8 ex-Toronto Maple Leafs who could return in free agency this summer
It seems that just about anyone you talk to has their own vision about how to fix the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Some are touting the fact that the Leafs were one game away from knocking off the defending Stanley Cup champions, the Florida Panthers, while others will point to the repeated failure of the current group and are ready to let Mitch Marner and/or John Tavares walk in free agency.
But what about players who have left the organization and their possibility of returning?
Each year, there’s always a contingent of ex-Leafs available on the free agent market, many of them for cheap.
Here’s a look at eight ex-Leafs who are set to hit free agency this summer, with varying levels of possibility to don the blue and white jersey once again:
John Klingberg, Edmonton Oilers
Current cap hit: US$1.74 million
2024-25 stats: 11 GP, 1 G, 3 A
John Klingberg has faced perhaps the most adversity in recent seasons, playing just 14 games in Toronto a year ago and 11 in Edmonton while dealing with a host of injuries over the past few years.
But he’s cemented himself as a top-four regular for the Oilers throughout their playoff run and needs a new deal after signing his second successive one-year contract this past offseason.
Kasperi Kapanen, Edmonton Oilers
Current cap hit: US$1 million
2024-25 stats: 57 GP, 5 G, 8 A
Kasperi Kapanen became a cult overtime hero earlier this playoff run, scoring a big overtime goal for the Edmonton Oilers to eliminate the Vegas Golden Knights, not dissimilar to his marker for the Leafs in Game 2 of the first round against the Washington Capitals back in 2017.
Despite the big goal, there have been no guarantees of his inclusion in the lineup. Kapanen has played just three playoff games thus far this year and may once again be in search of a new NHL home.
Connor Brown, Edmonton Oilers
Current cap hit: US$1 million
2024-25 stats: 82 GP, 13 G, 17 A
Much like Kapanen and Klingberg, Connor Brown seems to have found a second lease on life in the NHL while with the Oilers.
A Toronto native who is now on his fourth NHL team after stints with the Ottawa Senators and Washington Capitals, Brown’s emotional departure from the team could signal that he has some interest in a return next season.
Cody Ceci, Dallas Stars
Current cap hit: US$3.25 million
2024-25 stats: 85 GP, 4 G, 20 A
Another player still kicking it in the postseason is former Leafs defender Cody Ceci, who is playing against his former Oilers teammates (and a few former Leafs ones, too).
While Ceci might not have blossomed into the top-pairing defenseman he was imagined as when the Ottawa Senators selected him at 15th overall, he’s 871 games deep into his NHL career and one of the most experienced players available in this year’s free agency class.
Ilya Samsonov, Vegas Golden Knights
Current cap hit: US$1.8 million
2024-25 stats: 29 GP, .891 save percentage, 16-9-4 win-loss record
Since the departure of Frederik Andersen in 2021, no goalie has suited up for more games in Toronto than Ilya Samsonov.
Given that the Leafs have two goaltenders locked up for next season in Joseph Woll and Anthony Stolarz, a return of Samsonov to Toronto seems almost unfathomable, barring an unforeseen development.
Tyson Barrie, Calgary Flames
Current cap hit: US$1.25 million
2024-25 stats: 13 GP, 1 G, 2 A
A mainstay in the NHL for over a decade now, Tyson Barrie’s future in professional hockey is up in the air.
For the first time since 2013-14, Barrie spent time in the AHL this past campaign, playing just 13 games for the Calgary Flames compared to 11 for their minor league affiliate, Wranglers.
James Reimer, Buffalo Sabres
Current cap hit: US$1 million
2024-25 stats: 24 GP, .896 save percentage, 10-10-2 win-loss record
It’s hard to believe sometimes that it’s been nearly a decade since the Leafs shipped away James Reimer to the San Jose Sharks, making the move in February of 2016.
But as for a return to Toronto, much of the same rationale for Samsonov applies to Reimer, given that there doesn’t seem to be much of a fit for the position.
Nicolas Aube-Kubel, New York Rangers
Current cap hit: US$1.5 million
2024-25 stats: 22 GP, 1 G, 1 A
Of all the players on this list, Nicolas Aube-Kubel is the one with the fewest number of games played as a Leaf.
Signing with the team in 2022, just weeks after winning the Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche, Aube-Kubel only spent six games in Toronto before the team eventually placed him on waivers.
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