Maple Leafs Seek Center Upgrades Amid Offseason Roster Overhaul

As the 2025 NHL offseason approaches, the Toronto Maple Leafs are expected to actively reshape their roster following another early playoff exit, focusing heavily on strengthening their center depth and overall lineup. Key trade candidates around the league include Marco Rossi, who is unlikely to fit the Maple Leafs' style, and more viable options like Phillip Danault, who offers defensive reliability and penalty-killing ability at a reasonable cap hit. In free agency, the Leafs should consider centers such as Sam Bennett, Matt Duchene, and Jonathan Toews to bolster depth, while also targeting depth forwards like Eric Robinson to improve scoring and speed in the lower lines. The team faces tough salary cap decisions, with options like buying out contracts for players such as Ryan Reaves and Calle Järnkrok possibly being less advantageous than placing them on waivers and assigning them to the AHL to save cap space and maintain roster flexibility. With trade protections and the need for draft picks, the Maple Leafs may also look at moving players like Chris Kreider to create space for these acquisitions. Overall, the Leafs are prioritizing a center who can play a strong No. 2 role behind Auston Matthews and enhancing depth scoring and grit to change the team’s playoff fortunes.