The Toronto Maple Leafs could explore a low-risk move this offseason, with reports suggesting that the club is planning to target former 40-goal scorer Patrik Laine as free agency approaches. According to recent speculation highlighted by The Big Lead, Toronto may consider taking a chance on Laine if the veteran winger reaches the open market on July 1.
Background on Patrik Laine
Laine is expected to leave the Montreal Canadiens after his contract expires. His last contract was a four-year deal worth $34.8 million, with a cap hit of $8.7 million per season, which expired at the end of the 2025-26 season. The 28-year-old winger has a history of scoring 40 goals in a season, but his career has been marked by setbacks. He appeared in only a handful of games during the 2025-26 season due to injury issues, raising questions about his durability and long-term fit.
Potential Contract Structure
Adam Wylde suggested that Laine’s injury reserve could create a unique contract opportunity for interested teams. “If you can sign 28, 29-year-old Patrick Laine and his base salary is a million, but it could maybe go up to five if he scores 40 goals and plays 60 games, I think a lot of teams would take that chance. It’s a good opportunity to go get some cheap goal scoring. If I’m Chayka, I’d do it,” he added.
Maple Leafs' Situation
The Toronto Maple Leafs finished the 2025-26 season with a 32-36-14 record and missed the playoffs for the first time in nearly a decade. This triggered major organizational changes and an aggressive roster retool. The team is in search of a new head coach and additional players to restore their competitiveness. As the Maple Leafs' quest for offensive depth continues in order to reshape their roster under new management, a low-cost deal for Patrik Laine would benefit the team much more than a major financial commitment.
Reports suggest that the idea of signing Laine has stemmed from previous discussions between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Montreal Canadiens involving Laine before the trade deadline, though no deal materialized at that time. With free agency approaching, Toronto may view the former 40-goal scorer as a low-risk gamble during a pivotal offseason.
