4 free agents Maple Leafs should considering signing to a PTO

NHL training camps are just around the corner and while most of the free-agent market has signed on with a team by now, there’s still a few players who are looking to land a professional tryout agreement (PTO). The Toronto Maple Leafs have had success converting PTO’s to one-year contracts, as Max Pacioretty and Steven Lorentz both inked deals with the Leafs after strong camps last season.

Heading into 2025-26 training camp, while most of their lineup appears pretty close to set in stone, the Maple Leafs should consider bringing in these four free agents on PTO’s:

Matt Grzelcyk

It’s very surprising that Grzelcyk has not signed on with a team yet this offseason as he’s coming off a career year. The 31-year-old recorded one goal, and 39 assists for 40 points in 81 games with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2024-25. The veteran blueliner is no stranger to the Maple Leafs after spending close to a decade with the Boston Bruins, and he’s no stranger to running a power play, which he could be given a chance to do on the first unit with the Maple Leafs.

Morgan Rielly doesn’t have the offensive instincts required, Oliver Ekman-Larsson is Toronto’s second best option, and meanwhile, Grzelcyk could step in and force head coach Craig Berube’s hand with a strong training camp and preseason. The Leafs’ defence core is very crowded, as everyone is returning from who dressed in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and there’s also Henry Thrun and Matt Benning in the mix. Regardless, that doesn’t mean there isn’t a need for some more internal competition, because let’s say Grzelcyk comes in, has a strong camp and wins a spot, the Leafs could use their depth on defence to pull off a trade, and fill a gap up front before the start of the season.

Robby Fabbri

Talk about bad luck, Fabbri has had a bunch with three different ACL surgeries throughout his career. The 29-year-old former first-round pick is from Mississauga, and played a combined 42 games for Berube on the Blues’ Stanley Cup winning team in 2018-2019. Fabbri is coming off a 44-game season with the Anaheim Ducks, in which he posted eight goals and eight assists, averaging 16:12 of ice-time, including time spent on the Ducks’ second power play unit.

Fabbri could push the likes of Nick Robertson and Easton Cowan for a roster spot, and also has experience filling in at centre, which could give the Maple Leafs some more middle-six depth at the position, and allow for Berube to get very creative with his roster. It was only two years ago when Fabbri scored 18 goals in 68 games with the Detroit Red Wings, there’s no denying when healthy, he’s a legit offensive threat.

The Maple Leafs may be in tough to win Fabbri over with the opportunity, just based on how many ties he has to the Ottawa Senators organization, but regardless, they should be reaching out to see if he’s interested in attending training camp on a tryout.

Max Pacioretty

Why not run it back? Pacioretty has been busy coaching his son’s hockey team this summer and appears to be training for another NHL season, but where exactly that winds up being, is the question. The Maple Leafs saw a different side of Pacioretty last season, as the veteran winger has done a great job transforming his game in the later stages of his career.

Pacioretty showed out in the playoffs and was one of the Leafs’ better forwards, so there’s certainly a chance to bring him back on a PTO, and give him a chance to win a spot for this season. He finished the year with 13 points in 37 games, and an impressive 104 hits. He’s capable of playing a checking role, which makes him slightly more attractive in that space considering he’s 6-foot-2, than someone like a Robertson or Cowan, who aren’t suited for a shut-down line.

Pacioretty appears to be interested in playing this season, which likely could be his last as he turns 37 in November. However, the Maple Leafs will have some competition from the Red Wings, and also the Edmonton Oilers, who have been linked to Pacioretty all summer.

James Reimer

Why not? Reimer has yet to sign an NHL contract this summer, and the 37-year-old should considering coming back to Toronto to finish out his career. Yes, the Maple Leafs have a strong tandem with Joseph Woll and Anthony Stolarz, but adding Reimer to the mix would give them an experienced third stringer who likely would see some action before we know it, considering the injury troubles of both Woll and Stolarz.

The Maple Leafs inked Dennis Hildeby to a three-year extension, but adding Reimer, which eventually could be a two-way deal, would give Toronto more depth at the position, and allow for them to slow play their other two goaltending prospects. With the Marlies being in town, it’s an easy set up for going back and forth between the two franchises, and with Reimer’s familiarity with Toronto, there’s certainly a sliver of chance it appeals to him and his family.

Reimer went 10-10-2 combined last season between the Buffalo Sabres and Anaheim Ducks, including one shutout, and a 2.85 goals against average in 22 games with Buffalo. His best days are behind him, but it wouldn’t hurt to have a veteran security blanket in Toronto’s crease in case someone goes down at training camp, or during the preseason. We’ve seen the Leafs make similar moves bringing in Martin Jones and Matt Murray in the past, so history could repeat itself heading into this season’s training camp.