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Toronto Maple Leafs Important Summer Dates to Remember

By James Tanner |
HAMILTON, ON -MARCH 12: General Manager Kyle Dubas of the Toronto Maple Leafs heads to a breazy practice prior a game against the Buffalo Sabres during the 2022 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic at Tim Hortons Field on March 12, 2022 in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
HAMILTON, ON -MARCH 12: General Manager Kyle Dubas of the Toronto Maple Leafs heads to a breazy practice prior a game against the Buffalo Sabres during the 2022 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic at Tim Hortons Field on March 12, 2022 in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)

The Toronto Maple Leafs kicked off the summer in style this week.

Though denied from advancing (more because of bad refereeing than bad play) and winning their first post-expansion Stanley Cup, the Toronto Maple Leafs are one of the NHL’s top teams, and will enter next season as one of the favorites to win the 2023 Cup.

The Leafs will pick themselves up and try get even better for next season.  That means a ton of work to be done over the next two or three months leading up to training camp.

It all began very nicely by resigning Mark Giordano, and of course the Hart Trophy and Ted Lindsey trophies are that went to Auston Matthews are amazing as well.

The fact that the Leafs haven’t already signed Jack Campbell is incredibly auspicious, and it makes me hopeful they can avoid making a major mistake and giving Campbell the net long-term.

So with all that in mind, here are some important dates to keep in mind for the summer.

Toronto Maple Leafs and NHL Important Dates

The First Round of the NHL Entry Draft is Thursday July 7th, and the rest of the draft goes the next day.

The draft is being held in Montreal, where, coincidently, the Canadiens have the first overall pick.  They are highly likely to take Shane Wright.  A great prospect, but not one of the Matthews/McDavid level.  At least, probably not.

The Toronto Maple Leafs will pick 25th, assuming they actually make their pick, which is probably a 50/50 proposition.

After the draft, there will be a few quiet weeks, but then free agency opens July 13th, at noon. (We apologize for a typo that previously stated an incorrect date).

It will be weird that there won’t be a ton of huge signings on Canada Day, but I do like how the action is being spread out a bit better across the summer.

The Toronto Maple Leafs should use this time to add a big-name star to their roster.  Perhaps there is one out there who’d be interested in a one-year deal to win a Cup with a stacked team?

Evgeni Malkin would be the dream, but heck, I’d settle for Johnny Gaudreau or Filip Forsberg.  I’m joking of course, but why not?  The Leafs are on the verge of winning, if they’ve got the guts and the creative juices to make it happen there is a lot of cap space.

Next. Tantalizingly Close to the Cup. dark

Why not just double-down on the recipe that made them a top team (winning aside) and put another elite player up front?  A long term deal to a UFA is likely inadvisable, but if they can get Giordano on the blue-line for peanuts, why not Malkin?

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