The 2027 UFA class gives the Maple Leafs a reason not to force another Matthews-line fix

Toronto could enter 2027 free agency with a star-studded class in front of them but the real test for them is whether they stay flexible enough for Auston Matthews.

Also set to become free agents in 2027 include Sidney Crosby, Jason Robertson, Quinn Hughes, and Alex Debrincat so it's safe to say there's going to be some potential star power headed to July 1.

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While all of these players are eligible to be unrestricted free agents, it's more than likely the majority of players like Makar, Kucherov, and Hughes are going to extend with their current teams and Jim Nill said Robertson's contract will be discussed later.

As appealing as it would be to give Auston Matthews a boost (especially if this season fails expectations), the Maple Leafs can't get trapped of any of these player do become free agents.

Robertson's $12M deal shows the cost of 2027's star power

Granted, there are a lot of players that can help out the Maple Leafs but it's too pricey. Kucherov right now makes $9.5M which will no doubt increase, and Robertson signed a one-year, $12M deal in order to focus on this year and negotiate a bigger deal later on - but did so after a 45-goal, 96-point campaign.

Either of those players would be great additions up front meanwhile Makar is a franchise-altering defender who would immediately give Toronto a blueline threat that could help Matthews indirectly but isn't a cure for his right-wing needs.

But all of these players have created legacies where they currently are and it's hard to see teams like Tampa Bay and Colorado underpaying or refusing to pay for their cornerstones. Toronto would need to make immense amounts of room to cover for potential $15-18M AAV's so they'd need a severe strip down of any big contracts.

At that point, you're going to have even less room than the currently projected $6.75M cap space they'll have in 2027, and you need to worry about Matthews' future deal or any of the stars headed in 2028 like Connor McDavid - they have some flexibility but not nearly enough to sign a top star.

Toronto needs cap flexibility but can't get caught up in potential partnerships

Right now, Toronto doesn't have too many 'albatross' contracts as William Nylander's $11.5M salary is a fair price given his production, meanwhile Darren Raddysh's contract is a pretty good investment should he continue to build on his breakout year in 2025-26 but they do limit how much Toronto can add in terms of star power.

But they do have Morgan Rielly's $7.5M cap hit to deal with, and there are other contracts that could be moved like Max Domi ($3.75M), Dakota Joshua ($3.25M), and Chris Tanev ($4.5M) which would open up a lot of space and give the forward group a little less clutter.

You're also then down a shutdown defender in Tanev who is still great despite health concerns, and Rielly is defensively a liability, but still offers offence so that's potentially four holes needing filling.

Toronto would need to still spend money or find their replacements, which may be enough to sign perhaps one of those star names should they go to market, but little money to spend elsewhere though one positive is that Toronto has everyone locked up through 2027. So they have stability at the cost of being able to add a star.

If Matthews still doesn't get the help he needs this year, then Toronto may need to go back to the drawing board, but they can't head into the summer of 2027 trying to find the next partner for the captain. If he leaves, then that whole plan goes to waste, so as appealing it may be to bring in that elite complement to Matthews, he may not be around long enough for it to matter anyways.

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