Toronto Maple Leafs might have interest in one of the 'Hockey Canada five': report
The Toronto Maple Leafs may not be done adding to their roster this season, and their next move could be a controversial one.
With the NHL recently reinstating the five NHL players acquitted in the Hockey Canada sexual assault trial, rumours of where they could sign have been ramping up. Goaltender Carter Hart is the biggest name available, but Dillon Dube, Michael McLeod, and Cal Foote are also looking for jobs. Alex Formenton, meanwhile, has already signed with a Swiss team.
A recent report from TSN’s Darren Dreger has linked the Leafs to one of those players. The veteran insider said that Dube may be of interest to Toronto, as GM Brad Treliving has an extensive history with the player from his time in Calgary.
“I wouldn’t be at all surprised if Treliving and the Toronto Maple Leafs put their hat in the ring and take a decent swing at Dillon Dube,” Dreger said on a recent episode of First Up on TSN 1050. “Doesn’t mean that Toronto is a frontrunner, doesn’t mean the Maple Leafs are going to land Dillon Dube, but I mentioned earlier about their want for a top-six forward.
“The assumption is that a player like that could come in and fill that role.”
"I wouldn't be surprised if Treliving and the Leafs put their hat in the ring" @DarrenDreger made his season debut on #First Up and told us that #LeafsForever are potentially interested in Dillon Dube. Would you like to see Dube on the Leafs? Let us know! 👇 pic.twitter.com/9jW72myI9H
— First Up (@FirstUp1050) September 15, 2025
Dube has played the entirety of his NHL career with the Calgary Flames. He was drafted 56th overall by the Flames back in 2016, and most recently put up 18 goals and 45 points in his last full NHL campaign during the 2022-23 season.
Treliving was the Flames GM during that entire span.
Dube scored just three goals and seven points in 43 games during the 2023-24 season, before being placed on leave once the five players were named in the Hockey Canada scandal. The Flames did not qualify Dube the following summer, thus making him an unrestricted free agent.
Bringing in Dube would cause a lot of noise in Toronto, and both the team and the player would have to be okay with creating a bit of a frenzy at the signing. Although he was acquitted on all charges, the court of public opinion remains divided on whether these players should be allowed to return to the league.
There has been speculation that the players involved in the scandal would prefer to sign in a quieter American market to avoid attention. Signing with the Maple Leafs would do the exact opposite.
Dube would likely come cheap on whatever contract he signs next, and there is a chance he could help Toronto in a top-six forward role.
We’ll have to wait and see how Treliving navigates the situation over the next month or so.