One pending unrestricted free agent the Maple Leafs can steal from their Atlantic Division rivals

The Toronto Maple Leafs could still use another player or two that will improve their defense for 2024-25, and they may not need to look far to improve their lineup.
Detroit Red Wings v Toronto Maple Leafs
Detroit Red Wings v Toronto Maple Leafs / Claus Andersen/GettyImages
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Dominik Kubalik, Ottawa Senators/Forward

Dominik Kubalik could be the best fit for Toronto in this entire piece, as he has shown a penchant for scoring, which would just add to what is already an incredible high-scoring front to begin with. But Kubalik can also play sound defense, something he’s shown at times throughout his career with three different teams. 

No, he hasn’t enjoyed a good season, and there is a chance he’s moving on from Ottawa this summer. But thanks to his goal-scoring efforts in the past, there is a good chance Kubalik would rediscover his ability to find twine consistently in Toronto, Ontario. 

Mathew Dumba, Tampa Bay Lightning/Defenseman

Mathew Dumba may come across as another Lyubushkin or Edmundson when you look at his numbers in both Arizona and Tampa. But he’s a much better and more consistent player who can do more than just land body checks and get in front of shots, something we have seen a lot of this season. 

There have been times in his career when Dumba has helped out offensively, and thanks to Toronto’s high-octane style, he could rediscover that. This is something we have never seen from Lyusbushkin or Edmundson, and at worst, he’s on the third-pairing in a place like Toronto.