The Leafs Nation’s staff roundtable: Key expiring contracts, dream target, and confidence in Brad Treliving

The offseason frenzy is fast approaching, and that means we will soon get a resolution on some business that has been percolating for months.

Whether that be a marquee free agent signing, a big trade, or anything in between, there is no telling what will lie ahead in the days leading up to and surpassing July 1st. The Toronto Maple Leafs are no exception and there is plenty of big business that needs to be sorted out.

That’s why The Leafs Nation team came together to do a roundtable discussing the big business at hand for GM Brad Treliving to conduct. Without further delay, let’s get into the roundtable!

Should Matthew Knies get a bridge deal or a long-term extension and why?

Arun Srinivasan, managing editor: Knies signing a long-term extension should absolutely be the end goal for the Maple Leafs. He’s an ascending power forward, he’s still a few years away from his prime at 22, it would send a message that the Maple Leafs internally reward their players and he’s simply too good to pass up. Don’t let history repeat itself: sign Knies to an eight-year deal worth $8 million annually, and watch it appreciate as the salary cap rises in the coming years.

Alex Hobson, associate editor: Long term extension 100000% of the time. Signing him to a bridge might benefit the Leafs in the interim, but if they’re serious about maintaining a competitive window, they won’t do themselves any favours by putting off the tough negotiations by 2 or 3 years.

Michael Mazzei, writer and social media coordinator: It would be too risky to give Knies a bridge deal at this stage because there is a good chance it will result in a more expensive contract down the line. The long-term deal would be in the Leafs best interest now and down the line, especially given that this will be the last year that players are eligible to sign eight-year contracts. Utilizing that avenue if possible or close to it would do them a lot of favours and not set up a scenario where they are priced out of Knies.

Jon Steitzer, editor: Which ever one is cheaper (likely the bridge deal.) If Matthew Knies is looking to go long term and it seems like he’s taking a potential shave off his cap hit in order to get term, you consider that, but ultimately the Leafs are better off with the bargain bridge deal. With the age of the Leafs and the Matthews window closing, saving money on Knies now to use in other places on the roster makes more sense than getting a great price four years from now when the Maple Leafs could very well be rebuilding again.

Who would be your dream target for the Leafs this offseason and why?

Srinivasan: It has to be Brad Marchand. The Marner ship has evidently sailed, and Marchand is the player that best constitutes a DNA change for the Maple Leafs. A trade for Bowen Byram would be easier to stomach but Marchand shows up in the clutch, he can play throughout the lineup, he’s a veteran leader and he played some excellent hockey throughout the playoffs. Marchand on a three-year deal is a dream scenario.

Hobson: It’s hard to ignore all the noise around Tomas Hertl in Vegas lately, especially with the coinciding Mitch Marner rumours surrounding Vegas. I don’t know how they would make it work, whether it’s through a sign-and-trade for Marner’s rights or whether it’s a separate entity (that’s why I write for a hockey website and aren’t an NHL GM) but if we’re talking dream targets, who says they need to be logical?

Mazzei: This would be more of a pipe-dream, but Nikolaj Ehlers could be a great get to help improve the offence. He is good to put up at least 50 points or more during a productive season and has had relatively consistent results throughout his time with the Winnipeg Jets. Getting him wouldn’t address their primary needs of centre and an additional defenceman, but I would imagine a lot of Leafs fans would be happy if Ehlers inked a deal to don the Blue and White.

Steitzer: Looking at free agency, I’d say Aaron Ekblad would be the biggest difference maker available. That being said, difference makers are expensive, and I think you get a lot of the best Ekblad attributes out of Ryan Lindgren at half the price. In free agency I’d look at Lindgren, but if the Leafs best move comes through free agency, I don’t think the Maple Leafs are in good shape for 2025-26. This off season needs to be about getting creative in the trade market and while I’m not going to guess at who could possibly be available, I’d say the dream target is a 2nd line centre that either pushes Tavares down to 3C or Toronto essentially rolls what look like two second lines.

Brad Treliving said he wants to change the DNA of the Leafs this offseason. How confident are you that he will be able to achieve that goal?

Srinivasan: It depends on what constitutes a DNA change. Marner’s departure can’t be the only change, and it may be tough to change overnight. Marchand and Aaron Ekblad would constitute DNA changes, but they seem almost certain to re-sign with the Panthers. So I guess I’d say I’m semi-confident?

Hobson: Treliving spoke lots about wanting to give their defensive corps a different look, and he did. He signed Chris Tanev and Oliver Ekman-Larsson to multi-year deals and brought in Brandon Carlo at the deadline. Whether the Leafs deliver on the DNA side of things remains to be seen, but damn it Brad is going to try!

Mazzei: I am confident that Treliving will look at every avenue possible because he has established a reputation of getting involved in every sweepstake. As far as what I would presume he would be able to accomplish, a Brad Marchand signing would certainly represent the DNA change, assuming he makes it to market. The same goes for Aaron Ekblad or Bowen Byram, though those two are less likely. I guess I will need to see how the offseason unfolds first, but I am on the fence that Treliving will be able to fully achieve his vision.

Steitzer: DNA is the buzzword that was the next logical progression when talking about Toronto’s “identity issues” and given the ambiguous nature of what the Leafs are looking to change, it’s too subjective to say if they will achieve that goal or not. Not bringing back Marner is already a huge “DNA” overhaul and Brad Treliving has shown he is one of the best GMs in the league at losing star talent off his roster, so I have all the confidence in the world he’ll achieve that part of his goal. Whether what he builds next is good or not, I can’t say that I feel particularly confident in his vision there.