John Chayka heads into his first free-agency period as general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs with significant decisions to make and approximately $20.9 million US in salary cap space. The Leafs have holes to fill in goal and up front, with goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky and winger Mason Marchment emerging as key targets, according to sources.
Goaltending Options
The possibility of the 37-year-old Bobrovsky joining the Leafs grew on Tuesday when the Florida Panthers acquired goalie Jacob Markstrom in a trade with the New Jersey Devils, a day after Florida got netminder Akira Schmid from the Vegas Golden Knights. Markstrom and Schmid will form the new tandem in South Florida, potentially freeing Bobrovsky.
Bobrovsky would be the starter in Toronto if he signs, despite posting a career-low .877 save percentage in 52 games for the Panthers last season. His backup would be former Panthers teammate Anthony Stolarz, who has played well for the Leafs over the past two seasons but has never appeared in more than 34 games in one NHL season.
Other goaltending free agents include Frederik Andersen, Stuart Skinner, and Connor Ingram. If Bobrovsky signs elsewhere—for example, with the Devils, where he would reunite with former Panthers executive and new Devils GM Sunny Mehta—the Leafs would need to explore alternatives.
The status of Dennis Hildeby is also a factor. The Leafs are unlikely to place him on waivers to send him to the Toronto Marlies, as he would likely be claimed. Trading Hildeby and relying on Artur Akhtyamov, who had an MVP run for the Marlies en route to a Calder Cup title, is a possibility. Meanwhile, goalie prospect Patriks Plumins, selected by the Leafs in the fourth round of the 2026 NHL draft, was chosen by Chicoutimi in the Canadian Hockey League import draft.
Defensive Outlook
With the re-signing of Troy Stecher on Monday, the Leafs have seven NHL defencemen under contract, which will rise to eight once Emil Andrae, acquired from the Philadelphia Flyers, signs a new deal. Andrae was extended a qualifying offer on Monday. Darren Raddysh is on the right side of the top pairing, but the left side remains uncertain.
Morgan Rielly’s role is unclear if he is not traded. Oliver Ekman-Larsson could get a look on Raddysh’s left, and the second pair would be Jake McCabe and Chris Tanev, depending on Tanev’s health after playing just 11 games in 2025-26 and undergoing core muscle surgery. Philippe Myers will continue as a depth defenceman.
Free-agent possibilities on the blue line include Nick Blankenburg, Ian Cole, Ryan Shea, or Mario Ferraro. If the Leafs sign Bobrovsky and Marchment, bigger-ticket items such as Rasmus Andersson and Jacob Trouba are unlikely. Marlies defencemen Dakota Mermis, Marshall Rifai, and William Villeneuve could also be in the mix, while 20-year-old Ben Danford would likely benefit from a full season in the AHL.
Forward Configuration
The top six forwards are solid as currently constructed: Gavin McKenna with Auston Matthews and William Nylander, and Matthew Knies with John Tavares and Easton Cowan. McKenna, the first-overall pick, is expected to get a long look with Matthews. Matias Maccelli is no longer part of the equation after not being qualified, and Max Domi’s status is uncertain after complications from off-season surgery.
In the bottom six, Nick Robertson, Dakota Joshua, and Steven Lorentz are penciled in. Marchment has a “50-50” chance of signing with the Leafs, according to a source, and would slot in on the third line at worst, with potential to push for the top six.
Other forward free agents who could attract the Leafs include Patrick Kane, Viktor Arvidsson, and Oliver Bjorkstrand. The signing of any newcomer could knock Cowan to the third line, but the team’s view is to give Cowan a long look in the top six. Marlies forwards Jacob Quillan, Bo Groulx, and Michael Pezzetta will arrive at training camp with confidence after an impactful Calder Cup run. Ryan Tverberg, who had 14 points in 24 games during the Marlies’ championship run, is also a candidate.
