The Leafs Nation’s staff roundtable: 2026 Offseason primer

The offseason is in full swing, and the Toronto Maple Leafs have already been quite busy this past week with a flurry of moves.

The Leafs moved Joseph Woll and Simon Benoit to the Philadelphia Flyers for Emil Andrae, Samuel Ersson, and a third-round pick in an effort to free up the logjam in the crease. Then they made their long-awaited hire for the next head coach by bringing in Jim Hiller out of nowhere, with no prior indication that he was in the running. They ended the week by completing a blockbuster sign-and-trade with the Tampa Bay Lightning to acquire Darren Raddysh and sign him to an eight-year deal with an $8.5 million AAV.

It is only just the beginning of many moves to come for the Leafs, with trade rumours swirling around the likes of Morgan Rielly and Matthew Knies. They also have the draft this week, where they will have the first overall pick and will likely be adding Gavin McKenna to the mix. Couple that with free agency fast approaching, and there are plenty more things to come for the Leafs in the days ahead.

The Leafs Nation team came together to determine what the best plan of action is for the Leafs to take this summer and what they would like to see GM John Chayka get done. Without further delay, let’s get into the roundtable!

What do you think is the top priority for the Leafs to address this summer?

Arun Srinivasan, managing editor: Prior to the start of free agency, I would’ve argued for middle-six depth. Toronto has already revamped its blue line this summer. The calculus has changed entirely though, and if Zach Werenski is considering the Maple Leafs as a team where he’d sign a long-term extension, trying to acquire the reigning Norris Trophy winner has to be John Chayka’s No. 1 goal.

Alex Hobson, associate editor: If you asked me before Friday morning, I would have said adding a right-handed puck-moving defenceman. Now that they’ve solved that issue, it has to be a middle-six centre. A second-line centre to come in and take some weight off of John Tavares’ shoulders would be ideal, but given his ability to produce offensively, I’m sure they’d be able to make peace with a high-end middle six centre.

Michael Mazzei, writer and social media coordinator: Given the moves that the Leafs have made and are expected to make, the most pressing area of need at this stage is to add a middle-six centre in an effort to ease John Tavares’ workload. While it is clear that the ageless wonder will provide value in the later stages of his career, the Leafs would be wise to consider either moving him to the wing or to the third line as soon as possible. This will be addressed via trade, but it is something that would be a critical box checked if it is taken care of this offseason.

Jon Steitzer, editor: Now that Darren Raddysh has been brought in and Emil Andrae looks like interesting depth, I’d say finding a second line centre who can potentially bump John Tavares to the wing or push him down to the third line is the priority. It’s also going to be the most challenging position to address and hopefully the Leafs can do a bit better than Vincent Trocheck.

Dylan Nazareth, writer: Whether through free agency or the draft, the Leafs need to inject some youth into their blue line. Toronto’s defensive unit boasts decent size, but last season the group’s age really began to show. The addition of Darren Raddysh is a good first step to adding more offence to the blue line, but the Leafs are also in need of some speed and youth.

Michael Coyle, writer: I think the Toronto Maple Leafs’ top priority this off-season is to put last year’s failures behind them. With the first overall selection and the additions of defenceman Darren Raddysh and Emil Andrae, the Maple Leafs’ roster has already been improved from the group that played last season.

Who is your number 1 target for the Leafs to sign in free agency, assuming they make it to market?

Srinivasan: Patrick Kane is Gavin McKenna’s idol, and a ready-made winger for Toronto’s first line. There are concerns about Kane’s lack of defensive detail. Who cares! Showtime is a known quantity, and if he wants to join the Maple Leafs on a short-team, team-friendly deal, Toronto should pounce at adding another former first overall pick with a proven track record of winning.

Hobson: I’m not sure I have a number-1 target now that they’ve executed the trade and subsequent signing of Raddysh. The second-line centre hole is something I’d prefer they address via trade given the options available, but a reunion with Michael Bunting could be fun given his ability to play anywhere in a top-9.

Mazzei: Darren Raddysh would have been my answer prior to him being acquired via a sign-and-trade, as would have Alex Tuch before he was acquired by the Washington Capitals. My choice is Nick Blankenburg, and while he is on the smaller side, I like his two-way game and feel he would be a solid option to run the second power-play unit. He also shouldn’t cost that much relative to some of the other options that could be up for grabs on July 1.

Steitzer: In free agency I’d say that I’d prefer the Maple Leafs to bargain hunt rather than target big name options, but one of the bigger names available is Mario Ferraro who seems like a strong way of the getting the Leafs blueline a little younger and a little better.

Nazareth: I don’t know about number one target, but I’d love to see the Leafs try and bring Scott Laughton back to Toronto if the cost is low. Locker room leader who could play an important role in mentoring the team’s younger players entering the fold next season.

Coyle: The number one target for the Maple Leafs during this year’s free agent class is forward Mason Marchment. Marchment is coming off a season in which he picked up 45 points across 68 games and would be a nice addition to the Maple Leafs’ forward core that could use the fire that the 31-year-old brings to his game.

Which members of the Leafs would you feel most comfortable trading to address needs and why?

Srinivasan: Anyone but McKenna, Matthews or Nylander. Knies could be leveraged in a trade for Zach Werenski, otherwise I’m categorically against moving the 23-year-old star winger. But if there’s an avenue to land a franchise-altering superstar, everyone but McKenna and Matthews should be on the table.

Hobson: Anybody besides Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and Matthew Knies. I’d also avoid using the likes of Easton Cowan or Ben Danford unless they’re going out in exchange for NHL-ready youth.

Mazzei: Just about everyone besides the core group of players should be on the trade block, especially given the season the team just had.

Steitzer: There aren’t many Leafs I wouldn’t trade. Knies and Nylander are about as close as I have to untouchables, but everyone else, including Matthews is fair game.

Nazareth: The obvious trade candidate is Morgan Rielly, but that’s not one that is going to address many needs. Honestly, I think the Leafs should be open to offers on anyone except Auston Matthews (if they’re convinced he wants to stay long-term). Losing a player like Matthew Knies, for example, would sting, but his market value is high right now. He could bring in a solid haul to address some bigger needs and bolster the team’s future.

Coyle: With the recent additions of Raddysh and Andrae, I would feel most comfortable about moving on from a defenceman that is currently on the active roster. With an aging defensive core, I would see what a potential return looks like on Oliver Ekman-Larsson to continue to improve different parts of the roster.

Do you feel the Leafs should go big game hunting or target lesser-known names in free agency and why?

Srinivasan: Toronto has to be smart, and can make some clever value adds, but if Kane, Mason Marchment, Boone Jenner want to join the Maple Leafs, it could genuinely extend the win-now window, and posit the Maple Leafs as a contender again. That alone is worth it.

Hobson: Lesser-known names for sure, simply because this year’s free agency crop is not worth big game hunting in. Signing Darren Raddysh long-term already comes with risks (as much as the potential reward is worth it) and throwing a blank cheque at the likes of Alex Tuch or Rasmus Andersson doesn’t seem like something up Chayka’s alley.

Mazzei: Outside of targeting Tuch, the Leafs would be wise to focus their efforts on a lesser-known commodity because of how shallow the pool of talent is at the time of filing. The combination of the cap rising and teams desperate to make a splash on July 1 means we are destined to see massive overpays for the players who are left to be signed. Ideally, the Leafs are focused on signing Tuch as one of their last major moves of the summer and not the one move that has to be done.

Steitzer: Avoiding the big game hunt as much as possible seems like the way to go. In a world where Bobby McMann is getting almost $6M a season, it’s probably best to pump the brakes on free agents until the everyone else has spent their money. Either that or make trades with teams looking to shed some salary after overpaying on free agents. Trading is the way to go this offseason and I think John Chayka knows it.

Nazareth: With Gavin McKenna all but certainly on the way in, and a number of big contracts already on the books, the Leafs would be smart to avoid trying to buy high, and instead aim for lesser-known names with decent upside. The Leafs have long been criticized for being overpaid and underperforming, and Chayka has a chance to flip that narrative entering next season.

Coyle: With a weak free agent class, I think the Maple Leafs should avoid over-paying for the players at the top of the class and see how you can fill out other needs that can help the Maple Leafs be more competitive in the highly contested Atlantic Division.

What would constitute a successful offseason for John Chayka?

Srinivasan: He’s already having one! McKenna landed in his lap, but he revamped the blue line, acquired Darren Raddysh, continues to shed salary and received universal praise for his first draft as Maple Leafs’ GM. Now go and land Werenski!

Hobson: A middle-six centre, possibly another top-six winger, and the selection of Gavin McKenna would make me very comfortable with Chayka at the helm going into next season. If we want to dream, a young second-line centre to the effect of Mason McTavish or Elias Petterson would be incredible, but getting those holes filled one way or another would be enough to call it a success.

Mazzei: There is a lot that needs to be done for Chayka to have a successful first offseason as GM of the Leafs. He has already done a lot in the last few days, but he still needs to nail the first overall pick, add more mobility on the back end, and acquire a middle-six centre. Combine that with making the team a little bit younger, and it is clear that Chayka has his work cut out of him to get the team in a position to bounce back.

Steitzer: Chayka and the Maple Leafs have chosen the win now path which is definitely the tougher path compared to rebuilding. A successful offseason isn’t just putting the Maple Leafs back in the playoffs but building a roster that makes the Maple Leafs look like contenders. Darren Raddysh and Gavin McKenna aren’t enough to say the Maple Leafs are there, so he’ll be busy.

Nazareth: Clear cap space and inject some youth and energy into this team.

Coyle: I think getting Gavin McKenna at number one overall to go along with Raddysh has given general manager John Chayka a great start in his first offseason with the Maple Leafs.

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