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Maple Leafs Urged to Sign 'Elite Quarterback' Free Agent

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Aug 12, 2025 6:55 AM ET

The Toronto Maple Leafs may not be finished reshaping their roster after another postseason run was cut short last year with a second-round exit at the hands of back-to-back champions, the Florida Panthers.

One name being pushed into the conversation is that of veteran defenseman and current unrestricted free agent Matt Grzelcyk, most recently of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

With general manager Brad Treliving still exploring ways to fine-tune the lineup before the start of training camp next month and the Leafs having some financial flexibility, they could explore adding the blueliner.

Matt Grzelcyk Could Help Toronto's Power Play

In a recent story suggesting three potential targets Toronto should at least explore signing to a professional tryout (PTO) deal, Editor in Leaf's Edward Eng suggested the Maple Leafs pursue Craig Smith, Andreas Athanasiou, and most interestingly, Grzelcyk.

In signing the former Penguins' defenseman, Eng believes Toronto could boost the defense's offensive prowess.

"The Maple Leafs, for the most part, struggled with production from their blue liners last season, other than Morgan Rielly," Eng wrote. "Therefore, adding a potential puck-moving defenseman to enhance the Leafs’ offensive potential from the back end could do wonders for the club going forward."

Following that reasoning, Eng arrived at Grzelcyk as a perfect fit to solve Toronto's power-play woes and to quarterback the unit.

“Giving free agent defenseman Matt Grzelcyk a PTO should be a no-brainer," Eng wrote. "Grzelcyk could potentially be an elite quarterback on the power play for the Leafs."

As Eng noted, 15 of Grzelcyk's career-high 40 points last season came with the man advantage, but that's not been enough to allow him to secure a contract nearly a month and a half into free agency.

Maple Leafs' PTO Track Record and Work-In-Progress Roster

Toronto has had some reasonable success using PTOs in the recent past, landing the likes of Noah Gregor, Zachary Aston-Reese, and, most recently, Max Pacioretty last summer.

Eng believes the Leafs could secure a low-risk, high-reward addition in Grzelcyk, taking advantage of the rest of the NHL missing out on offering the veteran a deal.

“It is time for Toronto to jump in and take advantage of the stagnant market,” Eng wrote, adding that Grzelcyk’s presence could also push Rielly and bring an offensive improvement to the defense corps.

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

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