NHL analysts Jonas Siegel and James Mirtle have made waves by suggesting that the Toronto Maple Leafs should be thinking long-term when it comes to their roster strategy.
Instead of making aggressive moves in the upcoming free agency period, the team may be better off holding out for a star-studded 2026 class. Among the names they floated? None other than Connor McDavid.
The analysts, who write for The Athletic, believe the Leafs must tread carefully this summer, especially if key players like Mitch Marner or John Tavares leave in free agency.
While keeping both would be ideal, their departures would force the team to make calculated decisions to maintain their competitive standing.
Should Tavares choose to move on, Siegel and Mirtle suggest the Leafs consider targeting Sam Bennett of the Florida Panthers, though the likelihood of him re-signing in Florida remains high.
If Bennett is unavailable, Matt Duchene could be a viable alternative.
As for Marner’s possible exit, the options are somewhat murkier. Players like Nikolaj Ehlers, Brock Boeser, Brock Nelson, and Mikael Granlund have been speculated as potential replacements, but Boeser seems like the most logical fit for Toronto.
The analysts predict that he would command a contract in the range of $8-9 million per season.
Despite these considerations, the duo believes the upcoming 2025 free agency class is relatively weak compared to what 2026 could offer. That’s why they propose that the Leafs exercise patience and potentially aim for bigger stars next year.
Among the marquee names potentially available in 2026 are Jack Eichel, Artemi Panarin, Kyle Connor, Kirill Kaprizov, and the ultimate dream signing—Connor McDavid.
The possibility of McDavid leaving Edmonton is a long shot, but the analysts raise an interesting scenario. If McDavid decides against signing an extension with the Oilers this summer, he could explore free agency.
Toronto, his hometown team, could become a highly attractive destination, especially considering his close friendship with Auston Matthews and the fact that they share the same agent, Judd Moldaver.
The idea of McDavid joining the Maple Leafs is an exhilarating one for fans, but the reality remains unlikely. The Edmonton Oilers are expected to offer him a historic contract extension, and he has shown no signs of wanting to leave.
Additionally, with Leon Draisaitl recently committing to a long-term deal and the Oilers positioned as serious Stanley Cup contenders, the incentive for McDavid to stay is strong.
Still, Siegel and Mirtle argue that the potential rewards of waiting for 2026 outweigh the immediate benefits of overpaying for a weaker crop of free agents this year.
They acknowledge that this approach carries risks, as many of the top-tier players could be off the market by the time Toronto is ready to make a move.
If the Leafs hold off on replacing Marner or Tavares in the short term and then fail to land a superstar in 2026, they could be left scrambling to fill key roster spots.
In summary, while the idea of McDavid suiting up for the Maple Leafs is little more than a dream at this point, the underlying message from Siegel and Mirtle is clear: Toronto should be strategic with their spending and not rush into signings that could limit their flexibility down the line.
The coming months will reveal whether the Leafs take this cautious approach or opt for more immediate solutions.
