The Maple Leafs have a chance to make Reilly Smith’s next stop about more than just roster depth. If Toronto wants to bring him in, it can also put him within reach of a major career marker: game No. 1,000.
Smith is still unsigned, and he’s one of several veterans available who could get a look on a PTO. Vladimir Tarasenko, Patrik Laine and Michael Bunting are also waiting on their next deal, but Smith brings a different kind of appeal. At 34, he offers experience, two-way value and a track record that stretches well beyond the usual camp invite profile.
He’s coming off a season in which he had 26 points in 69 games with Vegas, and his scoring history has been remarkably steady. Smith has reached double-digit goals in every season since 2012-13, and he’s piled up more than 575 points along with a Stanley Cup. He also has 988 NHL games on his resume, leaving him just 12 short of the 1,000-game plateau.
That’s where Toronto’s situation gets interesting. A PTO would let the Maple Leafs evaluate Smith without immediately burning a contract slot, and he’d get a real chance to show he can still help in a depth role. His ability to play at even strength and on both special teams units gives Jim Hiller another forward who can soak up tough minutes and ease the load on the stars.
On paper, he would also bring more to the table than Steven Lorentz offensively and defensively, while offering more offensive punch than Colton Sissons. But Toronto has already invested heavily in its bottom six, so Smith would still have to earn his way in.
There’s also the contract math. The Maple Leafs are at 50 of 50 contracts after signing Brendan Brisson, so if they wanted to turn a PTO into a real deal, they’d have to clear space first. That could mean moving a player like Dakota Joshua, or perhaps packaging off a couple of minor league contracts.
For Toronto, the upside is obvious: a couple of looks in camp, some added scoring depth, and a veteran who could bring reliable production if he fits. And if Smith gets into 12 games, the Maple Leafs would be handing him a milestone that only a select few players ever reach. If Morgan Rielly also gets to 1,000 games by playing 49 this season, Toronto would wind up with two teammates hitting that mark in the same year - a rare bit of NHL history.
In Other News...
Maple Leafs Prospects Have A Real Chance To Shake Up Camp
The NHL Prospect Showcase on Sept. 12-13 will give a group of Maple Leafs prospects an early chance to separate themselves before training camp opens. For players like Ben Danford and Tinus Luc Koblar, this is more than a tune-up, because the organization will be watching closely to see who looks ready for a longer look and who can start building a case for a depth role.
For a Toronto team that always has a few open questions at camp, these kinds of weekends can matter more than they seem. A strong showing does not guarantee anything, but it can shape who gets extra attention once the real battles begin and help nudge the early depth chart in one direction or another. [Read more 🡒]
Leafs Just Closed Off One Offseason Option Fans Wanted
The Maple Leafs have hit the NHLs 50-contract limit, a notable early-fall checkpoint that leaves the organization with no room to simply add another player without first making a corresponding move. As of Sept. 7, Toronto was the only team in the league sitting at that ceiling, and the recent addition of Brendan Brisson helped push the club into that fully booked position.
For a fan base still hoping for one more offseason swing, the timing matters because it likely shuts the door on any straightforward signing, including professional tryouts, unless the Leafs clear space through a trade or another roster move. Trades are still on the table, so the front office is not out of options, but the path to any further additions just got a lot narrower. [Read more 🡒]
Connor McDavid To Toronto Comes Down To One Leafs Debate
The Connor McDavid chatter around Toronto has settled into a familiar place: not whether the idea is appealing, but whether the Maple Leafs can make themselves the kind of team that could realistically matter to him down the line. A theory making the rounds in local media suggests McDavid would have interest in Toronto if the club is built as a true contender and is prepared to pay him at market value, which is the sort of conversation that naturally follows any hint of a future star available in free agency.
For now, though, the timeline keeps the discussion mostly theoretical. McDavid remains under contract with the Edmonton Oilers through the 2027-28 season, has continued to voice his commitment to winning there, and is preparing for the coming season in Edmonton. Still, the broader debate in Toronto is hard to ignore, because it centers on the same question the Leafs have been chasing for years: can they become the kind of team that elite players would choose without hesitation? [Read more 🡒]