Maple Leafs qualify five restricted free agents

With Knies already being re-signed, Hildeby, Robertson, and Villeneuve are the most noteworthy. While both Roni Hirvonen and Topi Niemela will be playing the 2025-26 season overseas in Europe, by extending qualifying offers to them, the Maple Leafs retain their NHL rights until they reach the age of unrestricted free agency. Toronto did this last season with Semyon Der-Arguchintsev, and there hasn’t been any word of whether or not the Leafs will continue to retain his rights as well.

Most notably, the Maple Leafs did not qualify Pontus Holmberg, and as such, he will become an unrestricted free agent on Tuesday. That doesn’t negate the Maple Leafs attempting to sign him, but they certainly did not wish to enter arbitration with him and risk a high contract reward. Dennis Hildeby and Nicholas Robertson are both arbitration-eligible.

Nick Robertson could be an interesting arbitration case as goals typically translate to larger paydays, and Robertson being a consistent 15-goal scorer could result in a tough contract for the Leafs.

Pontus Holmberg had 19 points in 68 games for the Maple Leafs last season while averaging just under 13 minutes a night. His responsibilities were primarily in the bottom-six forward group, but he would do some second-line spot duty as injuries required him to move up in the lineup.

In addition to Holmberg not receiving a qualifying offer, the other players of note without a qualifying offer are Cedric Pare, Mikko Kokkonen, and Reese Johnson. It is unlikely that the Leafs will pursue these players any further, and they will test free agency.