Insider Suggests Leafs Could Wait to Replace Mitch Marner With 2026 Free Agents Like Connor McDavid
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NHL Insider Chris Johnston recently reported on his latest podcast episode that the Maple Leafs might want to save their money this season for future free agents.
While all the drama surrounding Mitch Marner is sure to pick up in the coming weeks, the Maple Leafs need to figure out where to best spend the influx in cap they'll have because of Marner's imminent departure.
Toronto Should Be Patient With Their Spending: Chris Johnston
Many think they should make a splash for someone like Sam Bennett or Brock Boeser, but NHL Insider Chris Johnston believes they might be best suited to be a bit more patient and save in anticipation for 2026:
You can't replace him. But what you do I think, as the organization, you make some short-term decisions.
Like to me, the best bets would be don't tie up that money immediately into something long-term and be well positioned; we are entering what could be the most interesting era of player transfers over the next year, or two, or three.
There's not a lot of recent precedent for what I think could happen. If you're the Leafs, I think you try and be nimble, I don't know if they can get in on any of what may or may not happen [this year].
I'm talking other free agents, and I don't mean Summer 2025. I'm talking 2026, 2027. - Chris Johnston, The CJ Show
Like to me, the best bets would be don't tie up that money immediately into something long-term and be well positioned; we are entering what could be the most interesting era of player transfers over the next year, or two, or three.
There's not a lot of recent precedent for what I think could happen. If you're the Leafs, I think you try and be nimble, I don't know if they can get in on any of what may or may not happen [this year].
I'm talking other free agents, and I don't mean Summer 2025. I'm talking 2026, 2027. - Chris Johnston, The CJ Show
So with this free agency class ignored for the time being, who are we looking at as potential free agents.
Connor McDavid Headlines Spectacular Free Agency Class
First and foremost, the greatest player in the world is currently projected to be a free agent when his contract expires next season.
While it's certainly possible that he re-signs with Edmonton, if he falters again in the playoffs he may decide to move on, and everyone will be salivating at that fact.
No doubt an immediate improvement to any roster, McDavid is going to command the largest deal in professional hockey history and Toronto, if they wanna be in the running, need to save as much as possible.
What's more to say about McDavid though?
He has 1082 points in 712 career games (361 G, 721A), has won every award under the sun minus a Stanley Cup (including winning a Conn Smythe as a runner-up in last year's Cup Final) and won gold in every junior tournament he was part of.
But he's not just the only potential game changer who could be available in 2026.
We have the likes of:
There's also a big youth movement as well, with the potential for a lot of younger players to find new teams such as:
All of these players heading to different destinations would throw a huge power shift in the landscape of the NHL and could make for some wild results down the line.
Toronto Needs Connor McDavid Regardless Of Cost
But focusing solely on McDavid, him coming to Toronto would not only put a years-long rumor to rest, but give them perhaps the greatest 1-2 center combination ever.
Pushing Auston Matthews to the #2 line would be a lot of pressure taken off his shoulders, and also allow John Tavares to slide down to the third line where he's more suited to help out in the future.
It would also give McDavid the star power needed to help him out at times, given they would still have Matthews, Tavares, William Nylander, and presumably Matthew Knies.
Not only that, but if Toronto wanted to continue or re-experiment with a five forward power play unit, imagine the following:
Knies - McDavid - Tavares
Matthews - Nylander
While that looks crazy on paper, it might be crazy enough to work.
Knies and Tavares are great at cycling the puck and playing to the point, whereas Matthews and Nylander have deadly shots, meanwhile McDavid can find the open man after being doubled up.
It also gives Toronto their two fastest players on defense in case of a breakout, and both players are more than good enough defensively to prevent a shorthanded chance.
The one caveat however, disregarding all the lineups and potential dream scenarios and that's Auston Matthews' contract.
With reports earlier the team wouldn't budge on paying Mitch Marner more than the $13.25M, will they crack and pay McDavid the $15-$16M per season (on the low end) or are they going to be gun-shy still?
This is Connor McDavid though, a once-in-a-lifetime talent that miraculously might become available next year.
If you're going to not at least field a competitive offer, why are you even here in the first place?
| POLL | ||
MAI 25 | 577 ANSWERS Insider Suggests Leafs Could Wait to Replace Mitch Marner With 2026 Free Agents Like Connor McDavid Which free agent should Toronto go after in 2026? | ||
| Connor McDavid | 361 | 62.6 % |
| Patrik Laine | 19 | 3.3 % |
| Jack Eichel | 36 | 6.2 % |
| Cale Makar | 161 | 27.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
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