The Maple Leafs have picked up a little more breathing room with Cooper Williams, and they didn’t have to burn a contract slot to get it.
Williams, a fifth-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, has committed to North Dakota for 2027-28. For Toronto, that sets up a longer runway in his development, one that stretches well beyond his time with the Saskatoon Blades of the WHL.
That matters because Williams is still unsigned, and the Leafs can hold his rights until June 1, 2030. Since he has not signed an NHL Standard Player Contract, he does not count against Toronto’s 50-contract limit.
That part is especially useful right now. The Leafs already have all 50 contract slots occupied, so there isn’t any room to spare. Williams gives them a way to keep developing a prospect without spending one of those precious slots.
He’s a left-handed forward with some speed, and he has flashed potential in Saskatoon. Now he’ll get another step in his path through the college game, where Toronto can keep tracking him without having to make an immediate NHL commitment.
The NCAA route also changes the kind of evaluation the Leafs can do. Instead of only watching him in the WHL, they’ll be able to see how he handles a different level of competition and a different kind of physical test before those rights expire in 2030.
Over the next few years, Toronto can judge his role growth, how he adjusts to the NCAA, his skating, his strength, and his offensive ability. And all of that comes while the club keeps its contract flexibility intact.
For a team sitting right on the 50-contract limit, that kind of setup is valuable in more ways than one.
In Other News...
Maple Leafs Could Face One Tough Decision With Reilly Smith
The Maple Leafs are weighing a professional tryout for Reilly Smith, a veteran forward whose rsum still carries plenty of value for a team looking to deepen its options. With more than 575 points and approaching 1,000 NHL games, Smith would bring experience, versatility and another layer of depth to a Toronto forward group that is always under the microscope.
The catch is roster math. Toronto already has a full contract roster, so inviting Smith in on a PTO is the easy part compared with what comes next if the fit is right. Before any deal could become real, the Leafs would have to clear space, and that is where a seemingly straightforward veteran addition can turn into a tougher decision than it first appears. [Read more 🡒]
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 🡒]