What Should the Maple Leafs Prioritize Most this Offseason?

The Toronto Maple Leafs likely aren’t as bad as this past season’s results would suggest. It was a bit of an adjustment without Mitch Marner, and Craig Berube’s system slowly got further and further away from what was right for the roster he inherited. The 2026-27 season will see the Maple Leafs with a new head coach and potentially a revamped roster, reflecting the vision of John Chayka and Mats Sundin if they improve the team through trades this offseason.

One issue from this past season will get a bit of help after the good fortune of winning the draft lottery. Rarely does a player make an immediate franchise-altering impact at first overall, but the Maple Leafs hope that whoever they choose will at least make them a better team than they were last season. If it is Gavin McKenna, he could get a top-six role right from the start, with becoming Auston Matthews’ running-mate looking like a dream scenario for the top prospect.

With the Maple Leafs likely to add a forward at first overall, they might not do a whole lot more to improve their depth in that area, barring a blockbuster trade to acquire Dylan Larkin or Vincent Trocheck. Chayka doesn’t have a ton of space to make moves, and it feels like the area they most need to improve is on their blueline. With Morgan Rielly coming off the worst season of his career, Toronto’s top priority should be to add a legitimate number one defenseman.

Maple Leafs’ pursuit of a number one defenseman

Adding a top blueliner isn’t the rumored trade talks featuring Rielly and Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse. The trade would be nothing more than two struggling veterans who are looking for a fresh start. Nurse also doesn’t fit what the Maple Leafs need to improve their blue line, as their biggest problem has been a lack of mobility and puck-moving ability. So, with that in mind, what options do Chayka and Sundin have?

Darren Raddysh is looking like the top free agent option. After a breakout season with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Raddysh is going to cash in at the perfect time, and his offensive abilities are exactly what Toronto needs. He recorded 70 points in 73 games this season, featuring a lethal shot from the blue line. The only question would be whether he was a one-hit wonder and if he could have the same success when not playing on Tampa Bay’s talented powerplay.

Some options through trade could be right-hand shots in Colton Parayko and Dougie Hamilton. Parayko didn’t waive his no-trade clause to join the Buffalo Sabres at this season’s trade deadline, and getting him to waive it with all the uncertainty surrounding Toronto seems unlikely. With Hamilton likely wanting a fresh start, he seems like he could be the target if Chayka does prioritize a defenseman.

Is Hamilton still a number one defenseman? The New Jersey Devils would say no, which is why they would be open to moving him. However, a fresh start in Toronto may be good for him, while also checking the offensive boxes that the Maple Leafs should be looking for.

Next: McKenna to Toronto? Early Draft Noise Has Maple Leafs Taking Him No. 1