Maple Leafs Could Pivot to Alternative Superstar If Connor McDavid Isn't in Play
Photo credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs have multiple options to help the team contend for a cup if they miss out on Connor McDavid, so they may be able to sign a superstar anyways.
Despite links to superstar center Connor McDavid, a lot of which hinges more on optimism than any certainty of a deal, such hopes may be a bit dashed as a report from Elliotte Friedman indicates talks could be close on an extension between McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers.
Team Canada meets next week in Calgary, I expect after Connor McDavid is done there and he goes back up to Edmonton, they will work on getting this [extension] done.
Toronto is surely scouting the free agent market for 2026 after losing Mitch Marner to Vegas, and the team not having made the splash to replace him they had hoped for.
Next season could still be key for the Leafs in the event they're in the position to add a major piece to their roster for next season, looking ahead regardless of what this season brings.
Why McDavid's Future Shapes Toronto's Plans
The Toronto Maple Leafs face a tight contention window that has been given greater uncertainty with Mitch Marner's absence. The Leafs future as potential Cup winners in the Matthews era hinges on the team's ability to dominate.
The past few years have shown that Toronto is a capable team in the regular season that has the skill to go deeper in the playoffs, but has been unable to take the leap to a higher level.
Much of the blame had been squared on Mitch Marner's perceived softness, although much of the team has their share of blame to go around, with the Leafs needing more grit from a culture standpoint.
In terms of what McDavid would bring to Toronto, he's been a winner his whole life. There's very few as competitive as McDavid, and less those who can't stand losing the way he does.
Who Could Be the Leafs' Plan B Superstar?
According to NHL Insider Frank Seravalli, the team could pivot to adding former Sabres star and Vegas center Jack Eichel; an ironic twist given that it would be essentially swapping Marner this year for Eichel next year:
I don't know how they could move on from him, but looking at their cap table it's hard to wedge in; I think what you're talking about...is a $15-million+ AAV deal.
The benefit for the Toronto Maple Leafs is that even if they don't get McDavid, they are set up to potentially succeed with any sort of help in the top-six that is impactful.
With Marner's absence, help on the wing is more necessary than at center, although the value McDavid would bring is near irreplaceable, with only few in the game coming close to McDavid's quality, Matthews being one of those in the tier below.
The 2026 Free Agent class could be the perfect place to get a top target if this year goes by without Toronto having found a top-six replacement for Marner in the lineup.
The Leafs lack cap space, currently just under $2M and without any major names up for an extension after this season except for Matias Maccelli and Anthony Stolarz, but players such as Morgan Rielly have been explored as trade options that would open up cap room for Toronto.
Leading the free agent class for 2026 includes a stacked forward group, with Eichel, Kirill Kaprizov, Artemi Panarin, and Jason Robertson among the names who could be headed to the open market.
Eichel, a cup winner with Vegas, has already been a consolation price for McDavid once having gone second overall behind him in the 2015 NHL Draft, with some scouts having viewed Eichel as a #1 caliber pick in most draft years.
He hasn't been McDavid, but Eichel has been a solid 1C who had a dominant year with 28 goals, 66 assists, and 94 points in 77 games; his rumored $15M contract ask could be a major question mark, however.
Wingers such as Kaprizov and Panarin bring flash on offense, and a creative boost to the lineup, while Robertson, the brother of Leafs forward Nick, has taken the leap from one of the best young forwards to a bona-fide top winger.
Why It Matters for Matthews and Toronto's Cup Window
As Auston Matthews and the Leafs current core approach near their 30's, Toronto will be hungrier to not let their longstanding core go to waste.
Not getting a cup by 30 isn't a complete detriment for Toronto, nor is it cause for any sort of drastic rebuild. Alex Ovechkin didn't win a cup until the age of 32. Steven Stamkos, a player who bares striking similitaries to Matthews, won his first title at 30, and then another next season.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are far from doomed if things to go right this season, but it'll be a major wakeup call that more is still needed despite their major restructurings.
With what has been a long, grueling wait for a cup, Toronto may want to do what's necessary to go all-in and contend for a Stanley Cup as soon as possible, and finally put the constant heartbreak to an end.
| POLL | ||
AOUT 24 | 1234 ANSWERS Maple Leafs Could Pivot to Alternative Superstar If Connor McDavid Isn't in Play Can the Toronto Maple Leafs win the Stanley Cup without making a blockbuster trade or signing? | ||
| Yes | 529 | 42.9 % |
| No | 705 | 57.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
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