.@TheFourthPeriod identifies Boone Jenner, Mason Marchment, and Eeli Tolvanen as potential free agent fits for the Maple Leafs. #LeafsForever @thegoldenmuzzy | @Jay_D_Rosehill | @TLNdc
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Toronto Maple Leafs 2026 free agency live blog
Photo credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images
Welcome to The Leafs Nation’s 2026 NHL free agency live blog, where we’ll keep you posted about transactions across the league. Toronto is expected to be active on Wednesday, with Mason Marchment, Boone Jenne and Eeli Tolvanen listed as potential targets per David Pagnotta on Tuesday’s edition of Leafs Morning Take. Patrick Kane has also been listed as a potential fit for the Maple Leafs, while Gavin McKenna has listed him as his idol. Toronto could also pursue goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, with Anthony Stolarz as the incumbent starter, while Artur Akhtymaov and Dennis Hildeby compete for the backup spot.
Toronto is armed with $20.93 million in cap space per our friends at PuckPedia, and general manager John Chayka can operate with flexibility and optionality on July 1. Although Chayka has categorically denied interest in trading Matthew Knies, it’s possible the 23-year-old burgeoning power forward could be moved in a potential trade for reigning Norris Trophy winner Zach Werenski. Werenski reportedly blocked a trade to the Dallas Stars, and is still considering a move to the Maple Leafs or Tampa Bay Lightning.
Chayka and Mats Sundin are navigating two timelines but McKenna’s arrival, along with a sign-and-trade for Darren Raddysh has placed the team back in win-now mode for the 2026-27 season.
McKenna, Auston Matthews, William Nylander and Knies headline this year’s roster, and the Maple Leafs are still looking to add secondary scoring, while rounding out their defence corps. Morgan Rielly is widely reported to have submitted a four-team list, all residing in the Western Conference, where he’d waive his no-trade clause in order to facilitate a deal. Rielly doesn’t want to leave the Maple Leafs, and is expected to meet with head coach Jim Hiller in the coming days.
As the day marches on, we’ll have every Maple Leafs transaction listed here with some quick analysis. We also encourage you to check out our friends at Daily Faceoff, who will have comprehensive coverage from a league-wide perspective throughout the day.
7:55am ET: TSN’s Darren Dreger gets us started with a report that the Leafs are ‘all-in’ on Zach Werenski. We’ll see if it materializes into anything. Also note the bomb that is Bowen Byram potentially inking a six-year contract worth over 12 million annually.
An intriguing day ahead. The D market is wild. Toronto is “all-in” on Werenski. Carolina is still working on Carlson while considering Nikishin trade options. Plus, Chicago is eager to drop what is expected to be a 6 year deal on Bowen Byram at $12.5 mil per. Fun times.
8:34am ET: Dreger also floats the possibility that the Carolina Hurricanes are still in on star goaltender Connor Hellebuyck.
Carolina remains a contender for Connor Hellebuyck, while it’s fair to wonder if Buffalo circles back. Nothing imminent with Hellebuyck. The Jets are focused on Free Agency today, but will engage if trade talks intensify.
9:12am ET: The Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta suggests that Dallas Stars pending RFA Mavrik Bourque could be involved in trade talks today. The 24-year-old recorded 20 goals and 41 points in 82 games last season.
Sounds like there’s some trade traction in Dallas surrounding RFA Mavrik Bourque. We’ll see where this lands, nothing is done yet.
9:32am ET: Dreger joins FirstUp on TSN 1050 and reports that the trade that Toronto and Columbus are currently discussing for Zach Werenski does NOT include Matthew Knies.
Dreger on First Up says the offer for Toronto for Werenski doesn’t include Knies.
10:26am ET: Dreger posts on X that there is a chance that Knies won’t be included in a potential Werenski trade should it come together.
It’s been assumed Knies will be part of a package if Toronto lands Zach Werenski. See how things develop, but there’s a chance the Leafs won’t have to give up the power forward if this trade comes together.
10:27am ET: Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman joined the JD Bunkis Podcast to discuss Toronto’s interest in Werenski and whether or not it has anything to do with Auston Matthews’ current status. He believes it plays a big part.
“I think they’re like ‘we’re gonna go for it’. I think there’s a very good chance they’re signing Bobrovsky today, and I think they’re going to go for it.”
10:50am ET: Friedman reports that the Dallas Stars are trading RFA forward Mavrik Bourque to the Nashville Predators.
Hearing Mavrik Bourque to Nashville
10:57am ET: Friedman reveals the terms around the Bourque trade.
Predators are sending a second and a third rounder to Dallas Nashville also gets Ilya Lyubushkin in the deal
Hearing Mavrik Bourque to Nashville
11:08am ET: The Philadelphia Flyers are expected to be among the teams to take a run at signing Claude Giroux, according to LeBrun. It would mark his return to Philadelphia after four years away from the team.
Reunion in Philadelphia? The Flyers expected to be among the teams trying to sign Claude Giroux when he goes to market today.
11:11am ET: The Sabres are signing defenceman Olen Zellweger to a multi-year contract, according to Pagnotta. The Sabres traded him to the Ducks over the weekend in exchange for a second-round pick and a prospect.
Sabres have signed newly-acquired D Olen Zellweger to a multi-year contract
11:44am ET: Straight from the man himself. NHL player agent Dan Milstein announces an extension between the Philadelphia Flyers and goaltender Dan Vladar worth $5.5 annually for the next six years. The move locks up Vladar and Joseph Woll as the Flyers’ tandem for the next few years.
Dan Vladar. 5 years. Philadelphia Flyers. He’s staying. Dan Vladar agreed to terms with the Flyers on a 5-year ($5.5mm AAV) extension. Philly’s net is in good hands. #LetsGoFlyers #WeAreGoldStar!
11:52am ET: Another one straight from the source! And this one is a little more relevant to Leafs fans. Young Montreal Canadiens star Ivan Demidov has inked an eight-year extension worth $9.125 million annually.
Ivan Demidov. 9 seasons. Montreal Canadiens. He is staying. Ivan Demidov has agreed to terms on an 8-year extension at $9.125M AAV. #GoHabsGo #WeAreGoldStar!
12:00 pm ET: Luke Gazdic during the Sportsnet broadcast of free agent frenzy:
“Toronto is looking to make a splash in some capacity, and I wonder if it’s Werenski.”
12:03pm ET: The Los Angeles Kings are set to sign Erik Haula, according to Frank Seravalli.
Sources say #LAKings are adding free agent center Erik Haula.
12:04pm ET: David Pagnotta reports that the Leafs are among the teams interested in signing Mario Ferraro.
Several teams have interest in UFA defenceman Mario Ferraro, including the Rangers, Predators, Maple Leafs, Oilers, Kings, etc. - some teams may need to make other moves before they dive right in.
12:12pm ET: Elliotte Friedman confirms Haula is signing a two-year, $3.6 million AAV deal with the Kings.
Erik Haula 2 x $3.6M Los Angeles
12:23pm ET: Chris Johnston reports that the Los Angeles Kings have signed veteran Mats Zuccarello to a one-year contract.
Mats Zuccarello's one-year contract in Los Angeles is worth $1M plus bonuses
12:24pm ET: Friedman reports the Seattle Kraken have signed Mackie Samoskevich to a three-year contract extension. The Kraken previously acquired Samoskevich from the Florida Panthers in exchange for a first-round pick and a seventh-round pick.
Mackie Samoskevich signs with new team Seattle 3 x $3.85M
12:24pm ET: David Pagnotta reports that UFA veteran defenceman John Carlson is in conversation with multiple teams including the Philadelphia Flyers and Tampa Bay Lightning. The Carolina Hurricanes, who acquired his rights recently, are also still in the mix.
12:30pm ET: Friedman reports that Mason Marchment is headed to the San Jose Sharks on a five-year deal worth $7 million annually. He was somebody the Maple Leafs were reported to have interest in.
Mason Marchment sounds like he's headed to San Jose...long-time home of father Bryan in both an on- and off-ice role Word is 5 years, approx $7M AAV
12:30pm ET: In the most puzzling move so far, the Ottawa Senators have signed Sam Ersson to a two-year contract at a value higher than his qualifying offer. He was part of the return in the Joseph Woll trade and was sent to the Senators for a draft pick. He was also one of the worst goaltenders in the league last year.
Sam Ersson 2 x $2.2M AAV Ottawa
12:32pm ET: Frank Seravalli reports that Cole Smith will be signing a three-year contract worth $3 million annually with the Chicago Blackhawks. He was a member of the Cup-finalist Vegas Golden Knights in 2025-26.
Cole Smith is going to the #Blackhawks: 3 years x $3 million.
12:35pm ET: Longtime St. Louis Blue and more recent Seattle Kraken Jaden Schwartz is signing with the Colorado Avalanche, according to Seravalli.
Sounds like Schwartz is in the neighborhood of 3 years x $3.25 million with #GoAvsGo as @ScottieUpshall was on it.
My boy Jaden Schwartz is headed to the Avs on a 3 year Deal! Stanley cup champ. Amazing teammate. This is a big pickup to a stacked lineup in Colorado! (Not sure this is your Jersey # or not, but AI looks good!!)
12:39pm ET: Bartlett Hockey, who represents free agent forward Ryan Lomberg, confirms a two-year contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Lomberg was reported to be a target of the Maple Leafs.
Cup champ Ryan Lomberg heading to @BlueJacketsNHL on a 2-year deal! #BHfamily
12:39pm ET: Corey Perry is headed back to the Los Angeles Kings, according to Seravalli.
Sources say Corey Perry is going back to #LAKings for his 41-year-old season.
12:42pm ET: Veteran defenceman Ian Cole is joining the Chicago Blackhawks on a one-year deal according to Friedman.
Ian Cole 1 x $4.75M Chicago
12:47 ET: Joonas Korpisalo has been traded to the New York Rangers, in exchange for a 2028 fourth-round pick and Kalle Vaisanen. It’s an interesting bet by the Rangers, while the Bruins move on from a goalie that didn’t fit into their plans.
12:49 ET: Ilya Mikheyev has signed a four-year deal with the Tampa Bay Lightning, ruling out a potential reunion with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The speedy forward was considered a potential target for Toronto.
Rasmus Andersson 7 x $8.5M Vegas
12:51 ET: Although it was a foregone conclusion, Rasmus Andersson re-signed with the Vegas Golden Knights, inking a seven-year deal worth $8.5 million per season. Andersson was the No. 1 free agent on Daily Faceoff’s board, and will be a long-term staple for the Western Conference champs.
Rasmus Andersson 7 x $8.5M Vegas
12:59pm ET: Jeffrey Viel has inked a five-year contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Another deal with significant term to a fourth line player.
Jeffrey Viel 5 x $2.5M Tampa Bay
1:06pm ET: Jack Roslovic is set to sign with the Leafs, per Elliotte Friedman and Chris Johnston.
Jack Roslovic is signing a two-year deal with the #leafs carrying a $4M AAV
1:10pm ET: The Jets are set to sign goalie Stuart Skinner to a two-year contract, per Friedman.
Stuart Skinner 2 x $3.75M Winnipeg
1:13pm ET: Friedman also reporting that Noel Acciari is off to the Flyers.
Noel Acciari 2 x $2.8M Philadelphia
1:19pm ET: Mollie Walker reports Joe Veleno will sign a one-year contract with the New York Rangers.
#NYR sign C Joe Veleno to one-year deal with AAV of $1.2 million. Expectation is he will be 4C this upcoming season.
1:20pm ET: Pagnotta reports that Matias Maccelli will be signing with the New York Islanders. He was non-tendered by the Maple Leafs on Monday.
Islanders signing Maccelli
Breaking News
- The case to keep Dakota Joshua to start the season despite new management
- All eyes on Easton Cowan, Gavin McKenna, and Jack Roslovic for top-six internal competition
- Around the NHL: Minnesota Wild prefer Larkin over Trocheck; Kane, Tarasenko, Laine remain top free agents without deals
- Former Maple Leafs goaltender Jack Campbell announces retirement
- Penguins’ Nick Robertson reflects on Maple Leafs’ tenure: ‘You can’t get complacent’
Toronto Maple LeafsTeam Cap Summary
Cap Summary
2026-27
2027-28
Projected Cap Hit
$106,752,382
$106,752,382
Projected Cap Space
-$2,752,382
$6,747,618
Current Cap Space
-$2,752,382
$6,747,618
Active Players
23/23
24/23
Draft Picks
Round
'26
'27
1
1
1
2
1
2
3
4
0