The Toronto Maple Leafs are reportedly eager to add another difference-maker to their lineup at some point, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.

Considering that they were among the teams that were in on Zach Werenski before he decided to remain with the Columbus Blue Jackets, it makes sense why the Leafs are keen on adding another significant piece to their roster. Friedman added that the Leafs players who were on the team at the end of last season feel a lot better about the direction of the franchise and the additions that have been made, though it is clear that GM John Chayka is eager to make them even better.

One move of significance that could still happen is moving on from longtime defenceman Morgan Rielly, with his future in Toronto remaining up in the air as the offseason kicks off in spades.

“ I said that there’s a chance they keep him. I don’t know if that made everybody involved happy. There was some reporting after that he would like to move on.  I don’t know if that’s true or not. I know it’s out there,” Friedman said. “ I just heard that Toronto told people they’re not paying a big price to move him. If it’s something they consider too much of a sweetener, they won’t do it.  And I think one thing that hurt them, as we talked about with San Jose, is that San Jose with a choice seemed to prefer [Darnell] Nurse over Rielly.”

Friedman later mentioned that if a trade does not materialize for Rielly, they will do their best to make it work for him with a different role and utilization under the new regime. That doesn’t mean a trade won’t happen because it is clear they are actively shopping him, but they are prepared for a reality where Rielly is still on the Leafs.

That means the Leafs are far from done with their offseason plans and are continuing to try to get stuff done between now and the start of next season. A report from Postmedia’s Bruce Garrioch on July 2nd mentioned that the Leafs were among the teams that inquired about Claude Giroux at the start of free agency. He followed that up on Sunday by saying the Leafs continue to check in on him and are keenly interested in signing the veteran forward.

Garrioch did mention that the 2026-27 season will likely be Giroux’s last in the NHL and that he was taking the time to weigh his options. It would make sense for him to prefer going back to the team he spent the bulk of his NHL career with if there was a potential fit, though the Flyers’ offersheet of Leo Carlsson does complicate financial matters. It’s not to say he will for sure be going to Philadelphia, but the longer it takes for that to come together the more it gives credence to the fact that he may be willing to pivot to another option like the Leafs.