Maple Leafs Surprisingly ‘Not Interested’ in Signing All-Star: Report originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
After another early playoff exit, there are likely to be some big changes coming to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Toronto has a few key players entering free agency, and the roster is expected to look a little different when next season kicks off.
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The Maple Leafs are also expected to be very active this offseason as they try to upgrade the roster. Some options could come from the team that knocked them out of the postseason, the Florida Panthers.
Florida also has a few key players entering free agency, such as center Sam Bennett and defensemen Aaron Ekblad. Both players could fill a void for the Maple Leafs if they were to land in Toronto.
However, according to Steve Simmons of The Toronto Sun, the Maple Leafs have no interest in going after Ekblad.
“Also, word out of Florida is that the Panthers don’t have a whole lot of interest in re-signing the veteran defenceman Ekblad … If Bennett is available, the Maple Leafs will be among those bidding for the centre from Holland Landing. He’s the perfect fit, price aside, for the DNA roster switch the Leafs are attempting … Leafs apparently have no interest in Ekblad.”, Simmons wrote.
Toronto Maple Leafs forward John Tavares (91) checks Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad (5) during the third period of game five of the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank.John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
The lack of interest in Ekblad is unusual for the Maple Leafs, especially since they struggled in that area against the Panthers. Ekblad is one of the better defensemen around the NHL, and he could instantly help bolster the Toronto unit.
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But the price tag around him could be the main point for the Maple Leafs. Ekblad could command a heavy contract on the open market this summer.
Through 16 playoff games for the Panthers this year, Ekblad has scored four goals and eight assists. His production in the playoffs has been impressive, especially after a down year that saw him only score three goals.
It seems that Toronto will be looking elsewhere this offseason, even if Ekblad could be a massive addition.
Related: Canadiens Predicted to Land 2-Time All-Star in Massive Offseason Move
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 11, 2025, where it first appeared.