5 free agents Toronto Maple Leafs could sign if they let Marner and Tavares walk
The Toronto Maple Leafs are at a crossroads.
After yet another disappointing playoff exit, the Leafs’ future is perhaps murkier than it’s ever been for an entire generation of fans.
Star forwards Mitch Marner and John Tavares, who have been making just under a combined US$22 million the past six seasons, are both possible candidates to head to the free agent market.
They’re 1-2 league-wide in the biggest cap hits in the NHL, slated to see their contracts expire this season, and both are expected to receive large paydays this summer.
While Tavares has spoken twice to the media since the season ended and stated his desire to return to Toronto, Marner hasn’t been quite as direct thus far.
If one — or both — of Marner and/or Tavares end up leaving the Leafs, here are five star forwards they could potentially sign in free agency this summer as a replacement:
Brock Boeser, Vancouver Canucks
Current cap hit: $6.65 million
2024-25 stats: 75 GP, 25 G, 25 A
The current longest-tenured member of the Vancouver Canucks, most indications appear that Brock Boeser’s time on Canada’s West Coast is coming to an end.
A 40-goal scorer just two seasons ago, the 28-year-old is a dynamic option at winger who is familiar with the high pressure of a Canadian market.
Brad Marchand, Florida Panthers
Current cap hit: $6.125 million
2024-25 stats: 71 GP, 23 G, 28 A
Could there be any greater heel turn in league history than Brad Marchand opting to play for his childhood favourite team?
Having now beaten the Leafs in five different playoff series, the current Florida Panthers and former Boston Bruins star winger might just have that extra edge that the Leafs haven’t been able to capture in the postseason.
Andrew Mangiapane, Washington Capitals
Current cap hit: $5.8 million
2024-25 stats: 81 GP, 14 G, 14 A
The lone Toronto-born player on this list, Andrew Mangiapane saw his production take a sharp nosedive in his first season with the Washington Capitals after being traded there last June from the Calgary Flames.
But if the Leafs are betting on a bounce-back candidate with plenty of top-six experience, Mangiapane might be a nice bet, as he’s only three years removed from scoring 35 goals in Calgary in 2021-22.
Nikolaj Ehlers, Winnipeg Jets
Current cap hit: $3.5 million
2024-25 stats: 69 GP, 24 G, 39 A
Eleven years after passing on him in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft to take William Nylander one spot ahead, the Leafs could finally end up landing Nikolaj Ehlers in free agency.
While Ehlers might have never quite developed to the truly elite franchise-level talent some projected during his early years in the league, he’s coming off his second-most productive season yet, while adding five goals and two assists in eight playoff games.
Matt Duchene, Dallas Stars
Current cap hit: $3 million
2024-25 stats: 82 GP, 30 G, 52 A
A native of Haliburton, Ont., and the former No. 3 overall pick in the 2009 NHL Draft, just two spots after Tavares, Matt Duchene has proven he’s still got the juice even in the back half of his NHL career.
Playing all 82 games this past season for the Dallas Stars while putting up exactly a point-per-game, Duchene is in the Western Conference Final for the second year in a row and perhaps could provide the veteran playoff experience that Toronto has been missing in recent years.