Now that the free agency window has effectively closed, we can evaluate the Toronto Maple Leafs’ offseason in earnest. And there’s lots to like from John Chayka’s summer haul, along with a series of personnel decisions we disagreed with. Chayka has clearly delineated top-six and bottom-six forward roles, while the defence corps looks to be quicker and more agile, and future Hall of Fame goalie Sergei Bobrovsky mans the net. There’s one unintended benefit to Chayka’s offseason overhaul: whether it’s deliberate or not, The Passion is back with the 2026-27 Maple Leafs.

Chayka started the summer by trading for Darren Raddysh, promptly signing the defenceman to an eight-year extension. Raddysh is a tremendous story: he was teammates with Connor McDavid and Sam Bennett with the Toronto Marlboros of the Greater Toronto Hockey League, went undrafted in the NHL, and worked his way up through the Tampa Bay Lightning organization into a star blueliner. It’s a homecoming for Raddysh, and a full-circle moment of sorts.

“It means the world, my brother and I grew up being Leafs fans, we’d go with our dad to watch the games,” Raddysh said during his introductory meeting with Leafs media in June. “To put that jersey on and to be able to play in front of the home fans, it’s awesome. Lots of friends and family have already texted me and are excited.”

Nick Paul may have been public enemy No. 1 for the Maple Leafs after the 2022 playoffs, but that’s all in the past. Paul grew up in Mississauga and was a diehard Leafs fan, attending games with Max Domi among other friends.

“Just growing up in Toronto, and the GTA, and going to a bunch of games,” Paul said on July 4. “If you grew up in the GTA, you know exactly what being a Leafs fan is, so to be here and play for them is another level I don’t even know yet. As soon as I realized I’m going to play for the Leafs, goosebumps and memories all kind of hit me at once.”

Paul’s playing style radiates passion as well, and he’ll be in scrums and battles during physical games. Chayka, of course, is a graduate of the Ivey Business School at Western University and landed his dream job, alongside Mats Sundin, who operates as senior advisor to hockey operations. It may have been unintended, but bringing home two Toronto-area players from a former rival will certainly go a long way.

There’s genuine optimism about the Leafs’ prospect pool for the first time in recent memory, which I detailed over the weekend. Alexander Bilecki was playing for the Mississauga Rebels of the Greater Toronto Hockey League two years ago, and he excelled during the Leafs’ development camp in July. There was a tremendous buzz around the week’s events, and there’s an air of excitement around a revamped Leafs team.

Of course, two new acquisitions won’t characterize Chayka’s offseason in sum. There’s a renewed sense of commitment and positive energy in the air, accelerated by Gavin McKenna’s arrival, as the 18-year-old rookie ought to galvanize the offence, while operating as the franchise’s most important player from the second he steps onto the ice. Toronto should be a much faster team to play against this year, with a wide range of outcomes. And while it may not count in the standings, it could have a longstanding effect when the games become more difficult: The Passion is back with the 2026-27 Leafs.

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