The Toronto Maple Leafs have completely changed their franchise this offseason. They have a new front office structure and coaching staff. They will build more around Auston Matthews, and they still have significant stars across the roster. The addition of Sergei Bobrovsky gives them a big name in net, and Darren Raddysh helps solidify their defense. They already have a mandate to be better after getting the gift of drafting Gavin McKenna.
However, John Chayka and company have not stopped at the big-name additions. They have added talent up and down the roster, working to enhance the talent on the Maple Leafs and the Marlies.
Recently, the Maple Leafs signed former first-round pick Brendan Brisson. Brisson has not lived up to expectations, but it never hurts to sign a 24-year-old with a ton of talent. He was given a shot with the New York Rangers last season, but he was only able to get into three games. He is considered depth at this point in his career unless he proves otherwise.
But that’s not why we’re here. The Brisson signing is only the last of the signings that have significance to the topic at hand. The Maple Leafs are full.
Like, by the letter of the NHL rulebook, the Maple Leafs are full. The league only allows each team to sign 50 professional contracts at a time. According to Puck Pedia, the Leafs are the only team to fill all 50 slots as of September 7th.
The 50th contract means that professional tryouts are unlikely for the Leafs this season
With the Brisson contract signed, the Leafs are probably done adding to the roster. The dreams of Patrik Laine or Vladimir Tarasenko are no longer possible without a corresponding move. Trades can still happen, but the Leafs cannot add more contracts than they release.
Even more than that, the Leafs are likely not going to sign any professional tryouts, otherwise known as PTOs.
PTOs are a very popular way to bring bodies into camp and see if there is value in having some veterans who likely lost a step on the roster. The PTO has brought decent players to the Leafs in the past, including Mason Raymond in 2013 and Max Pacioretty in 2024 (although injuries got the best of him). There are a ton of interesting PTO candidates this season, but the Leafs won’t have a shot at any of them.
Seriously, why would a player sign a PTO with the Leafs? It’s already a shortened preseason because of the 84-game season. The Leafs have no way to sign these players to an actual contract. Maybe they would join Leafs camp because of the exposure that could turn into a contract with another team, but that feels like a stretch.
What’s most likely is that the Leafs are done adding to this roster. We know what the Leafs will look like and can assess whether this is a team ready to compete again.
Add us as a preferred source on Google