Maple Leafs Might Be in Luck With Two Star Free Agents in 2026
Photo credit: Hockey Patrol
If the Toronto Maple Leafs want to make sure they add a premium player to their ranks, they might have some luck on their side according to Elliotte Friedman.
With all the talk about the Maple Leafs' plans for this offseason, a lot of attention needs to be focused on next year's class of free agents as the list of stars who could potentially be available is arguably the greatest we've ever seen.
Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel, Kirill Kaprizov, Cale Makar, Nikita Kucherov and several other top names could be on the market come July 1 and they are going to get some serious cash.
The Leafs will be in a good spot to sign someone given their open roster space and wealth of cap; however they really shouldn't rush to make a deal right away and see who best fits into a Craig Berube system.
Which Two Star Forwards Could Hit the Market in 2026?
But if they wanted to go after someone like Kyle Connor, or Buffalo's Alex Tuch, they may be in luck according to Elliotte Friedman.
Speaking on his 32 Thoughts podcast, the insider explained that both players are waiting to see how the market looks before making a decision; a huge benefit for the Maple Leafs:
I think there's a lot of guys, Alex Tuch, Kyle Connor, all this group of players I think they just want to see...to see how the market resets
With players wanting to see how things are going to shape up next summer as opposed to committing to their current teams for the long-term means the Maple Leafs have ample opportunity to add a star.
Why the Maple Leafs Need to Keep Cap Flexibility Now
With a defensive core locked down as well as their stars, the Maple Leafs will have a few holes to fill next year but have over $20-million in cap to do so. They will likely be re-signing Anthony Stolarz but they could let guys like Scott Laughton walk in favor of bringing in Easton Cowan or Jacob Quillan full-time.
So with these stars seemingly taking the scenic route to their future, the team can really assess who would be the best fit, the potential cost, and whether or not they might entertain coming to Toronto.
Someone like Tuch, who is stuck on a middling Sabres team who may never get better, is going to want greener pastures somewhere else, and the relative closeness to Buffalo means he wouldn't have to travel across the continent facilitate a move.
Plus he would be the perfect addition to a Craig Berube team. Big, physical, mean, offensively talented and a great two-way force and while he's gonna cost a bit; it's way less than some others which means Toronto can fill the holes they need with smaller free agents.
It also depends on what the team does this season, with Jack Roslovic still in play and his deal is going to extend into the next few seasons, so one role player is already filled; easy peasy right?
On paper yes, but it doesn't mean that Brad Treliving isn't going to have his work cut out for him.
Patience is a virtue however, and the Maple Leafs GM is quite the virtuous individual.
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