Maple Leafs recall William Villeneuve from Toronto Marlies

William Villeneuve has been recalled by the Toronto Maple Leafs from the AHL’s Toronto Marlies, the team announced Wednesday.

Villeneuve has recorded three goals and 18 points in 40 games with the Marlies this season, leading all defencemen in scoring. He previously recorded four goals and 40 points in 55 games during the 2024-25 campaign, before registering two assists in two playoff games. Although the 23-year-old has never played an NHL game, he may be afforded a chance to make his Maple Leafs debut, as the team recovers from a wave of injuries. Chris Tanev is expected to resume skating, Morgan Rielly is expected to return to the lineup and the Maple Leafs are mapping out their short-term trajectory ahead of the trade deadline, where several players could potentially be on the move.

Villeneuve is a right-shot defenceman, who can move the puck, provide some secondary offensive contributions and could be a good option for a retooling Maple Leafs ahead of the 2026-27 campaign. Toronto needs to round out its under-25 core, with Matthew Knies as the lone established pillar, and Easton Cowan cementing his place as a long-term staple on the roster.

The Leafs Nation ranked Villeneuve as the ninth-best prospect in the organization last summer. He has steadily ascended through the organizational ranks after being selected in the fourth round of the 2020 NHL Draft by the Maple Leafs. Villeneuve signed a one-year, two-way contract extension with the Maple Leafs in August.

Toronto resumed practicing Tuesday, and will hold another practice Wednesday, before taking on the Tampa Bay Lightning on February 25. Villeneuve could receive an opportunity to make his NHL debut against a Lightning team that has emerged as the class of the conference. Toronto will then take on the Florida Panthers, before closing out February with a home date against the Ottawa Senators.