The Toronto Maple Leafs announced on Monday that they have signed NCAA free agent forward Luke Haymes to a two-year contract, which will begin next season. Haymes will join the Toronto Marlies in the AHL for the remainder of the 2024-25 season on an amateur tryout.
The Toronto Maple Leafs liked what they saw from Haymes when he attended their development camp in 2023 and have been monitoring him ever since. Following his development camp showing with the Leafs, Haymes had a decent season for Dartmouth College with 18 goals and 18 assists for 36 points in 31 games. According to numerous scouting reports, Haymes was among the top NCAA free agents available. (All stats from eliteprospects.com)
Haymes is a 21-year-old center who measures in at 6'1, 203 pounds. He has 41 goals and 29 assists for 70 points in 83 NCAA games. Adding him to their center depth is a good move for the Leafs with Fraser Minten being traded away at the NHL trade deadline. Haymes is known for his tenacious forechecking and gritty style of play. He excels in high-pressure situations, is good at winning puck battles, and is good at generating scoring chances.
With a powerful shot and the ability to take the puck to the net, Haymes is an offensive threat from the point and in close. He plays a responsible two-way game and is reliable defensively. All these attributes mixed with his high hockey IQ and work ethic made Haymes a sought-after free agent. The Tampa Bay Lightning and New York Rangers were also interested in Haymes, but the Leafs prevailed in acquiring his services for the next two seasons.
Toronto Maple Leafs sign NCAA free-agent Luke Haymes
Although he is unsigned for next season, John Tavares is more than likely to return to the Leafs. However, there is a good chance he will move to the wing. The Leafs depth at the center position includes Auston Matthews, Scott Laughton, Pontus Holmberg, David Kampf, Jacob Quillan, Easton Cowan, and now Haymes.
Haymes would be best suited to start next season with the Marlies unless he impresses the Leafs coaching staff and management enough during pre-season in September. A spot may open up if Kampf is bought out by the team. Since the addition of Laughton, Kampf has been used sparingly. There is no point carrying his full $2.4 million salary cap hit for two more seasons.
If Kampf is bought out, and Tavares agrees to play wing, the Leafs will have two, maybe even three center spots up for grabs next season. Of course they are likely to trade or sign a free-agent, but Hayes could find himself up against the likes of Laughton or Pontus Holmberg for a depth role.
Either way, after trading Fraser Minten and Nikita Grebonkin, it's important that the Leafs are re-stocking the cupboards through free-agency.