Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving appears interested in making some significant changes to his roster this offseason, which could mean one of two things – he’ll be active on the free-agent market, or the savvy GM could be looking to go the trade route.

While July 1st is normally a date many relate to the opening of free agency, it’s also a significant date when it comes to player’s contracts, and specifically their trade protection.  Here’s three Maple Leafs who will see their trade protection change at the beginning of July:

Stolarz had his season ended by Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett during Game 1 of their second-round series, after what was a very successful first year in Toronto. The 31-year-old is entering the final season of the two-year contract he signed last summer with the Leafs. As of July 1st, Stolarz will gain a modified no-trade clause, as he’ll now be able to reject trades to eight teams.

Last season, Stolarz didn’t have any trade protection, but that wasn’t the story at all. He stood tall in net for the Maple Leafs, posting a 21-8-3 record, along with a 2.14 goals against average, and a league-leading .926 save percentage. Stolarz had trouble staying healthy, which has been a theme for him throughout his NHL career, but when he was available, he was one of the very best goaltenders in the league.

Stolarz isn’t likely getting trade, trade protection or not, and what could be coming is a contract extension at some point this summer, or into next season. The Leafs have a solid tandem in Stolarz and Joseph Woll, and look for goaltending to be a strength once again for Toronto next year.

The Maple Leafs paid a hefty price to land Carlo from their rival Boston Bruins, but it was undoubtedly worth it. Carlo brought a big body to the right side of the Leafs’ defence corpse, and looking ahead, is signed for two more seasons at just $3.4 million AAV against the cap.

Carlo’s trade protection slightly changes heading into 2025-26, as he’ll go from 10-team protection, to being able to reject trades from up to eight teams. He isn’t a trade candidate this summer for Treliving, and he’ll look to get a full training camp under his belt with the Maple Leafs, and play an even bigger role heading into next season.

Carlo finished last season with three assists in 20 regular season games in blue and white, and was held off the scoresheet in 13 playoff games. He wasn’t brought in to score, but he has an underrated shot, and great vision with his outlet passes, so there’s some potential he could chip in more offensively next season than many expect. Treliving wants more offence from his blueline, so we’ll see if that’s something Carlo tries to incorporate in his game a little more in 2025-26.

McCabe will enter year one of his five-year contract extension in 2025-26, and he’ll get a boost in trade protection, going from just a seven team clause to a full no-trade. The 31-year-old has emerged into arguably the Maple Leafs’ number one defenceman, and will look to continue to develop both sides of his game.

McCabe is one of the more underrated blueliners in the game. He does everything well, is tough as nails, and has a big fan in head coach Craig Berube, who loves how fearless McCabe plays the game. The duo of McCabe and Chris Tanev are one of the best shut-down pairs in the league, and heading into 2025-26, will once again be called upon to lead the charge from the back end.

The Maple Leafs are expected to make some roster moves this summer, it’s just unknown how exactly they will improve their blueline considering contract statuses, and trade protection. McCabe is going anywhere anytime soon, and is under contract until the 2030-31 season.

While McCabe, Carlo, and Stolarz see their trade protection change, it’s worth noting that several other Maple Leafs are protected by their contract terms. This includes Max Domi, who has a 13-team no-trade clause, Auston Matthews and William Nylander carry no-movement clauses. David Kampf, who is a trade candidate this summer, holds 10-team protection, meanwhile Calle Jarnkrok, who like Kampf could potentially be moved, also can reject deals to 10 teams.

On the back end, Morgan Rielly has a full no-movement clause and reportedly doesn’t have any interest waiving this summer. Tanev is also protected from any movement, but could very well retire as a Leaf in a few years, while Oliver Ekman-Larsson carries protection against half the teams in the league with his 16-team protection.

Treliving will need to get creative if he’s going to make any significant changes via trade this summer. Trade protection will play a major part in what he can, and can’t do this offseason.