The Toronto Maple Leafs are going to likely be exclusively in the free agent market for forwards this summer, with the departure of Mitch Marner to parts unknown and the possibility of bottom-sixers like David Kampf, Nick Robertson, Ryan Reaves, and Calle Jarnkrok, as well as the uncertain status of pending UFA’s John Tavares and Steven Lorentz.
There is an expectation that GM Brad Treliving will be able to get a deal done with Tavares — who scored 38 goals last season — and Lorentz, who was a consistent performer on the L Ryan Reaves, and Calle Jarnkrok, as well as the uncertain status of pending UFA’s John Tavares and Steven Lorentz.
There is an expectation that GM Brad Treliving will be able to get a deal done with Tavares — who scored 38 goals last season — and Lorentz, who was a consistent performer on the Leafs fourth line, but it will be up to Treliving to find cost-effective additions in the bottom half of Toronto’s forward complement that will enable him to spend bigger money to replace Marner in the top-six.
Over the next few weeks leading up to July 1, we will take a look at a few players who might be fits for one reason or another for Toronto.
Andrew Mangiapane
Mangiapane like Brandon Tanev, is a veteran winger and a Toronto native, but offers a more offensive skill set, which might make him attractive as an addition with the certainty that Marner is leaving. Drafted in 2015 from the OHL’s Barrie Colts in the sixth round by Treliving in Calgary, Mangiapane played two seasons in the AHL and worked his way to the Flames. After splitting time between Stockton and Calgary, his first full-time NHL season was 2019-20, when he scored 17 goals.
The 5’10”, 183 lb. winger has scored in double figures in goals each of his six NHL campaigns, with a career-high 35 goals in 2022, after which he signed a three-year, $17.4 million extension. His numbers dropped the next two seasons, and with the Flames rebuilding, Mangiapane was dealt to the Capitals for a 2025 second-round pick.
Although Mangiapane goes against the direction of bigger, sandpapery players that Treliving has been gravitating towards, the Leafs need offense and depth up front. Like Tanev, Toronto will be looking not to overpay and get him on a fiscally responsible short-term deal, but the 29-year-old checks off a lot of boxes as a potential addition.
