Maple Leafs Have Major Cap Relief Coming Ahead of 2026 Free Agency
Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs don't have much room for this summer to make a move but next summer, they can look forward to having a wealth of space for some big names.
With all the questions surrounding the Toronto Maple Leafs and who they may add in this summer's offseason, there also needs to be a lot of focus come next summer too.
A star-studded list of free agents are going to potentially be available, and with the Maple Leafs desperate to add a player to replace the level of Mitch Marner, they might be primed to make a blockbuster signing.
Thankfully, they are actually going to have room to breathe this time around
Which Contracts Will Open Up Toronto's Cap Space?
There are going to be five unrestricted free agents, as well as nine restricted ones who are going to need deals. However, besides one or two names it's nobody that really warrants keeping especially if there's easier ways to replace them.
They are losing Bobby McMann, Calle Jarnkrok, and Scott Laughton up front, Matt Benning on D, and Anthony Stolarz in net; Matias Maccelli and Nick Robertson will be the RFA's who will get the most focus.
But guys like Ryan Tverberg and Vyacheslav Peksa are probably likely gone, which means they need to fill bodies somewhere.
That will give Toronto a projected total of nearly $25-million to work with next year, but they need to fill seven spots at the NHL level.
Why 2026 Free Agency Could Be a Turning Point for the Maple Leafs
So even if they were to go after a big name player and add them to the top-six, they still need to bring in some smaller names to cover for losing guys like McMann and Laughton.
However, they could also take a swing at some mid-tier free agents if they decide to sign someone like a Kyle Connor. There are names like Jaden Schwartz, Charlie Coyle, Alex Tuch, or even go after Mason Marchment; a long sought after target.
It's also going to depend on what happens with the Maple Leafs after the postseason. If they have a very good year, make the Conference Finals or even the Cup Finals, then it might make some names sign back for cheap (i.e. Stolarz).
If so, that means that Toronto won't have as much money to work with, and may need to go after those mid-tier guys and stock up on talent who can slide up and down the top-six instead of that extra elite talent.
How Cap Relief Shapes Toronto's Long-Term Roster Strategy
Well, they are going to have to play their rookies eventually and what better way to thrust them into the spotlight than give them a genuine shot? If Toronto somehow, someway, managed to land a Connor McDavid or Nikita Kucherov, then they won't have a lot of money to work with.
They will have a much higher competitive window, which will allow their younger stars to grow and progress while also having a bit less pressure to contribute right away.
But they need to fill bodies somewhere so it means that Easton Cowan, Jacob Quillan, and perhaps even Luke Haymes need to make an impact when they come in, and while they won't have to do too much right off the bat; they have to learn to produce somehow.
The team can also sit on their money and wait until the trade deadline if they feel confident enough, however that won't be feasible when this summer is going to be stuffed with long-term and lucrative deals.
So if the team can at least get a bit of a breather from their free agents next year, it should set them up for success regardless of which direction they go.
But then again, nothing is ever guaranteed.
| POLL | ||
AOUT 19 | 1223 ANSWERS Maple Leafs Have Major Cap Relief Coming Ahead of 2026 Free Agency Do you think Toronto will make a play for a top free agent in Summer 2026? | ||
| Yes | 938 | 76.7 % |
| No | 285 | 23.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
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