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Three heavy targets perfectly match the exact Maple Leafs roster blueprint Darren Dreger just dropped


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Charlie McAfee
April 24, 2026  (2:46 PM)
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Washington Capitals right wing Tom Wilson (43) stretches during the warmup before a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena.
Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images

Darren Dreger revealed the potential game plan for the Maple Leafs this offseason and there's a trio of players who fit the bill to a tee.

As the Maple Leafs come to a decision when it comes to their new GM, once that is in place, next comes the unenviable task of dealing with the roster and getting some new faces in while cutting dead weight in the process.
It's about bringing in the right people, and there's a lot of work to do from the blueline to the top-six, and perhaps even making sure they have enough veteran goaltending to keep them afloat.

Toronto wants to get heavier while adding mobility on the backend

There's a lot to do, though the team may already have game plan in mind.
Darren Dreger gave a bit of insight as to what they are going to do, and it involves making sure they add some more bite behind their bark and ensuring the blueline is more than stable:
We're not talking about just a couple of pieces, we're talking about bigger, stronger players up front with a little bit more bite, you're talking about a couple of defenseman added...including puck movers.

Dreger never named anyone and there are several players who could fit the bill, but for the Maple Leafs there is a trio of veterans who could end up bringing them the help they need.

How Tom Wilson, Roman Josi, and Dougie Hamilton can transform the Maple Leafs lineup

Look, it does sound absolutely crazy to find all three men on the Maple Leafs but there is a case to be made that it could be done.
Up front, Dreger said the team wanted to add some more bite, and you can't get any more vicious than Wilson. Sure, there are reservations about his dstyle of play but you have to admit it's wildly effective.
Wilson, 32, had his second straight 30-goal season and in addition to that added a ton of that aggressiveness and physicality he's known for. He had 62 points, 179 hits and 117 PIM. He's someone who loves to get nasty, isn't afraid of anyone, and can turn the tide of a game with his fists as much as his stick.
He earns $6.5-million for the next five seasons, and while it's a huge coup to acquire him, a combination of draft picks, prospects and perhaps a player like Nick Robertson would be enough.
Plus, if you want to prove to Auston Matthews that you are serious about protecting him, adding a guy who would probably go to the hospital if it meant protecting his captain — it's the perfect way to keep him around.
With Washington at a crossroads with Alex Ovechkin's future, if he leaves then it may be a roster overhaul and that's music to Toronto's ears.
The next two are going to seriously improve the back end and give Toronto not only the puck-movers they need, but also give their defence a fighting chance.
Josi, 35, only has two years left on his contract and still put up a very good season with 55 points and 101 blocks in 68 games. He's absolutely absolve to quarterback the team still, and is a stark improvement over Morgan Rielly.
He and Jake McCabe together would create a defensive pair that is not only offensively sound but one that could give opponents a serious headache.
Hamilton, 32, has been linked to the Maple Leafs for months and though he struggled this season, there is a chance he could still be impactful even not as a #1.
If Josi is in tow, the team could easily slide Hamilton into the mix and put him alongside someone like Oliver Ekman-Larsson, or even Brandon Carlo and see if having Hamilton allows Carlo to relax a little bit knowing he doesn't have to do everything.
With the Maple Leafs having a bunch of money already coming off the books, with presumably a large chunk being dealt away as well; there's a chance they can afford all three so long as they get a bit lucky (aka salary retention).
This isn't a rebuild, but a retool and reimagining of their philosophy. Yes, adding veterans seems to laugh in the face of their prospects but if it brings them a Stanley Cup; will it even matter?
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Three heavy targets perfectly match the exact Maple Leafs roster blueprint Darren Dreger just dropped

Who do you think Toronto should target this offseason?


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