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Maple Leafs qualify 5 restricted free agents including Robertson, Hildeby
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Photo credit: © Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
Jon Steitzer
Jun 30, 2025, 17:51 EDTUpdated: Jun 30, 2025, 17:50 EDT
In what has been a busy few hours for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Brad Treliving has extended qualifying offers to five of the Maple Leafs’ restricted free agents, leaving four others to become unrestricted free agents at noon on July 1st.
With Knies already being re-signed, Hildeby, Robertson, and Villeneuve are the most noteworthy. While both Roni Hirvonen and Topi Niemela will be playing the 2025-26 season overseas in Europe, by extending qualifying offers to them, the Maple Leafs retain their NHL rights until they reach the age of unrestricted free agency. Toronto did this last season with Semyon Der-Arguchintsev, and there hasn’t been any word of whether or not the Leafs will continue to retain his rights as well.
Most notably the Maple Leafs did not qualify Pontus Holmberg and as such he will become an unrestricted free agent tomorrow. That doesn’t negate the Maple Leafs attempting to sign him, but they certainly did not wish to enter arbitration with him and risk a high contract reward. Dennis Hildeby and Nicholas Robertson are both arbitration eligible.
Nick Robertson could be an interesting arbitration case as goals typically translate to larger paydays, and Robertson being a consistent 15-goal scorer could be result into a tough contract for the Leafs.
Pontus Holmberg had 19 points in 68 games for the Maple Leafs last season while averaging just under 13 minutes a night. His responsibilities were primarily in the bottom six forward group but would do some second line spot duty as injuries required him to move up in the lineup.
In addition to Holmberg not receiving a qualifying offer the other players of note without a qualifying offer are Cedric Pare, Mikko Kokkonen, and Reese Johnson. It is unlikely that the Leafs will pursue these players any further and they will test free agency.
Get ready for wall-to-wall coverage of one of the biggest days in the calendar — the Daily Faceoff Live Free Agency Special goes live on July 1st at 11 AM EST. Host Tyler Yaremchuk is joined by Carter Hutton, Matthew Barnaby, Jeff Marek, Hart Levine, Colby Cohen, Jonny Lazarus, and insiders from across the Network for three hours of in-depth analysis, live reactions, and real-time updates on every major signing and trade. From blockbuster deals to under-the-radar moves, we’re breaking it all down as it happens. Don’t miss a minute — catch the full special live on DailyFaceoff.com and Daily Faceoff’s YouTube.