When John Chayka embarked on his coaching search for the Toronto Maple Leafs, he made it clear to the media that this decision was going to be the “most critical” one of his tenure as general manager. Fast forward a few weeks, and Chayka has landed his choice: Jim Hiller, who steps in as the new head coach on a three-year deal.
But Chayka’s not stopping there. With free agency opening this Wednesday, he's planning to make some "bigger swings" in the market.
While adding depth is a priority, there’s an opportunity to bring in some real star power. The free-agent pool is tantalizing, featuring names like goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, defensemen Rasmus Andersson and Jacob Trouba, and forwards such as Patrick Kane, Boone Jenner, Mason Marchment, and Anthony Mantha.
Yet, the real game-changer could come via trade, with Zach Werenski being a potential target. Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic and TSN sparked a flurry of speculation over the weekend, suggesting that Werenski might be open to joining the Leafs if Chayka reaches out to Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell.
Werenski’s current contract, with an average annual value of $9.58 million, has two years left, and he's reportedly not planning to re-sign in Columbus. With a full no-movement clause, Werenski holds the cards.
Fresh off winning the Norris Trophy, Werenski is a force on the ice, having racked up 81 points in 75 games last season. His ability to control the game is undeniable, making him a hot commodity.
Unless you’re the Colorado Avalanche with Cale Makar, Werenski would be the top defenseman on any NHL team. The 28-year-old Michigan native is a defensive powerhouse, and acquiring him would be a significant coup for the Leafs.
Meanwhile, there’s a buzz in Toronto as Leafs captain Auston Matthews, represented by the same agent as Werenski, recently welcomed No. 1 draft pick Gavin McKenna to the team during the draft in Buffalo. It’s an exciting time for the Leafs, with the potential for big moves on the horizon.
In Other News...
Senators May Be Closing In On A Cheap Center Fix
Ottawas offseason center search could end up circling back to a familiar kind of gamble: a depth player with enough defensive value to help right away, but not enough cost to make the move feel risky. If Lars Eller signs elsewhere, the Senators may need another option down the middle, and they could start looking at players whose strongest calling cards are faceoff work, penalty-kill utility and the ability to handle a checking-line role without forcing the issue offensively.
One possible target comes out of Montreal, where Joe Veleno is expected to hit the market if he is not re-signed. The appeal for Ottawa is clear enough. He has shown he can contribute in a defensive role, and he has a previous offensive track record that suggests there may still be something to unlock. The question is whether the Senators decide his profile is exactly the kind of low-risk center fix worth pursuing, or whether they wait for a different fit to shake loose. [Read more 🡒]
Senators Could Target Two Leafs Fits Fans Never Expected
Ottawas offseason already has a Toronto wrinkle to it, with the Senators having brought in goalie Samuel Ersson for a 2027 fifth-round pick and still expected to get him signed. That alone would make any follow-up business between the provincial rivals worth watching, especially with Ottawa looking for useful fits rather than splashy swings as it rounds out its roster.
Two names have surfaced as possible targets in that conversation: Nick Robertson and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. Robertson brings a younger, scoring-driven option, while Ekman-Larsson offers a veteran blue-line presence after a productive season, and both would check different boxes for a Senators club still sorting out where the next incremental upgrade might come from. [Read more 🡒]
Senators Fans Are Reliving One Franchise Heist Over A New Chara Comparison
A new oversized defense prospect has Senators fans thinking back to one of the franchises most memorable moves. At the 2026 NHL Draft, the Sharks used a seventh-round pick on Alexander Karmanov, a Moldova native whose frame has already prompted comparisons to former Ottawa captain Zdeno Chara, one of the most imposing players the organization has ever had in its corner.
The comparison naturally sends Ottawa back to the 2001 deal that brought Chara into the fold, along with the draft capital that eventually turned into Jason Spezza. A quarter-century later, the move still stands out as a defining win for the Senators, which is why any new giant with Chara-like buzz is enough to stir up old memories around here. [Read more 🡒]