Free agency opens in just over a week from today. With multiple big names across the league becoming unrestricted free agents, franchises will be looking to rebuild their rosters in hopes of strengthening their playoff chances. One team currently undergoing this phase is the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Top players like Mitch Marner and John Tavares face uncertain futures as pending UFAs, creating significant questions about the franchise’s direction. Multiple reports suggest that the franchise wants to revamp its team this summer, and fans could be looking at a dramatically different roster.
One team that the Maple Leafs have reportedly shown interest in is the 2025 Stanley Cup Champions, the Florida Panthers, with Brad Marchand topping their wish list.
Maple Leafs Could Target Brad Marchand and Other Florida Panthers Forwards
While Marner has been their chief point producer, there’s no doubt that the Leafs want a new forward who can score goals and provide physical presence. With the trio of Aaron Ekblad, Sam Bennett, and Brad Marchand all becoming UFAs, the Leafs could pursue any or all of them.
NHL Insider and writer Nick Kypreos wrote, “There is talk the Leafs may shoot for the moon and make offers to Panthers free agents Brad Marchand, Sam Bennett, and Aaron Ekblad with hopes to land one or two of them.” But Kypreos acknowledges that signing all three would be challenging.
The Maple Leafs currently have approximately $25 million in cap space. With six roster spots left to fill for their 23-man roster, managing the salary cap could prove complex. Marchand, despite his age, was sensational in the playoffs, which has pushed his expected contract value to upwards of $6.5 million annually.
Meanwhile, Sam Bennett also commands around the $6 million mark, though sources indicate that GM Bill Zito would prefer to retain him. Bennett himself has stated that he loves playing with the South Florida organization. Given these factors, securing Ekblad becomes more complicated.
Kypreos mentions, “The key to an Ekblad offer will likely hinge on the Leafs’ ability to get out from under Morgan Rielly’s no-move clause.” Rielly is currently on an eight-year deal with the Maple Leafs carrying an AAV of $7.5 million. His contract includes modified no-trade protection starting July 1, 2028, when he can submit a 10-team no-trade list.
In other words, if they want to sign at least Ekblad and Marchand, they’ll need to address Rielly’s contract situation first. Acquiring Bennett would be even more challenging, but the Leafs would pursue all three if possible. Marchand, however, with his 10 playoff goals and 10 assists, remains their primary target for the summer.
