Your complete Maple Leafs coverage
Latest team news.Up-to-the-minute.
Blogs
Independent Maple Leafs opinion, analysis, history, and fan perspectives.
Maple Leafs Looking At PTO Market: 3 Potential Camp Invites
New general manager John Chayka hasn't been shy in making changes to the Toronto Maple Leafs roster this off-season. And something tells us he might not be done yet. As training camp quickly approaches in a few weeks, there are a number of under-the-radar unrestricted free agents still out on the market looking for a contract or an invite to camp. Andre Leal of The Hockey News has proposed three players that make sense for the Leafs to try to bring in on a PTO: Nick Blankenburg, D Chayka has been committed to improving the mobility on the back line for the Buds, with the likes of Darren Raddysh and Emil Andrae coming in. Blankenburg would fit that trend. The 28-year-old is an undrafted, gritty, undersized defenseman, but despite his slight stature (5'9", 177 lbs), Blankenburg plays a competitive and physical game in addition to being a capable puck-mover. He logged over 19 minutes of ice time for Nashville in 2024-25, and split last season between the Colorado Avalanche and Nashville Predators. Adam Boqvist, D Another blueliner who can skate and move the puck out of the defensive zone. Between an assortment of injuries and noted defensive deficiencies, the offensive d-man has never lived up to his No. 8 selection in the 2018 NHL Draft. He's never played more than 52 games in a season during his eight years in the league, and has only topped the 40-game mark three times. So expectations should be limited, but he'd still be a low-risk option on a PTO. Curtis Lazar, C Lazar could serve as some bottom-six insurance, particularly given the fact that new fourth-line center Teddy Blueger only played 35 games last season due to injuries and suffered setbacks in his recovery, as Leal notes. If injury troubles cropped up again, "Lazar wouldn't be a terrible candidate to fill that void, even with Steven Lorentz also on deck." Names are starting to come off the board this week as teams start to prepare their rosters for training camp. We should see more PTO signings in the days to come, and we expect the Leafs to be in the mix.
One player could leave the Maple Leafs chasing the Atlantic again
Connor Hellebuyck heading to the Buffalo Sabres would create an even bigger gap between them and the Maple Leafs than there already is in the Atlantic.
John Schneider confirms why Vladimir Guerrero Jr has yet to be pushed down the order
John Schneider explained exactly why he won't drop Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Could The Maple Leafs Use a Little More Youth on Defence?
Could The Maple Leafs Use a Little More Youth on Defence?
Morgan Rielly should still be traded, but only for Erik Karlsson
The Toronto Maple Leafs should still consider trading Morgan Rielly, but only if it means making a move on Erik Karlsson.
The first month will tell Leafs fans everything they need to know
The Toronto Maple Leafs' first month of the 2026-27 season will tell fans whether or not they are ready to compete or if it's going to be a repeat of last year.
Maple Leafs' goaltending could ruin their entire season
The Toronto Maple Leafs may need to show a little more concern with their current goalie situation than they have been heading into 2026-27
Connor Hellebuyck's trade request could trigger the bidding war Winnipeg needs
Connor Hellebuyck's public trade request could be Winnipeg's golden chance to ignite a bidding war and find the perfect rebuilding package.
Maple Leafs’ Artur Akhtyamov appears on Daily Faceoff’s Top 25 NHL-affiliated goalie prospects
Maple Leafs’ Artur Akhtyamov appears on Daily Faceoff’s Top 25 NHL-affiliated goalie prospects
With Gavin McKenna, the Maple Leafs must learn the same lesson the Devils did with Jack Hughes
Interestingly, the 2026-27 Toronto Maple Leafs have similar expectations as the New Jersey Devils did when they drafted Jack Hughes. They need to learn from that mistake.