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Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving Confirmed to be on the Verge of Signing Another Young Player

Originally posted on Maple Leafs Daily | By TJ Tucker | Last updated Mar 21, 2025 12:32 PM ET

According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, Leafs GM Brad Treliving is not done with the free agency market, and has a specific piece in mind for his next signing.

After adding to the lineup for the present at the trade deadline, Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving set his sights on the future this week, adding to their defensive depth by signing 6'3 college free agent John Prokop to an entry-level deal.

The move comes after two first-round picks were traded away at the deadline, as well as prospects Nikita Grebenkin, and Fraser Minten.

Moves like that require an organization to restock the shelves of their prospect cupboards, and Sportsnet Insider Elliotte Friedman believes Treliving will continue to scour the college free agent market for another specific piece.

In this case, Friedman believes the Maple Leafs are looking for a centre.

'John Prokop is a nice bet for Toronto. The Maple Leafs just traded two first-rounders and two prospects for Brandon Carlo and Scott Laughton. You need to fill your prospect pool. They aren't done with free-agent shopping, trying for a centre.'

As for who Treliving may be eyeing, Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli recently listed the top free agents available in the NCAA, with Luke Haymes taking the top spot. It also doesn't hurt that Haymes attended last year's Toronto Maple Leafs development camp.

'A junior for the Big Green, Haymes attended development camp with the Toronto Maple Leafs last year, where he impressed observers with his scoring ability. The Ottawa native has really come out of nowhere to burst onto the scene. It's been a tough year for Haymes, missing time due to injury, but Elite Prospects says he is producing at the college level like a Top 64-drafted prospect.'

Treliving may have found a diamond in the rough as 2023 sixth-round pick Noah Chadwick is now projected to become a full-time NHL defenceman.

Despite that, Treliving knows a GM's work is never done as you always need to have one eye on the present, and another on the future.

This article first appeared on Maple Leafs Daily and was syndicated with permission.

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