Toronto Maple Leafs: Key Players Departing This Offseason Besides Mitch Marner, Affecting Team Dynamics.
  • 749 views
  • 2 min read

The Toronto Maple Leafs' 2025 offseason has been largely defined by the departure of Mitch Marner in a sign-and-trade with the Vegas Golden Knights. However, several other players have also departed from the team, marking a significant roster shake-up. While Marner's exit dominated headlines, these other departures, though less significant, are still noteworthy and contribute to the evolving landscape of the team.

One of the more surprising departures is that of Pontus Holmberg. The 26-year-old forward, known for his versatility and two-way play, became an unrestricted free agent after the Maple Leafs did not extend a qualifying offer. Holmberg's ability to draw penalties and his strong defensive game earned him praise from coach Craig Berube, even earning him a promotion to the second line at one point. He also played in all but one of the team's 13 postseason games. Holmberg signed a two-year contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning. His return to Toronto is slated for December 8, 2025, when the Lightning visit the Maple Leafs.

Ryan Reaves was traded to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for defenseman Henry Thrun. Reaves' return to Toronto is scheduled for December 11, 2025, when the Sharks play the Maple Leafs. Thrun, 24, has one season remaining on his two-year contract.

Alex Steeves, who played a combined 14 games for the Maple Leafs, also departed. He signed with the Boston Bruins and will return to Toronto on November 8, 2025, if he makes the Bruins' roster.

Other departures include Alex Steeves, Matt Murray, Ty Voit, Cedric Pare, Nick Abruzzese, and Max Pacioretty. Additionally, key assistant coach Lane Lambert was hired by the Seattle Kraken as their new head coach.

These departures signal a shift in the Maple Leafs' strategy, with General Manager Brad Treliving aiming to build a tougher and more passionate team. The additions of Nicolas Roy, Matias Maccelli, and Dakota Joshua are intended to bring a different dynamic to the roster. Treliving has also re-signed John Tavares, Matthew Knies, and Steven Lorentz.

Several players have been brought in to fill the holes left by these departures. Matias Maccelli was acquired in a trade with the Utah Mammoth. Dakota Joshua was acquired from the Vancouver Canucks. Nicolas Roy arrived from the Vegas Golden Knights as part of the Mitch Marner trade. Michael Pezzetta signed a two-year contract. Other additions include Travis Boyd, Ben King, Ryan McCleary, Benoit-Olivier Groulx, and Vinni Lettieri.

Despite these changes, some observers feel that the Maple Leafs haven't changed enough of their culture this offseason. The team still has Auston Matthews, William Nylander, Matthew Knies, and John Tavares. However, questions remain about the team's depth and whether the new additions can adequately replace Marner's production.

The Maple Leafs may not be done making moves this offseason, as they are reportedly looking to add another top-six forward. Potential trade pieces include Nick Robertson and David Kampf. The team is also linked to free agent forward Jack Roslovic.


Writer - Rohan Reddy
Rohan Reddy is an emerging journalist with a strong commitment to nuanced reporting, propelled by his passion for sports. He possesses a foundational understanding of journalistic principles and is keen to develop his skills in a dynamic media environment. Rohan is eager to explore compelling human interest stories and complex societal issues, aiming to contribute impactful and well-researched content to the field of journalism, always finding inspiration in the competitive spirit of sports.
Advertisement

Latest Post


Sports  |  Aug 18, 2025
The Premier League is back, with Leeds United hosting Everton at Elland Road to wrap up Matchweek 1 of the 2025-26 season. After a two-season absence, Leeds returns to the Premier League after winning the EFL Championship last season. Everton finishe...

World  |  Aug 18, 2025
The State Bank of India (SBI) is expected to announce the Probationary Officer (PO) Prelims Result 2025 in the third week of August 2025. Candidates who appeared for the preliminary exam on August 4th and 5th, 2025, are eagerly awaiting the results t...

World  |  Aug 18, 2025
Heavy rainfall in Thane, Maharashtra, on August 18, 2025, led to severe waterlogging and a harrowing incident where two people were trapped inside their car in a flooded underpass. The underpass, which connects Narivali and Uttarshiv villages in Than...

World  |  Aug 18, 2025
During a recent parliamentary session, Union Minister of State for Science & Technology and MoS PMO, Dr. Jitendra Singh, sparked laughter with a witty remark aimed at quieting disruptions from the opposition. As the opposition members vocally interru...

Advertisement
Entertainment  |  Aug 18, 2025
Rajinikanth's "Coolie" witnessed a significant drop in box office collections on its fifth day, earning an estimated ₹6. 48 crore in India net across all languages. This brings the total India net collection to approximately ₹196. 55 crore. While this ...

World  |  Aug 18, 2025
In a tragic incident in Rajasthan's Jhunjhunu district, a Rajasthan Armed Constabulary (RAC) constable attacked his wife and six-year-old son with a sword before allegedly taking his own life. The constable, identified as Rajkumar Kantiwal, was found...

World  |  Aug 18, 2025
A moderate earthquake with a magnitude of 3. 9 on the Richter scale struck the Kangra region of Himachal Pradesh on August 18, 2025, at approximately 9:28 PM IST. The National Center for Seismology (NCS) reported that the earthquake was centered in Ka...

Technology  |  Aug 18, 2025
Bitcoin and Ether are showing signs of a potential squeeze as traders have amassed record short positions in Ether (ETH), particularly around the $4,300 level. This situation arises amidst a broader market context of fluctuating prices and cautious s...

Advertisement

About   •   Terms   •   Privacy
© 2025 DailyDigest360