The Toronto Maple Leafs have added multiple new players to their roster this offseason. Among the Maple Leafs' newcomers are Sergei Bobrovsky, Darren Raddysh, Jack Roslovic, Colton Sissons, Teddy Blueger, Emil Andrae, and Brandon Duhaime. They also landed Gavin McKenna with this year's first overall pick, and he should be on their NHL roster next season.
While the Maple Leafs have plenty of new players to watch at training camp, it is fair to wonder if they could invite a player to it on a professional tryout (PTO) agreement. It would not hurt for them to sign another forward to a PTO, as they have spots to fight for in their bottom six.
Due to this, one UFA forward whom the Maple Leafs should consider taking a chance on with a PTO is Philipp Kurashev.
Kurashev remains a UFA after spending this past season with the San Jose Sharks. Overall, the 26-year-old forward had a decent year with the Sharks, as he posted seven goals, 20 points, and a plus-1 rating in 43 games. This was after he struggled during the 2024-25 season with the Chicago Blackhawks, posting just seven goals and 14 points in 51 games.
When looking at Kurashev's 2025-26 stats with San Jose, he would have the potential to give the Maple Leafs a bit more secondary offensive production if he earned a contract for the season. Due to this, there would be no harm in the Original Six club taking a gamble on him with a PTO.
Kurashev is an interesting bounce-back candidate PTO option for the Maple Leafs
Kurashev's past success would make him an intriguing bounce-back candidate for the Maple Leafs to take a chance on with a PTO. Just back during the 2023-24 season, the 2018 fourth-round pick set career highs with 18 goals, 36 assists, and 54 points in 75 games. These are impressive numbers, and not from that long ago, so he would be a fascinating forward for Toronto to bring in on a PTO.
Furthermore, at just 26 years old, Kurashev is still plenty young enough to turn things around. With this, he could be a great fit on a retooling Maple Leafs club if he impressed during a PTO and earned a contract for the season.
Nevertheless, it will be interesting to see if the Maple Leafs take a chance on Kurashev. There would be no risk in them inviting him to camp on a PTO.
Add us as a preferred source on Google