Elliotte Friedman Reveals Maple Leafs' Off-Season Plans Ahead of Free Agency
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
On his latest 32 Thoughts podcast, Elliotte Friedman revealed the Maple Leafs' plans as they look towards the 2025 Summer and the 2025-26 regular season.
As Toronto shifts gears toward their first year without Mitch Marner since 2015, they are going to have to focus on a variety of things even before the season starts, including re-signing Matthew Knies and John Tavares, potentially replacing Marner, and figuring out a new team leader.
Elliotte Friedman Lays Out Toronto's Summer Plans
It's a lot to work on, and there needs to be some prioritization somewhere, and according to Elliotte Friedman, the team certainly seems to have a game plan:
I think this week you're gonna see the Leafs look at some of their summer business; Brad Treliving was away as he was dealing with his daughter's graduation.
Now, I think we start to see where their offseason gets figured out. Tavares, there was a lot of talk about him wanting to stay, and them wanting him to. As long as neither side is unreasonable, you have to believe a deal gets done.
Tavares can't offer $8M a year, and Toronto can't offer $1M a year or it won't work, but there is something here both sides are happy with.
Now, I think we start to see where their offseason gets figured out. Tavares, there was a lot of talk about him wanting to stay, and them wanting him to. As long as neither side is unreasonable, you have to believe a deal gets done.
Tavares can't offer $8M a year, and Toronto can't offer $1M a year or it won't work, but there is something here both sides are happy with.
He also discussed what Toronto's plans with Matthew Knies might end up being too:
A lot of talk about Matthew Knies too.
The Maple Leafs are well aware of a potential offer sheet, but they don't want to let it get there.
Around the deadline, when they had to decide whether to move Knies or reshape their roster, there was some preliminary talks about an extension and I think they kind of know where they are going.
We are in a new era of contracts, we're feeling out where we're going with the cap going up.
But when Knies says 'I want to be a Maple Leaf' I think he's telling the truth and they believe it; they want to get a deal done before an offer sheet becomes a reality, but it's grind time now.
The Maple Leafs are well aware of a potential offer sheet, but they don't want to let it get there.
Around the deadline, when they had to decide whether to move Knies or reshape their roster, there was some preliminary talks about an extension and I think they kind of know where they are going.
We are in a new era of contracts, we're feeling out where we're going with the cap going up.
But when Knies says 'I want to be a Maple Leaf' I think he's telling the truth and they believe it; they want to get a deal done before an offer sheet becomes a reality, but it's grind time now.
So that's two key factors that Toronto needs to focus on, and if Friedman is to be believed, then it seems they are going to get things done before it becomes urgent.
But is there anything about Mitch Marner? You bet there is, and Friedman notes that Toronto just wants one thing:
Marner, I think first of all there's a lot of noise, but the team is going to ask for clarity; "Is there any conversation to be had, or is this 100% your commitment to testing the free agent market?"
They have to ask that first, see what the answer is and go from there.
They have to ask that first, see what the answer is and go from there.
Well that's certainly a lot to absorb, so let's break it down a little bit more.
Toronto Seemingly Prepared For Life Without Mitch Marner
As much as Don Cherry would like to think otherwise, it seems that both Toronto and Mitch Marner are headed towards a split, and while it certainly stings, it isn't the end of the world.
If the team can re-sign Knies and Tavares, while also adding some smaller pieces in free agency without breaking the bank, they can look at next season as growing pains while they figure out a better roster construction for 2026.
It's important that the team acknowledges they are going to be worse without Marner, and focus on shoring up the holes to keep things as tight as possible.
Will they lose some offense? Sure, but the team is already shifting towards a more defensive structure, and if they can win only scoring 2 or 3 goals; a win is a win regardless.
Speaking of, that is expected to be a massive free agent class, so if the team plays their cards right, then they may not need to think about Marner for very long either.
With Marner seemingly set on going elsewhere, there's really nothing Toronto can do but prepare for life without him.
It's a huge change for the team and its fanbase. Change is scary, but it can also lead to different results; something the Maple Leafs desperately need.
| POLL | ||
MAI 26 | 608 ANSWERS Elliotte Friedman Reveals Maple Leafs' Off-Season Plans Ahead of Free Agency What do you think the most important think for the Maple Leafs is? | ||
| Signing Sam Bennett | 58 | 9.5 % |
| Re-signing Matthew Knies | 451 | 74.2 % |
| Re-signing John Tavares | 17 | 2.8 % |
| Re-signing Mitch Marner | 82 | 13.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
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