3 former Toronto Maple Leafs who could return on a PTO

Training Camp is right around the corner, but according to Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving, the team is "not set yet."

Based on Mitch Marner being apart of Auston Matthews' captaincy introduction, he's obviously going to be a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs for the 2024-25 season, so if you're thinking he's getting moved, think again. However, this team can still drastically improve without trading their biggest asset.

If the Leafs want to be a Stanley Cup contender, they really only need to make two or three moves. They need to replace Tyler Bertuzzi, which they still have not done. They need to resolve the situation with Nick Robertson, and they need to figure out what is going on with Mitch Marner.

He isn't going anywhere, but they can't just enter the season with him as a distracting potential UFA, can they? The team also needs a third-line centre because Pontus Holmberg isn't going to cut it and they don't really have any other options, short of making Marner into a centre. While that is a possibility, the Leafs haven't given any indication that they are even considering such a move.

Ideally, the Leafs would finish off the summer by signing Marner, and trading for another centre who can play behind Matthews and Tavares. As for how they could afford to, they do have at least some salary cap flexibility if not actual space.

The Leafs are still giving over $7M to Ryan Reaves, Calle Jarnkrok, Connor Timmins and David Kampf. None of these players are necessary and this money can easily be better spent, especially if players like Steeves, Cowan and Minten are potentially on the roster.

With that being said, Treliving's quote below from his appearance on TSN's Overdrive really showcases that he's looking to still make a deal and a PTO could be a good first step.

The Leafs are clearly not done yet, but that doesn't mean a big trade is imminent. The Leafs may choose to promote from within and then search for help closer to the deadline. In that case, a PTO would all they need for now. With that in mind, here are three former Leafs who could return on a PTO.