It’s a summer of change for the Toronto Maple Leafs as they look to pick up the pieces from a season that’s best left in the rearview mirror.
In came John Chayka as the new general manager, while franchise icon Mats Sundin joined as Senior Executive Advisor of Hockey Operations. One of their first moves was firing head coach Craig Berube, with more roster and staff changes expected as the organization attempts to rebuild into a contender.
But make no mistake, the Leafs currently appear in danger of being left behind by the rest of the pack next season. In fact, one insider is already warning Toronto that their division rivals, the Buffalo Sabres, could make a blockbuster move involving a $59.5 million Team USA star.
Maple Leafs Put on Notice as Buffalo Emerges as a Threat
The Sabres’ 2025–26 season was a true, blue turnaround. After an NHL-record 14-year playoff drought, they finally broke through under returning head coach Lindy Ruff. Buffalo went from the bottom of the standings to winning the Atlantic Division before falling in a tough seven-game second-round loss to the Montreal Canadiens.
Now, NHL insider Jeff Marek suggests the Sabres could take another big step this summer by going after Team USA goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, who is in the second year of his seven-year, $59.5 million contract with the Winnipeg Jets.
“Are the Buffalo Sabres in a place right now where they need to take a massive swing?” Marek questioned. “Are they a legitimate, consistent playoff team? Then, is it time to address one major concern for the Buffalo Sabres and bring in a significant netminder and pay a significant price for it? And if so, could that person be Connor Hellebuyck?”
There is speculation that the Jets could consider moving Hellebuyck after the goalie expressed frustration following their season-ending loss, stating, “What we did this year was unacceptable. No one wants to be part of that.”
Marek also floated the idea that a deal could require a major piece like Owen Power to make the money and value work for Winnipeg, noting how difficult it becomes to balance winning now with long-term assets once a team reaches contender status.
He also issued a warning to the rest of the Atlantic Division, making it clear that Buffalo’s rise should not be taken lightly.
“We all believe, like I think most of us do, that Buffalo’s not going anywhere. That is a playoff team,” Marek said. “Attention Bruins, attention Tampa, Florida, Toronto, everybody, the Buffalo Sabres have arrived.”
If Buffalo were to land a gold-medal-winning goaltender like Hellebuyck, who helped Team USA capture gold at the 2026 Milan Winter Olympics, it would only strengthen an already surging roster by eliminating its biggest weakness.
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For the Maple Leafs, it signals growing pressure within the Atlantic Division.
While Toronto is trying to find firm ground after a difficult season, Buffalo’s rapid rise could make an already competitive division even tougher in the years ahead.
