Maple Leafs eye bold move as Auston Matthews could get former Flames forward Dillon Dube as teammate (Imagn Images) The Toronto Maple Leafs are preparing for the 2025-26 NHL season with a sense of urgency. After moving Mitch Marner to the Vegas Golden Knights in a blockbuster trade, the team is exploring further roster additions. Reports now suggest a familiar name could be on their radar, as former Calgary Flames forward Dillon Dube may have a path to Toronto once his suspension ends.
Toronto Maple Leafs considering Dillon Dube for top-six role
Insider Darren Dreger sparked speculation during his TSN appearance when he said, “I wouldn’t be at all surprised if the Leafs put their hat in the ring, take a decent swing at Dillon Dube.” The 27-year-old center, a second-round pick of the Flames in 2016, was among five players acquitted in the Hockey Canada case earlier this year. While he cannot return to action until December 1, he becomes eligible to sign with a team after October 15.The connection between Toronto and Dube runs deeper than just roster needs. General Manager Brad Treliving knows the player well from his Calgary days. As Dreger explained, “There’s history there, it goes back to the Calgary days between [GM] Brad Treliving and Dube. Doesn’t mean Toronto is a frontrunner and the Maple Leafs are going to land him. The assumption is Dube could come in and fill a top-six role.”
Challenges facing a Canadian market return
While Toronto’s need for depth scoring makes Dube an intriguing option, there are obstacles. Playing in a Canadian market comes with intense media pressure, something Dube may want to avoid after a difficult offseason. Carter Hart, another player cleared in the Hockey Canada case, has already expressed no interest in joining a Canadian club. That precedent suggests Dube could prefer a US-based franchise for a fresh start.Still, teams across the league recognize the hockey value he brings. Dreger noted, “Michael McLeod and Dillon Dube are good competitive players. So purely from a hockey perspective, they aren’t going to have any problems finding NHL homes. They are just not.”For the Maple Leafs, the decision comes down to weighing public scrutiny against on-ice performance. If they believe Dube can help Auston Matthews and company make a real Stanley Cup push, they may be willing to take the gamble.Also Read: Sidney Crosby reportedly nearing a split with Penguins as hockey world braces for potential franchise-altering trade news