The quiet hum of the NHL offseason is in full swing, a time when many associated with the game might envision leisurely days by the water. However, for Toronto Maple Leafs General Manager Brad Treliving, the work appears far from complete. The mandate to refine and shape the roster for the upcoming 2025-26 season remains an active file, particularly as the team navigates its first full off-season in what has been termed the “post–Core Four” era.
While the club concluded the 2024-25 season atop the Atlantic Division, the subsequent period of transition inherently means that, on paper, the current configuration might not yet represent a definitive step forward from the previous iteration. Nevertheless, significant time remains before training camps open in October, providing ample opportunity for strategic maneuvers through trades and signings.
A snapshot of the team`s current structure, based on available information, reveals the foundation upon which further additions or adjustments will be made. This is the roster as it stands today, acknowledging its fluid nature:
Current Roster Snapshot
Forwards
- Knies – Matthews – Domi
- Maccelli – Tavares – Nylander
- McMann – Roy – Robertson
- Lorentz – Kämpf – Laughton
- Pezzetta – Järnkrok – Reaves
Defence
- McCabe – Tanev
- Rielly – Carlo
- Benoit – Ekman-Larsson
- Mermis – Myers
Goaltenders
- Stolarz
- Woll
Financial Flexibility and Remaining Tasks
From a financial perspective, the team`s current projected salary cap situation indicates approximately $5 million in remaining cap space. This figure is a crucial piece of the puzzle. It represents tangible flexibility for the General Manager to address lingering requirements or capitalize on market opportunities that may arise.
Based on the stated context of an incomplete “to-do list,” the probable areas of focus lie in complementing the existing core. This could involve identifying and acquiring a player capable of contributing offensively, potentially solidifying a spot in the top six forward group, or perhaps adding depth and specific skill sets to the defensive corps. While the primary goaltending tandem appears settled, the off-season is also a time to assess and potentially bolster depth at that critical position.
The process of constructing a competitive NHL roster is rarely linear or completed swiftly after the initial free agency period. It is an ongoing effort involving scouting, negotiation, and strategic evaluation. The current depth chart serves as a base, but the coming weeks and months will determine its final form.
For Brad Treliving and the Maple Leafs organization, the focus remains squarely on these remaining operational items. The aim is clear: to methodically build a team capable of sustained success in the 2025-26 season and beyond. The quiet period of summer is, in fact, a critical phase of active construction.
Tristan Blackwood