The Toronto Maple Leafs brought back Vinni Lettieri and signed three other depth players in order to round out the Toronto Marlies and add some insurance.
On Friday, the Maple Leafs decided to announce a few more signings as they brought back Marlies standout Vinni Lettieri on a one-year deal as well as goaltender Samuel Hlavaj to a one-year pact, while also adding Henrik Rybinski and Cole McWard on two-year contracts.
The team announced the move on their social media:
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Lettieri returns while McWard, Rybinski and Hlavaj join the organization
Lettieri was a huge piece of Toronto's Calder Cup win in 2026-27 and the team will be more than happy to add his lethal shot back into the fold, meanwhile Hlavaj provides insurance for Artur Akhtyamov and shores up their now thin goalie situation and Rybisnki and McWard will add some more firepower to an already potent lineup.
Lettieri, 31, appeared in 55 games for the Toronto Marlies in 2025-26 and recorded 42 points (14 goals, 28 assists) while adding 26 points (11 goals, 15 assists) in 23 playoff games en route to the 2026 Calder Cup.
He has 32 points in 155 NHL games with the Boston Bruins, Anaheim Ducks, Minnesota Wild, and the New York Rangers.
Rybinski, 25, appeared in 59 games for the Hershey Bears last season in the AHL and registered 30 points (10 goals, 20 assists).
In four AHL seasons, he has recorded 99 points (30 goals, 69 assists) in 222 games, while adding 13 points (six goals, seven assists) in 28 career playoff games and also captured the Calder Cup in both 2023 and 2024 as a member of the Bears so he comes in with quite the winning pedigree.
Rybinski was originally selected by Florida in the fifth round (136th overall) of the 2019 NHL Draft, so it's nice to see a Panthers prospect blossoming elsewhere given how potent the Panthers already are - they don't need Rybinski adding more firepower.
McWard, 25, appeared in three games for the New York Islanders and 63 games for the Bridgeport Islanders in 2025-26.
In 63 AHL games, he registered 27 points (6 goals and 21 assists) and has one goal in nine career NHL games between Vancouver and New York and also was successful in capturing the 2025 Calder Cup as a member of the Abbotsford Canucks. He was signed by Vancouver as an undrafted free agent in 2023.
Toronto clearly has a theme here and it's making sure they have a boatload of guys who can win and hopefully set up a repeat.
Hlavaj, 25, split his season between the AHL and ECHL. In 22 games for the Iowa Wild (AHL), he recorded a 7-11-4 record along with a .887 SV% and 3.28 GAA.
He also represented Slovakia at the 2026 Winter Olympics and had a 2-3-0 record, 3.56 GAA and a .908 SV%. At the 2026 IIHF World Championships, he had a 2-3-0 record with a 2.63 GAA and .873 SV%. He also signed as an undrafted free agent with Minnesota in 2024.
The Hlavaj signing quietly restocks a goalie pipeline that got thin
This signing wasn't exactly big on the surface but it helps solve a real problem the Maple Leafs have run into. They traded both Joseph Woll and Dennis Hildeby away which left only Akhtyamov as crease commander for the Marlies, and are running with a very veteran tandem in the NHL.
Hlavaj is not going to come in and be a superstar and his role is meant to give Ahktyamov insurance and provide a breather when he needs it. He's been able to showcase a solid game internationally, and his AHL numbers aren't great but with a better team he's at least going to be a good backup.
At only 25 as well he's fitting the youth quota, and with guys in the wings like Patriks Plumins and Juuso Ainasto needing a couple more seasons potentially before heading over, adding Hlavaj also gives them a chance to get better prepared for the North American game.
Akhtyamov proved that he could be the leader the Marlies need and the Maple Leafs are holding him in high regard as someone who can step in once Anthony Stolarz and Sergei Bobrovsky move on so giving him a chance to reset and let Hlavaj take some games is a very smart choice.
John Chayka is making moves that are going to give the Maple Leafs a brand new look in the NHL but he's also got his hands all over the Marlies alongside Ryan Hardy, and it's clear the team wanted to aim for a repeat in 2026-27.
More details to come.
Do you think Vinni Lettieri deserves a spot with the Maple Leafs after his strong 2025-26 season with the Marlies?
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