The Toronto Maple Leafs’ 2025 offseason has been shaped primarily by significant departures, most notably the Mitch Marner Maple Leafs departure that culminated in a trade to the Vegas Golden Knights shortly after the club’s elimination from the Stanley Cup Playoffs. This pivotal move, alongside shifts in leadership and coaching staff, signals a new chapter for the franchise moving forward.
Following their Game 7 loss in the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs to the Florida Panthers, the Maple Leafs announced that Brendan Shanahan’s contract as team president would not be renewed, marking the end of the so-called ‘Shanaplan’ era. Concurrently, key assistant coach Lane Lambert left to become head coach of the Seattle Kraken. These headline moves overshadowed other roster changes that also carry implications for Toronto’s 2025-26 season.
Unexpected Roster Changes: The Case of Pontus Holmberg
Among the players lost from the 2024-25 Maple Leafs roster, Pontus Holmberg’s departure stands out as particularly surprising. The 26-year-old forward impressed head coach Craig Berube with his two-way play and penalty-drawing ability, even earning a spot on the team’s second line at one point. Despite scoring only seven goals during the regular season, Holmberg played in 12 of Toronto’s 13 playoff games, showcasing his reliability and versatility.
Holmberg was not even a free agent; the Maple Leafs, led by GM Brad Treliving, chose not to extend a qualifying offer, allowing the Swedish forward to sign a two-year, $3.1 million deal with the Tampa Bay Lightning, a division rival. Treliving later explained the decision as a combination of concerns over potential arbitration costs and salary cap constraints that ultimately prevented Toronto from retaining him.
The Status of Veteran Forward Max Pacioretty
Max Pacioretty’s tenure with the Maple Leafs might not be over, but his future remains uncertain. The 35-year-old veteran joined Toronto on a professional tryout before earning a one-year contract for the 2024-25 season. Throughout the year, he produced several key moments, including three crucial playoff goals, despite being limited to 37 regular-season games due to injuries. The former Montreal Canadiens captain has demonstrated he can still contribute offensively when healthy.
While Pacioretty has yet to re-sign with Toronto, there remains the possibility of him returning on a low-risk contract. His role as a respected locker room presence and occasional scorer makes him a potential fit, though it will depend heavily on the Maple Leafs’ final roster configuration and salary cap flexibility ahead of the coming season.
The Departure of Ryan Reaves and Its Implications
Ryan Reaves’ exit might not have garnered the usual attention a star player‘s would, but his personality and presence on the ice made him a notable figure during his two seasons in Toronto. Despite a quiet statistical output last season—zero goals, two assists across 35 games—Reaves was known for his physicality and occasional fights, traits that energized both teammates and fans.
Assigned to the Toronto Marlies in March, the 38-year-old found no place on the Maple Leafs’ roster for 2025. With $1.35 million still owed on his contract, GM Brad Treliving arranged a trade sending Reaves to San Jose, acquiring defenseman Henry Thrun in return. Thrun, 24, adds defensive depth and saved Toronto roughly $350,000. This swap highlights the team’s shift toward younger, more versatile players while managing its salary cap.
Impact on the Toronto Marlies’ Offense and Leadership
The Maple Leafs’ affiliate, the Toronto Marlies, also experienced significant turnover this summer, especially among its top forwards. Three of their top six scorers—Alex Steeves, Nick Abruzzese, and Joseph Blandisi—have all departed. Steeves joined Boston to reunite with Fraser Minten following a standout 2024-25 campaign where he set a new Marlies scoring record with 36 goals and recorded his first <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/hockey/nhl/”>NHL goal. His departure removes a likely contender for an NHL spot, underscoring the AHL side’s loss of offensive talent.
Abruzzese signed with Tampa Bay, while Blandisi moved to Russia. Although neither was expected to play a major role with Toronto’s NHL team, their absence will be felt at Coca-Cola Coliseum, where their energy and scoring helped define the Marlies’ identity. Additionally, Kyle Clifford, a veteran known for his grit, retired to transition into a front office role, further changing the team’s makeup.
Jani Hakanpaa’s Brief and Challenging Tenure
The 2024-25 season marked a puzzling stint for defenseman Jani Hakanpaa with Toronto. The 33-year-old’s signing was marked by uncertainty, with his contract status shifting multiple times before and during the offseason. Ultimately, injuries limited him to just two games played, primarily due to persistent knee problems that delayed his integration from the start.
Regarding Hakanpaa’s short stay, GM Brad Treliving admitted,
There was always a risk. We took a swing and it didn’t work out.
This acknowledgment makes it clear that the organization does not foresee bringing the Finnish blueliner back. His time in Toronto will be remembered as a gamble that failed to deliver sustainable contributions.
Goalie Matt Murray Moves On After Unsteady Years
Matt Murray’s acquisition by Toronto in 2022 generated considerable attention, aimed at strengthening the goaltending corps. Despite the initial optimism, his tenure was hampered by injuries and inconsistent performances. After re-signing last summer, Murray’s third season concluded with his move to the Seattle Kraken, joining Lane Lambert, who was hired as their head coach.
Though he struggled at the NHL level, Murray showed strong form with the Toronto Marlies, posting a 10-5-4 record, .934 save percentage, and 1.72 goals-against average. Still, with promising young goaltenders Dennis Hildeby and Artur Akhtyamov set to lead the Marlies, the club decided not to retain Murray. The decision opens space for the team to assess further veteran depth behind primary NHL netminders Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll.
Significant Losses Among the Marlies’ Finnish Defensemen
The Toronto Marlies’ defensive lineup also experienced notable departures this offseason, primarily among Finnish players. In addition to Jani Hakanpaa, promising prospects Topi Niemela, Roni Hirvonen, and Mikko Kokkonen signed contracts overseas, signaling a setback for Toronto’s defensive pipeline. Niemela and Hirvonen received qualifying offers, preserving the Leafs’ NHL rights even as they head to Finland and Sweden, respectively. Kokkonen, however, parted ways with the organization completely.
These three defensemen, all in their early twenties, were once highly regarded prospects selected early by former GM Kyle Dubas. Their departures reflect a shift in organizational evaluations under Brad Treliving, suggesting the team no longer views these players as integral to their immediate future. Though these moves lack the emotional weight of the Marner trade, they will influence Toronto’s depth and development strategy.
Reassessing Team Identity After a Pivotal Offseason
While Mitch Marner’s departure undeniably represents the most visible and impactful change, the Maple Leafs face a broader transformation affecting multiple levels of the organization. The exit of seasoned veterans, promising prospects, and even front office leadership signals a period of adjustment. Toronto still boasts core stars like Auston Matthews, William Nylander, Matthew Knies, and John Tavares, but the loss of supporting players and internal leaders will shape the team’s chemistry and dynamics in the coming season.
The trade of Marner to Vegas underscores the Leafs’ willingness to recalibrate their roster amid cap pressures and strategic shifts. The signings and departures involving the Marlies also suggest Toronto’s renewed focus on developing younger talent, though some of those youth prospects have chosen opportunities elsewhere. As the organization enters this new phase, balancing the pressures of expectations with the realities of a changing roster will be a key challenge.
Ultimately, the 2025-26 season will reveal how these changes affect Toronto’s pursuit of the Stanley Cup and whether the team can maintain its competitive edge without some of its recent standout contributors.