NHL Free Agency Rumors: Maple Leafs Eliminated From One Top Target's Wish List

As GM Brad Treliving told us weeks ago, the Toronto Maple Leafs want to "change the DNA" of the team. A team with a lot of regular-season talent that just can't break through in the playoffs. There's no doubt that Sam Bennett—the Conn Smythe Trophy winner this year—would be the ultimate DNA change that the Leafs need.

Unfortunately, we're hearing from insider Andy Strickland that even in the remote possibility that Bennett doesn't re-sign with the Florida Panthers, the Toronto-born agitator will NOT have his hometown team on his list of potential destinations.

Hearing Toronto will not be on Sam Bennett’s list of free agent destinations, if unable to come to terms with Florida and he becomes a UFA.
— Andy Strickland (@andystrickland) June 18, 2025

There are some, like David Alter of The Hockey News, who are wondering if this is just a negotiating ploy by Bennett's camp, in order to extract the most money he can from any Leafs' offer.

Bennett once again was a dominant force in the postseason, leading the Panthers to their second straight Stanley Cup on the strength of his gritty two-way play, and a league-leading 15 playoff goals.

This news coincides with an article on Thursday from Sportsnet's Leafs analyst Nick Kypreos in the Toronto Star, who says the Leafs may go all-in and make big offers to not just Bennett, but all three of the Panthers' pending unrestricted free agents.

There is talk the Leafs may shoot for the moon and make offers to Panthers free agents Brad Marchand, Sam Bennett and Aaron Ekblad with hopes to land one or two of them. The key to an Ekblad offer will likely hinge on the Leafs’ ability to get out from under Morgan Rielly’s no-move clause.

The note on Ekblad would require Rielly to agree to waive his no-move clause and be dealt by Toronto. And although Rielly did make an appearance on a Top Trade Candidates list this month, it certainly doesn't sound like that's going to happen, however, as we found out earlier this month.

Needless to say, even apart from the ongoing Mitch Marner drama, the Maple Leafs will be a team to watch in the coming days approaching free agency.