Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski – Imagn Images
For the first time in a very long time, the Toronto Maple Leafs have a real advantage this off-season as they may look to weaponize their cap space.
The free agent class of 2025 is not expected to be a deep one, and considering the top player on the market might be Mitch Marner, the Toronto Maple Leafs might have to look elsewhere for top-end talent or depth to replace the potential losses.
One way in which they can do that is by weaponizing their cap space. The salary cap increase has done wonders for all teams around the NHL, but as we approach the off-season, there are several clubs with very little cap room that the Leafs should absolutely be targeting.
According to PuckPedia, Toronto has the 9th most cap space heading into the summer festivities at $25.71 million. Of course, that number will change drastically once they input Matthew Knies‘ eventual extension, and decisions still loom over John Tavares.
That means they should have anywhere between $13-18 million dollars to play with, depending on how they work around the aforementioned free agents. With teams like Colorado, Dallas, Vegas, and Tampa Bay low in cap space well within their competition window, it’s high-time for Brad Treliving to work some magic.
How the Toronto Maple Leafs Can Take Advantage of Contending Teams This Summer
The Leafs are in a prime position to be able to take on a bad contract or two in exchange for draft capital or skilled prospects. The advantage to doing this is that they can replenish some lost draft capital by essentially punting on next season and saving up to make a pitch to generational talent Connor McDavid.The Dallas Stars have $4.96 million available this summer, but Matt Duchene and Mikael Granlund are some of their unrestricted free agents. Signing either one of them is a priority and will likely take up all their remaining cap space. This is where Toronto can swoop in and help them by taking on an expiring contract like Matt Dumba in exchange for draft capital.
Colorado is another example as they have $1.2 million leftover and a several roster spots to fill out. Their draft cupboard is barren until 2027, but if they’re desperate enough and should Treliving push hard enough he could look to acquire either their first or second rounder in 2027 to help them off a bad contract.
There are certainly a few different avenues that the Maple Leafs can take this summer and they don’t have to spend up to the limit, overpaying some of the free agents that will likely be involved in a bidding war.
Shrewd moves against teams with little cap space will go a long way as they can package the aforementioned draft capital later on to address some of their own needs or perhaps add to their prospect pool considering how thin it might start to get in the next few years.
This would be some big-brain thinking from Brad Treliving. The only question is, does management think it’s wise to try to take one step back if it means punting forward several steps in 2026 and 2027? We’ll find out in short order.
Previously on MapleLeafsDaily