​The Toronto Maple Leafs have undergone a significant restructuring of their roster, and it seems likely they aren’t finished yet. Under the guidance of general manager John Chayka, the team has moved quickly to bolster its roster after a surprisingly disappointing previous season. The Maple Leafs missed the playoffs for the first time in ten years, finishing with 78 points—the second-lowest total in the Eastern Conference.
Chayka has already targeted upgrades, including a potential pursuit of Stanley Cup-winning goalie Sergei Bobrovsky and former Tampa Bay Lightning standout defenseman Darren Raddysh. He has also moved on from veteran players such as Joseph Woll, Brandon Carlo, and Simon Benoit.
There has been chatter about adding three-time Stanley Cup champion Patrick Kane, especially in light of the team’s recent decision to draft a promising offensive talent, Gavin McKenna, with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. Kane, who is 37, remains a productive player, posting 16 goals and 57 points with the Detroit Red Wings last season. NHL insider David Pagnotta has noted discussions about Kane’s potential arrival in Toronto, describing them as very “loose.”
“I think there’s been some conversations with Toronto, but I think very loose,” Pagnotta said.
Historically, Kane was arguably the most dominant player of the 2010s, leading the NHL in scoring for that decade and establishing himself as one of the greatest American players of all time. He became the youngest American to reach 1,000 career points and holds the record for the most career points by an American-born player.
The key question is whether Kane fits the Maple Leafs both on the ice and within the salary cap. Toronto already faces a forward lineup logjam, with defensive needs taking precedence after the club ranked near the bottom in goals allowed during the 2025-26 season. That defensive vulnerability was a major factor behind the organizational overhaul and a contributor to signing the 37-year-old Bobrovsky to a substantial contract that Florida Panthers were unwilling to offer.
Moreover, the Maple Leafs currently sit about $2.75 million over the cap after signing several free agents. Kane’s value as a productive offensive player and his status as a three-time Stanley Cup champion will ensure he attracts interest from multiple teams. In a summer where Kane’s possible destinations include clusters of teams with playoff aspirations, several options loom large.
Last season, Kane was a strong contributor for Detroit, ranking fourth on the team in goals and fifth in points. Rumors have suggested he could consider returning to the Chicago Blackhawks—where he won three Stanley Cups and where he hasn’t played since the 2022-23 season—in a possible reunion. There has also been speculation that Kane could chase another title with a contender such as the Buffalo Sabres, a probability boosted by his Buffalo roots, as the Sabres finished the 2024-25 campaign with 109 points, the second-best mark in the Eastern Conference.