Insider Hints at Unexpected Maple Leafs Moves That Could Drag Into Training Camp
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NHL Insider Chris Johnston believes that the Toronto Maple Leafs might not be too quick to act once free agency kicks off, leading to them making smarter moves later.
There are going to be a lot of fans who are eagerly anticipating what moves the Toronto Maple Leafs are going to do regarding their offseason plans. Are they going to make a splash for a big name free agent, or are they going to sign several smaller role players to fill out the holes.
Trading is also a very viable option for GM Brad Treliving and he has a fair amount of cap space to work with, especially if John Tavares ends up walking. They could do some serious damage, and even though some free agents may be hesitant; money talks.
Toronto may make moves late into the offseason: Chris Johnston
But NHL Insider Chris Johnston believes the team should do something a bit more drastic this season, and it involves doing really not much of anything at all until they are completely sure.
Speaking on his podcast, The CJ Show, Johnston explained that the Maple Leafs aren't going to be rushing to make any moves, and that some of the moves they make may drag out into late July and August:
I think it's going to be a long summer for Brad Treliving. It's not just going to be, 'Hey, sign three depth players on July 1st and put up the gone fishing sign.' So no matter how this all plays out, it's probably going to be a work in progress right into September and training camp. - Chris Johnston
While fans would more than likely prefer the Leafs GM to make some moves some July 1, there's no reason to rush into things especially not knowing how the market is going to play out.
Toronto should wait until 2026 free agent class
They have a plan obviously, and we've seen some of the framework of what they want to do. Reports have seen the names of Calle Jarnkrok and David Kampf bring tossed around in trade rumors, meanwhile Treliving himself has stated he wants to make several changes to how the team operates as a whole.
Plus, the 2026 free agency class is expected to be one for the ages, and with the potential to see names like Connor McDavid, Nikita Kucherov, Cale Makar, and Jack Eichel all become available next year; money is going to be of the essence.
So it might behoove Brad Treliving to hold onto his money, given that he doesn't need to rush a fairly thin free agent class. He already can't get Mitch Marner, and signing one or multiple of Sam Bennett, Aaron Ekblad or Brad Marchand is much easier said than done.
Why not be a bit more frugal this season, find some more role players, and perhaps bring up a couple youngsters to fill some voids.
2026 isn't that far away, and the proposition to have some of the potential names are too good to spend on someone this season.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 25 | 590 ANSWERS Insider Hints at Unexpected Maple Leafs Moves That Could Drag Into Training Camp Do you think the Maple Leafs are going to make any moves on July 1 or wait things out? | ||
| Wait it out! | 256 | 43.4 % |
| They will make a splash July 1 | 334 | 56.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
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