The waiver wire opened Thursday afternoon, and one familiar name popped up for the Maple Leafs: Stefan Noesen.
The former Toronto forward was placed on waivers by the New Jersey Devils, creating a possible path back to the organization after a short and mostly forgettable previous stint. Noesen has not recorded a point in two games this season for New Jersey and carries a minus-2 rating. Last season, he put up seven points for the Devils in 2026-26, but health issues made it hard for him to stay in the lineup.
Even with that uneven stretch, Noesen still brings traits Toronto could use. He is only two seasons removed from a 41-point year and has already shown he can score 20 goals. At 83 goals and 175 points in 484 career games, he also offers some size and physicality on the wing.
Toronto knows him from the past. Noesen was part of the three-team blockbuster that also sent former Columbus Blue Jackets captain Nick Foligno to the Maple Leafs. He played just one game for Toronto before the team chose not to sign him in free agency, and he moved on to Carolina.
Now, a return would make some sense on paper. Toronto’s fourth line has not provided much offense, and Noesen could give that group a little more punch without sacrificing the heavier game he’s known for. He would also represent a more established option than Bo Groulx, who has been quiet to start the season.
The price tag is manageable, too. Noesen carries a $2.75 million cap hit and will be a free agent after this season, which makes him a relatively low-risk claim. After missing out on players like Connor Zary, the Maple Leafs could use an insurance move, and Noesen fits that idea.
Teams have 24 hours to claim Noesen, or any of the other players on waivers, before they are assigned to their AHL clubs.
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