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Maple Leafs sign depth forwards Travis Boyd, Benoit-Olivier Groulx, re-sign Dakota Mermis
Credit: © Nick Wosika-Imagn Images

The Toronto Maple Leafs didn’t make a big splash on Day 1 of free agency, but they added a fresh new batch of competition for roster spots.

After kicking off the day by signing former Montreal Canadiens tough guy Michael Pezzetta to a two-year contract, the team announced the signings of depth forwards Travis Boyd and Benoit-Olivier Groulx to one-year and two-year contracts, respectively. They also re-signed depth defenceman Dakota Mermis to a two-year extension.

Boyd was previously a member of the Maple Leafs in the COVID-shortened 2020-21 season where he recorded eight points in 20 games, but with the abundance of forwards they had that year, they ended up placing him on waivers. He was claimed by the Vancouver Canucks where he finished that season with two goals in 20 games. He then spent the next three seasons with the Arizona Coyotes where he emerged as a solid depth scorer, scoring 17 and 15 goals for 35 and 34 points in his first two seasons with the organization. He spent last season with the Minnesota Wild, but only appeared in three games for them.

Groulx, 25, is a French-born centre who has been with the Anaheim Ducks since they selected him in the second round of the 2018 draft. He played in 45 games for the Ducks in 2024-25 and only recorded two assists in 45 games, but found success with the AHL’s San Diego Gulls with 37 points in 47 games.

Mermis was signed as a depth option for the back end last season and was waived in December, being claimed by the Utah Mammoth. He was once again waived in January and subsequently re-claimed by the Maple Leafs. He appeared in three regular season games for the club last season, recording one assist, and put up seven assists in 32 games with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies.

General manager Brad Treliving spoke to the media following Day 1 of free agency and said the team’s primary focus was improving the top six. Since, naturally, there will always be people who complain about signings like these because they aren’t needle movers, it’s worth a reminder that every team makes moves like these – it’s important to have depth for the minors as well.

Free agency will continue on Wednesday with some intriguing players still available, including Nikolaj Ehlers, Andrew Mangiapane, and Pius Suter.

This article first appeared on TheLeafsnation and was syndicated with permission.

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