The Toronto Maple Leafs continued their offseason roster moves on Friday, bringing back a familiar face and adding new depth. After confirming the two-year signings of unrestricted free agent right winger Henrik Rybinski and defenceman Cole McWard, first reported by PuckPedia, the Leafs awarded one-year contracts to AHL-leading playoff scorer Vinni Lettieri and goaltender Samuel Hlavaj.
Lettieri Rewarded for Calder Cup Heroics
Lettieri, 31, was one of the few Toronto Marlies not called up to the Leafs during the final weeks of the regular season as the parent club faded from the playoff race. He posted 26 points in the postseason, leading the Marlies to the Calder Cup championship. The one-year deal serves as a reward for his outstanding performance, though the raft of UFA signings and trades earlier this week by new Leafs general manager John Chayka raises questions about how many of the high-achieving Marlies will earn a spot at the main training camp in September.
New Additions: Rybinski and McWard
Henrik Rybinski, a fifth-round pick of the Florida Panthers in 2019, joins from the AHL Hershey Bears. He signed a two-way contract for the upcoming season, which converts to a one-way $900,000 US deal in 2027-28. The Vancouver-born winger has yet to play in the NHL. Cole McWard, an undrafted 6-foot-2 defenceman, has appeared in nine NHL games with the Vancouver Canucks and New York Islanders and was part of the Abbotsford affiliate that won the 2025 Calder Cup. His contract is worth $850,000 this season, rising to $900,000 next season.
Hlavaj Fills Goaltending Gap
Samuel Hlavaj, 25, is well known to Leafs assistant general manager Judd Brackett from their time with the Minnesota Wild. The undrafted 6-foot-4 Slovak national has spent the past few seasons in the AHL and represented his country at the recent Milan Olympics. He is expected to serve as the Marlies' backup to Artur Akhtyamov, filling a void left by the trades of Joseph Woll and Dennis Hildeby.
According to Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun, the signings aim to bolster organizational depth, though competition for roster spots will be fierce at training camp.
