The Toronto Maple Leafs were expected to be one of the more active teams in free agency. The chatter regarding Norris Trophy winner Zach Werenski increased on Tuesday night, when it was reported that he blocked a trade to the Dallas Stars and that Tampa Bay and Toronto were on his wish list as possible destinations, but that news and the trade of winger Nick Robertson to the Pittsburgh Penguins for a 2028 fourth-round pick served only as the appetizer of a multi-course meal served up by GM John Chayka.
Signings
Jack Roslovic – Two years @ $4 million: This was a signing that was rumored last summer, but as usual GM Brad Treliving could not pull the trigger on it. Roslovic scored 20 goals the last two seasons with Carolina and Edmonton, can play center or wing, and is a right-handed shot. It appears that he provides some Max Domi insurance if he cannot return next season.
Colton Sissons – Two years @ $4.25 million: The 32-year-old center is a faceoff specialist and defensive center, and was dealt to Vegas after playing his first 11 seasons in Nashville. Sissons can play both center and wing and is likely a fit for the Leafs fourth line.
Teddy Blueger – Two years @ $2.5 million: The 31-year-old veteran played only 35 games for Vancouver last season, but is known as an excellent penalty killer (three of his nine goals were while short-handed).
Brandon Duhaime – Three years @ $2.6 million: A big, physical winger, Duhaime had 122 penalty minutes as a rookie with Minnesota in 2021-22, and has been over 70 PIM’s the last three seasons between Minnesota, Colorado, and the Washington Capitals. A needed add for the physical Atlantic Division.
Sergei Bobrovsky – Three years @ $7 million: The future Hall of Famer has made 50 or more starts the last five seasons, and one of the main reasons why the Florida Panthers reached the Cup Final three consecutive seasons, but $7 million on a 37-year-old goalie is a big risk. The only concern is whether he can bounce back from a subpar season with the Panthers and return to form.
Trade
Nick Paul from Tampa Bay for Dennis Hildeby, a 2027 fourth-round pick, and a 2028 third-round pick: Another big-body forward (6’4″, 234 lb.) who can play center or wing, Paul averaged over 20 goals three straight years before a down campaign last season. The 31-year-old Mississauga, ON native has three more seasons at $3.15 million, at the cost of Hildeby, who was excellent last season, but would’ve had to clear waivers to go down to the American Hockey League and had lost his role as presumptive goalie of the future to Artur Akhtyamov.
