Fansided

Some Toronto Maple Leafs Prospects Are Moving On

By Jeremy Ridgewell |
Jan 22, 2022; Elmont, New York, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Carl Dahlstrom (48) skate with the puck against the New York Islanders during the first period at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 22, 2022; Elmont, New York, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Carl Dahlstrom (48) skate with the puck against the New York Islanders during the first period at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports

The Toronto Maple Leafs have been all about change this off-season. The first significant change so far is the departure of general manager Kyle Dubas and the hiring of new GM Brad Treliving.

With the NHL draft and free agency happening in less than a month, more changes are coming. Before that happens, a few player changes have already begun to happen. The Toronto Maple Leafs have elected not to sign forward Josh Pillar and defenseman Kalle Loponen.

Both players will become unrestricted free agents (UFA).

The Leafs acquired Josh Pillar from the Minnesota Wild as part of the three-team trade to acquire Ryan O’Reilly. Pillar (21) spent the 2022-23 season playing for the Saskatoon Blades as an overage player. He recorded seven goals and ten assists for 17 points in 28 games. Toronto not signing him allows him to explore all his pro options.
(Stats from eliteprospects.com)

Kalle Loponen was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the seventh round of the 2019 NHL draft with the 204th overall pick. This season he registered two goals and nine assists for 11 points in 36 games for KooKoo in Liiga. He is committed to playing for Vasteras IK in HockeyAllsvenskan next season.

Toronto Maple Leafs Player Leaving for Sweden

Toronto Maple Leafs player Carl Dahlstrom has signed a three-year deal with Farjestad BK in Sweden.

The Chicago Blackhawks drafted Dahlstrom in the second round of the 2013 NHL draft with the 51st overall pick. He joined the Toronto Maple Leafs organization for the 2021-22 season.

Dahlstrom registered two assists in three games for the Maple Leafs and 14 assists in 49 games with the Toronto Marlies in the AHL that season. This season Dahlstrom missed a lot of time due to injury but recorded one assist in eight games. He also had one assist in seven playoff games.

Having Dahlstrom, Loponen, and Pillar not under contract gives the Toronto Maple Leafs 17 open contract spots heading into next season. There will be plenty of roster changes for the Leafs and Marlies next season. With Dahlstrom gone, the Marlies only have three defensemen under contract for next season.

Next. The Leafs Top 10 Prospects. dark

Mac Hollowell and Filip Kral are restricted free agents (RFA). If Hollowell and Kral re-sign, that will bring the Marlies up to five defensemen for next season. It will be interesting to see who else gets added.

Home / Maple Leafs News