster of McDavid, Matthews, and John Tavares would give the team a frightening amount of offense, and having arguably the world's greatest scorer and world's greatest player together on the power play could feed families for years.
Or they could decide to do something a bit more pertinent, and perhaps they hold out for Rasmus Andersson and hope that he decides to not only test free agency, but veto any potential trades this season.
Adding him would give Toronto a brand new dynamic on the back end with three of the best shutdown defenders in the league, plus it can allow Brandon Carlo to be dealt away for an offensive piece.
Whatever way Toronto wants to go next summer, they will have more than enough money to do so and with a team firmly set; they're just waiting for that final piece.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 29 | 2257 ANSWERS Brad Treliving Holds $24 Million, Putting Maple Leafs in Position of Strength Do you think Toronto is going to make a splash in free agency next season? | ||
| Yes | 1797 | 79.6 % |
| No | 460 | 20.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
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