It’s not often the Toronto Maple Leafs find themselves well under the salary cap, but that’s exactly their situation now. Despite the opening weeks of free agency being behind them, the Leafs still have more than $5 million in cap space to work with.
General manager Brad Treliving might decide to keep that flexibility in place heading into the 2025–26 season, especially to simplify any moves around the 2026 Trade Deadline. However, if he’s aiming to make additional roster upgrades before the season starts, several free agents still available could be smart additions.
Jack Roslovic
Widely considered the top forward left on the market, Jack Roslovic isn’t a superstar, but he’s a proven contributor. The 2015 first-round pick has topped 20 goals twice, including a 22-goal, 39-point effort last season with the Hurricanes.
The fact that he remains unsigned suggests he may not be commanding the kind of salary his camp initially expected. He might end up accepting a more modest deal — and the Maple Leafs have reportedly shown interest. Slotting him into a middle-six role could be a sensible move. Before free agency began, he was projected to fetch around $4 million annually.
Max Pacioretty
Though no longer the goal-scoring force he once was, Pacioretty showed in 2024–25 that he still has value. He scored five goals and 13 points in 37 regular season games for Toronto, then added three goals and eight points in 11 playoff games when given a top-six role.
What stood out was his adaptability — Pacioretty successfully adjusted to a bottom-six role, becoming more physical while continuing to chip in offensively. Bringing him back on a one-year, bargain deal (likely under $1 million) would be a low-risk move with upside.
Viktor Olofsson
If Toronto wants a winger with more scoring punch than Pacioretty, Viktor Olofsson is an option worth exploring. The 28-year-old winger isn’t known for his physical play, but his shot makes him a constant scoring threat.
Olofsson has hit the 20-goal mark in three of his six NHL seasons and is especially dangerous on the power play. While he wouldn’t replace the grit lost if Pacioretty isn’t re-signed, he’d add offensive depth — something the team could use following Mitch Marner’s exit. He’s expected to command a contract just over $3 million annually.
Craig Smith
Should the Leafs prefer to bring in another veteran leader, Craig Smith could be a fit. Although he struggled late last season with the Red Wings, he posted nine goals and 16 points in 40 games earlier with the Blackhawks.
At 35, Smith is no longer in his prime, but he’s still effective at generating chances, taking quick shots off the rush, and applying pressure on the forecheck. Given his recent dip in production, he’s likely looking at a league-minimum deal — which could work well for Toronto’s depth.
Toronto Needs More Scoring Options
With Mitch Marner now in Vegas, the Leafs are missing a key piece of their offense. While they still boast top-tier talent in Auston Matthews, William Nylander, John Tavares, and rising star Matthew Knies, replacing Marner’s 102-point output won’t be easy.
Though none of the free agents mentioned would fill Marner’s shoes, each could help mitigate the loss — and all are affordable options for a team with cap space to spare.
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