David Kirouac-Imagn Images

Maple Leafs Linked to Pending Free Agent Forwards from Two Canadian Teams

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Jun 25, 2025 9:58 AM ET

With uncertainty hanging over Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner’s future with the franchise, NHL insiders Greg Wyshynski and Kristen Shilton of ESPN proposed a solution to fill Marner's vacated role if he ends up leaving.

According to the two insiders, the Maple Leafs could be eyeing veteran free-agent forwards such as the Ottawa Senators' Claude Giroux and the Vancouver Canucks' Pius Suter.

The Leafs enter the offseason with over $25.7 million in cap space and two major question marks in Marner and fellow unrestricted free agent John Tavares.

"Sam Bennett appears determined to stay in Florida. Toews and Matt Duchene have signed elsewhere," the report reads. "Beyond Tavares, the Leafs are looking at Mikael Granlund, Pius Suter, or perhaps Claude Giroux."

NHL draft buzz: How Blackhawks, Isles, Predators could shake up first round https://t.co/RkuHY9L9ww pic.twitter.com/S828hcQGEZ
— ESPN Chicago (@ESPN1000) June 23, 2025

Giroux, 37 and a seven-time All-Star with 1,116 career points, is coming off a 50-point season and remains in contract talks with the Senators.

According to the Ottawa Citizen, there's mutual interest between player and team in a reunion this offseason.

Shilton and Wyshynski also pointed to Suter as a fit for Toronto’s third-line center role. The 29-year-old is coming off a career-high 46 points with Vancouver and is expected to earn a salary raise.

According to NHL insider Rick Dhaliwal, the Canucks might be open to bring the forward back to Vancouver next season.

"I believe the Canucks have reconnected with Pius Suter’s camp in the last 24 hours," Dhaliwal said. "I believe contract talks are back on."

Daily Faceoff projects Suter to sign a four-year, $20 million contract this offseason, and the outlet has Giroux signing a two-year, $10.4 million contract.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: