Maple Leafs Eye $35 Million Former No. 2 Draft Pick in Free Agency

The Toronto Maple Leafs could be considering another intriguing addition to their forward group, with reports linking the club to former No. 2 overall pick Patrik Laine. The talented winger remains one of the most recognizable names available in free agency, and Toronto is reportedly among several teams that have shown interest as the market continues to develop.

Laine’s potential availability presents an interesting opportunity for the Maple Leafs. The 28-year-old was selected second overall by the Winnipeg Jets in the 2016 NHL Draft, one pick after Auston Matthews. A move to Toronto would therefore create a reunion between two players who entered the NHL together and have remained prominent figures from that draft class.

The connection to Matthews is intriguing, but Laine’s offensive ability would be the primary reason for Toronto’s interest. Throughout his career, he has established himself as a dangerous goal scorer, particularly when given opportunities on the power play. His powerful shot and ability to find open space can make him a difficult matchup for opposing defenses.

Laine previously signed a four-year, $34.8 million contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets, carrying an average annual value of $8.7 million. That deal has now expired, leaving him as an unrestricted free agent.

His most recent seasons, however, have been complicated. Laine scored 20 goals in 52 games for the Montreal Canadiens during the 2024-25 season, showing that he could still produce offensively. But an injury limited him to just five games during the 2025-26 campaign, making his current situation more difficult to evaluate.

That uncertainty could actually make a short-term agreement attractive for Toronto. Rather than committing significant long-term money, the Maple Leafs could potentially explore a contract structured around performance incentives. Such an arrangement could give Laine an opportunity to rebuild his value while giving Toronto access to a high-upside offensive player without making another massive long-term commitment.

The salary-cap situation is another important factor. Toronto has already made significant moves this offseason and reportedly sits above the projected 2026-27 salary cap. That means adding another expensive player would require careful roster management. A lower-base-salary, incentive-heavy arrangement could potentially make the situation more manageable.

From a hockey perspective, Laine could address one of Toronto’s biggest needs: additional scoring depth. The Maple Leafs have relied heavily on their core offensive players, and adding another proven shooter could make the forward group more dangerous. His presence could also give Toronto another option for its power-play units.

There are obvious risks, though. Laine’s defensive game has never been considered the strongest part of his profile, and his recent injury history creates legitimate questions about his availability and effectiveness. Toronto would need to determine whether his offensive upside outweighs those concerns.

The Maple Leafs are reportedly not the only team interested. The New York Rangers, Minnesota Wild, Tampa Bay Lightning and Philadelphia Flyers have also been connected to Laine, suggesting that Toronto could face competition if the club decides to seriously pursue him.

Ultimately, a potential Laine signing would be a calculated gamble for Toronto. If he can stay healthy and rediscover the scoring form that made him one of the NHL’s most dangerous young shooters, he could provide a major offensive boost. If his injury problems continue, however, the move could become another difficult roster decision.

For the Maple Leafs, the opportunity is clear: add a former elite scoring prospect at a potentially reduced cost and hope a change of scenery brings out his best. With Matthews already leading the franchise into another era, reuniting him with the player selected immediately after him in 2016 would also add an interesting storyline to what could be one of the more fascinating free-agent moves of the summer.

For now, Laine remains available, and Toronto’s reported interest is something Maple Leafs fans will undoubtedly be watching closely.