Toronto Maple Leafs bring in seven new players on first day of free agency

The Toronto Maple Leafs were the busiest team in the NHL on the opening day of free agency. 

New GM John Chayka was busy working the phones as he brought a total of seven new players to the team through six free agent signings and two trades. It was expected that the Leafs would do some major surgery to help get Toronto back to the playoffs, and they attempted that on Wednesday. 

The biggest move of the day saw two-time Stanley Cup champion goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky ink a three-year deal with a $7 million cap hit. The Russian netminder will be Toronto's de facto starting goaltender going into next season. 

Welcome to the force, BOBROVSKY! 🍁

— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) July 1, 2026

Bringing in Bobrovsky meant that the team had a bit of a crowded crease. Chayka solved that issue by shipping off Dennis Hildeby to the Tampa Bay Lightning along with a 2028 third-round pick and a 2027 fourth-round pick in exchange for forward Nick Paul. 

The 31-year-old Paul scored seven goals and 15 points in 51 games last season. 

TRADE: We’ve acquired forward Nick Paul from the Tampa Bay Lightning

— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) July 1, 2026

Toronto also picked up some goal-scoring in free agency, inking forward Jack Roslovic to a two-year deal with a $4 million cap hit. The Columbus native played with Auston Matthews on the U.S. National Team Development Program during their junior days. 

The hope is that he can pick up from the 21-goal campaign he accomplished with the Edmonton Oilers last season. 

🖊️ We’ve signed forward Jack Roslovic to a two-year contract

— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) July 1, 2026

From there, Chayka went to work rounding out the team's forward depth, inking four players who are likely going to be limited to bottom-six minutes. Those signings include: 

• Brandon Duhaime: three years, $2.6 million cap hit
• Colton Sissons: two years, $4.25 million cap hit 
• Teddy Blueger: two years, $2.5 million cap hit
• Zack MacEwen: two years, $875,000 cap hit 

Chayka also traded forward Nick Robertson to the Pittsburgh Penguins for a 2028 fourth-round pick to round things out. 

That is a lot of turnover for this Maple Leafs roster, and it's sure to create quite a buzz in the city over the next few months. Whether or not it winds up working and getting Toronto back into the playoffs remains to be seen. 

For now, however, hope springs eternal among the Leafs faithful.