The group of key players in Toronto is changing. A significant player has been moved to the Vegas Golden Knights in a strategic move, and the Maple Leafs are now focused on finding someone to fill that role.
Of course, finding someone to replicate that player’s contributions will be a challenge. He consistently scores at a high rate each season, is defensively responsible, and contributes to all special teams. The Leafs won’t find a single player who can do everything, but they can lessen the impact of his absence.
One potential solution is already part of the team and will remain for the next several years. A current player shows promise for further improvement, but he may not be able to completely fill the void alone. Fortunately for Toronto, there are some possible options available through trades and free agency.
Several promising young offensive players in the Western Conference might be available before the 2025-26 season, and the Maple Leafs could be an excellent destination for either of them. In free agency, which starts at a specific time on Tuesday, there are additional players that Toronto should consider.
Let’s examine in more detail how the Maple Leafs might replace the production of the departed player.
Matthew Knies, LW, Maple Leafs
Regardless of any other actions the Maple Leafs take to make up for the lost production, Knies’ continued progress is crucial. The player who left is responsible for a significant portion of Toronto’s offense, so multiple players need to step up. Knies needs to be one of those players.
As a young player, Knies performed well with a certain number of goals and assists in a set number of games. His career is trending upward, and there’s reason to believe he could reach a higher goal total in the future. The Leafs are certainly hoping for this, as they recently signed him to a long-term contract at a specific price per season. Can Knies maintain his performance if he’s asked to take on a larger role?
Robertson could be a very interesting option for the Maple Leafs. The Stars have limited salary cap space with a specific number of forwards on the roster. This situation could mean that Robertson, with his current cap hit, might be available, particularly since he will need a new contract next summer.
In recent seasons, only a select number of players have scored more goals than Robertson’s total. He is a powerful offensive player who can challenge opposing teams with his speed. A key advantage is that Robertson has already reached a 40-goal milestone twice, and he is still relatively young. Players of this caliber rarely become available during their peak, and if Robertson is on the market, Toronto should be actively contacting the Stars’ general manager.
The Colorado Avalanche recently acquired Necas during the previous season, but he is entering the final year of his contract, and the team’s general manager might be willing to trade key players if contract negotiations stall. If Colorado is not confident in signing Necas to a contract that could cost a significant amount annually, the skilled winger could be traded again.
If Necas is indeed traded, Toronto would be a great fit. After joining Colorado, Necas played alongside a star player and recorded a certain number of goals and assists in a set number of games. In addition, Colorado performed very well with Necas on the ice during even-strength play. With the Maple Leafs, Necas could join a specific player’s line, and their combined playmaking and shooting abilities could be very effective.
Ehlers, possibly one of the more underappreciated forwards in the league, is among the top free agent options. His speed and offensive awareness are exceptional, making him a great fit for the Maple Leafs after the departure of their previous player.
In the past few seasons, Ehlers’ ice time has been limited, averaging less than a certain number of minutes per game. Despite this, he managed to exceed a certain point total in each of the last two seasons, demonstrating impressive production while on the ice. This level of skill is appealing for Toronto, especially with other talented players already on the team. Ehlers’ production could potentially increase significantly while playing for the Leafs.
While Boeser may not have the same playmaking skills as the player who left or the other players mentioned earlier, he can provide goals. He has maintained a certain goal pace in each of his full NHL seasons and reached a specific goal total in a recent season. This type of production would help offset some of the impact of the previous player’s departure.
Boeser is known to have periods of high and low performance, but he can score frequently when he is on a hot streak. In a past season, he was consistently effective, scoring a significant number of goals in a set number of games. The possibility of pairing Matthews and Boeser, two players with powerful shots, is appealing. Like several other players in this free agency period, Boeser may end up receiving a contract that exceeds his actual value, but Toronto needs another skilled forward for their top lines.
