Insider Says Maple Leafs Are Eyeing Another Difference Maker

The Toronto Maple Leafs have arguably been the most active team in the NHL so far this offseason, but that doesn’t mean GM John Chayka is done yet.

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While the additions of Gavin McKenna, Darren Raddysh, Sergei Bobrovsky, and a plethora of depth pieces have them looking vastly different heading into 2026-27, according to Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman, the Maple Leafs would still like to bring another difference-maker into the fold.

Friedman said during the latest episode of 32 Thoughts: The Podcast:

“I’ll say this about Toronto, I think Toronto is also still hopeful to add another difference maker. Now it may not be now, it may be later, but I think that’s what they’re considering. They didn’t give up any of their futures really and they even restocked some. I think they kind of looked at it as we kept that powder dry to stay alive in any opportunities that might arise. So that’s one thing with Toronto,”

The Maple Leafs are currently $2.75 million over the salary cap, though moving the injured Max Domi to LTIR would get them back to $1 million under. Nonetheless, adding a difference-maker would require a contract of substance going the other way.

Zach Werenski is the obvious name to keep an eye on, given that he expressed interest in going to Toronto or Tampa Bay before he and the Columbus Blue Jackets shut down trade talks for the time being.

That situation is far from over, however, and it wouldn’t come as a surprise to see Werenski’s name back in the rumor mill if Columbus gets off to a slow start next season or perhaps even involved a blockbuster trade later this summer.

Other big names will emerge at some point as well, and as Friedman mentioned, Chayka and company have positioned themselves so that if any opportunity arises, they’ll be able to enter the mix.

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