Maple Leafs Quietly Positioning Themselves for NCAA Free Agent Splash
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs previous prospect history shows the team may be gearing up to be active in scouting for a top NCAA free agent again
The NCAA has been a place where multiple Toronto Maple Leafs players have found their development pathway, and the Leafs have valued the growth that college hockey has provided as part of their offseason strategy.
Recently, the Leafs have found success from the NCAA in their draft picks with players such as Matthew Knies (Minnesota), Joseph Woll (Boston College), as well as undrafted free agents in Bobby McMann (Colgate) & Alex Steeves (Notre Dame).
The Leafs have also targeted top NCAA players who have promise in being potential NHLers in the future such as Jacob Quillan & Luke Haymes, the latter of whom were signed this past season having been one of the top players in college hockey with Dartmouth.
The Leafs were also in on one of the top free agents available in Gleb Vermenyev, who signed with the New York Islanders, and Karsen Dorwart who joined the Philadelphia Flyers.
The Leafs have had success even in their past with college free agents in recent years, including a former first line center in Tyler Bozak and goaltender Ben Scrivens as players who went from undrafted to impactful NHLers.
It will be likely to see Toronto be active in the 2026 crop of available unsigned free agents who could be next in a long line of NHL quality players they've taken from the college route.
Treliving's Track Record Suggests Leafs Are Watching Closely
Expect the Toronto Maple Leafs to take a chance on one of the top free agents in the upcoming free agent class who could improve the Leafs thin prospect pool.
The likely headliner of the 2026 class is defenseman Mac Gadowsky, the 23-year-old defenseman having been a Hobey Baker nominee as the NCAA's best player.
Gadkowsky is a mobile offensive defenseman with pro size at 6'3 who can move the puck and has been a workhorse for Army.
Next season could be big for Gadowsky who has transferred to Penn State alongside projected 2026 top pick Gavin McKenna, with it hoped Gadowsky's offense will translate to PSU.
A name who will likely rise is Logan Morrell, with the 6'3 transfer to Arizona State a strong, two-way forward who plays a smart game.
North America is not the only place teams will be limited to for free agents in 2026. Sources out of Russia say strong NHL interest exists for Severstal forward Danil Aimurzin, with the Leafs having kept their eye on the 23-year-old.
Aimurzin was one of the top young forwards in the KHL this season with 31 goals and 57 points in 66 games, a highly inventive playmaker who has grown his ability to score from anywhere. Aimurzin projects as a potential middle-six forward in the NHL.
In juniors, Aimurzin had played alongside former Leafs first round pick, the late Rodion Amirov, in the Ufa system. Toronto had their eye on this year's top Russian FA in Maxim Shabanov, but he picked the New York Islanders to sign with.
Why the NCAA Path Still Matters for Cap-Strapped Teams Like Toronto
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a team that have put money towards their top player, and in return have had to budget themselves a bit beyond their top stars, including looking at potential bargains in college.
Just because a player goes undrafted does not mean the end of the road. The NCAA has been highly successful at growing a player's game and maturing it to a point where it can translate to the pro level.
Many players in the NCAA come from outside the USHL, the main source of college hockey talent, with players like Bobby McMann having come from the AJHL, Jacob Quillan & Luke Haymes from the BCHL as examples.
Those players may go undrafted because they're in less scouted leagues and haven't stood out as of yet, but are hard workers who have had their skill unlocked in college to go with their effort level.
What is important for the Leafs at the end of their lineup are guys who can work out and want to win, and getting the right NCAA Free Agent who fits this mold is crucial for a team like Toronto to succeed with low-money wins in their roster.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 31 | 1399 ANSWERS Maple Leafs Quietly Positioning Themselves for NCAA Free Agent Splash Have the Toronto Maple Leafs done well acquiring underrated players? | ||
| Yes | 1019 | 72.8 % |
| No | 380 | 27.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
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