Free Agent Signings Make Toronto Better

Free Agent acquisitions on Day 1 of the NHL’s free agency period have made the Toronto Maple Leafs a better team. General manager John Chayka and Senior Adviser Mats Sundin knew what needed to be done, and they went out and did it.

As of Thursday morning, the Maple Leafs are the heaviest (209 Lbs. Average) and second tallest (6’2″) team in the NHL. More importantly, they are faster and more experienced. Chayka added free agents who skate well and are hard to play against.

Toronto’s bottom six has been completely reshaped. The additions of Nick Paul, Teddy Blueger, Colton Sissons, and Brandon Duhaime show that Chayka wants the Maple Leafs to have a more defensively responsible bottom six. Before free agency, many were wondering if Toronto could compete against a team like the Florida Panthers.

The Panthers are a team full of “Rats,” with Sam Bennett, Brady and Matthew Tkachuk, and Brad Marchand. Florida added Radko Gudas to their blueline as well. I think what Toronto is doing to its lineup can go toe to toe with the Panthers or any team. Chayka, Sundin, and new head coach Jim Hiller will not tolerate being pushed around.

Free Agents Improve Many Areas of Toronto’s Lineup

Not only are the Maple Leafs bigger, meaner, faster, and more experienced, but their faceoff winning percentage is improving as well. Here is a look at last season’s FO% for the Maple Leafs’ current players after Day 1 of free agency.

Auston Matthews: 59.7%
John Tavares: 57.6%
Colton Sissons: 56.5%
Nick Paul: 53.9%
Jack Roslovic: 53.0%

It’s no secret that the more faceoffs you win, the more your team controls the puck. Toronto should have good puck control and time-on-attack numbers this season. The additions to the bottom-six are an upgrade to the penalty kill too.

Adding Darren Raddysh to the blueline will help with puck movement, and he can score from the point on the power play. Toronto has been needing a shot like his on their power play for years. We also can’t count out the addition of the first overall pick from the 2026 NHL draft. Gavin McKenna will be a nice addition to the Maple Leafs’ top six.

Last, but not least, the Maple Leafs have a wildcard in Sergei Bobrovsky. Toronto signed the 37-year-old to a three-year deal. Yes, he had a disappointing season last year, but so did his entire Panthers team. Bobrovsky took Florida to back-to-back Stanley Cup victories in 2024 and 2025. That is a lot of games played.

The Maple Leafs are hoping the free agent signing will work out and he’ll help them get over the hump come playoff time. He will work in tandem with Anthony Stolarz (His Florida teammate in 2024) to lessen the workload for both goaltenders.

Leafs Add McWard and More Moves Coming?

The Maple Leafs announced the signing of right-shooting defenseman Cole McWard on Thursday. The 25-year-old is signing for two years with an $875,000 salary cap hit. He will earn $850,000 in year one, and $900,000 in year two. The new deal is a one-way contract, but McWard is expected to play in the AHL with the Toronto Marlies.

There is still some speculation that Morgan Rielly could be traded. Good news for Chayka is the fact that Edmonton was able to trade Darnell Nurse ($9.25 million) without retaining any salary. If Toronto can move Rielly ($7.5 million) with no salary retention, then I expect Chayka to target a top-six forward.

The best top six free agent options are Patrick Kane, Claude Giroux, Anthony Mantha, and Vladimir Tarasenko.