Maple Leafs Make 3 New Signings, Reunite With Former Player

Although it certainly wasn't the big splash like the Mitch Marner sign and trade the day previously, the Toronto Maple Leafs were still active on the first day of free agency, adding a trio of new faces while bringing back another.

The team first signed former Montreal Canadiens forward Michael Pezzetta for a two-year deal, then added Benoit Olivier-Groulx on a two-year, two-way deal. They also added former forward Travis Boyd on a one-year pact, and re-signed defenseman Dakota Mermis as well.

Groulx, Pezzetta and Mermis will all make an AAV of $812,000 while Boyd will get the league minimum at $775,000.

Pezzetta, 27, skated in 25 games with the Montréal Canadiens during the 2024-25 season but registered no points, though he did add 73 hits and was signed to essentially replace Ryan Reaves.

Groulx, 25, hasn't had much time in the NHL during his tenure with the Ducks, though he has skated in 65 games and has five points. He last played for the Ducks in 2023-24 where he had two assists, 101 hits and a minus-9 rating in 45 games.

He spent all of 2024-25 with the Hartford Wolfpack of the AHL and registered 37 points in 47 games (15G, 22A).

Boyd, 31, returns to Toronto where he spent 20 games with the team before being selected off waivers by the Canucks in 2020-21. In his 299 career games he has 118 points (47G, 71) while spending time with Washington, Toronto, Vancouver, Arizona, and Minnesota.

Boyd is a Stanley Cup winner, securing one with Washington in 2018, but has only skated in six playoff games in his career.

Mermis, 31, skated in three games for the Maple Leafs last season, recording one assist. He was originally signed last summer, but was waived and picked up by Utah, only to be placed back on waivers with Toronto scooping him back up.

He was sidelined most of the season due to recovering from jaw surgery, and even though he had minimal time with the Leafs this season, proved that he can good great in a pinch and will add more insurance provided he stays healthy.

Of the four signings, it seems that Pezzetta and Boyd may have the most potential as Pezzetta is known for bringing a physical presence and is much younger than Ryan Reaves, meanwhile Boyd has legitimate NHL experience and is a solid pivot who can fill in when needed.

Groulx and Mermis will likely head to the Marlies, but Groulx might also find his way up at times if he can replicate his AHL production and Toronto needs scoring help.

But for now, it's all Brad Treliving has done. Though he's certainly got more tricks up his sleeve no doubt.