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Maple Leafs Set to Pursue Top Free Agent Forward, per Chris Johnston


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Charlie McAfee
July 1, 2025  (6:44)
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May 9, 2025; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Winnipeg Jets left wing Nikolaj Ehlers (27) celebrates his goal against the Dallas Stars in the first period in game two of the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Canada Life Centre. Mandatory Credit: James Carey Lauder-Imagn Images
Photo credit: James Carey Lauder-Imagn Images

The Toronto Maple Leafs could make a big splash and are looking at pursuing free agent Nikolaj Ehlers according to NHL Insider Chris Johnston.

With free agency set to open up at 12PM ET, teams are gearing up with their pitches for some of the league's top players.
Although we've seen names like Sam Bennett and Aaron Ekblad re-sign, as well as Mitch Marner finding himself traded to Vegas; the pickings have quickly become slimmer.
However there are still some great names available and arguably the top player on the market will be former Winnipeg Jets forward Nikolaj Ehlers, who is going to command a huge payday and will no doubt find himself the focal point of several contenders this summer.

Toronto will field an offer for Nikolaj Ehlers: Chris Johnston

The Maple Leafs are one of those teams without a doubt, and if NHL Insider Chris Johnston is to be believed, they are going to put in an offer even if it takes a bit for them to get it done.
Johnston believes the team will at least make an offer for Ehlers, even if they know it might not win out at the end of the day. Ehlers will have his fair share of offers and there's no real need for him to rush into anything.
According to NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman, he believes that Ehlers is also going to get a fair share of offers, however they could get really expensive.
Friedman did note the pending free agent is going to take a bit of a discount on his next contract in order to play for a contender, and while Friedman names Carolina as the frontrunners, we've seen the Maple Leafs at the forefront of nearly every free agent rumor.
Ehlers, 29, had another solid season for the Jets in 2024-25. He had 63 points in 69 games, and has 520 points in 674 career games (225G, 295G) while playing solid defense, discipline and brings that clutch factor (39 game-winners).
One knock on Ehlers would be his postseason play, as he only has 45 career postseasons games with 21 points; but there were times where Winnipeg was pretty bad so he hasn't had too much time to get things going.
If he decides to sign with the Maple Leafs, he instantly takes over for Mitch Marner on the top line with Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies, and would give the team an underrated offensive presence with both great playmaking and finishing ability.
While nothing is for certain, it seems the Maple Leafs are going to be making an offer to Ehlers. They've missed out on some pretty big names, but thanks to some help from their current players; might have enough to make one more splash.
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Maple Leafs Set to Pursue Top Free Agent Forward, per Chris Johnston

Should Toronto make a splash and sign Nikolaj Ehlers?

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