Connor McDavid Who? New UFA Emerges as the Toronto Maple Leafs' Top Target in 2026
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Connor McDavid re-signed with the Edmonton Oilers, and as a result, the Toronto Maple Leafs need to find a new UFA target for the summer of 2016.
The Toronto Maple Leafs need another top-six forward on their roster, and general manager Brad Treliving has been hard at work trying to find the right guy.
Unfortunately, that has been a lot easier said than done. The Leafs just don't have a ton of options out there, especially when it comes to the trade market.
The 2026 UFA class was supposed to be incredible, but with Connor McDavid already signed, the Leafs have to look elsewhere.
Toronto Maple Leafs can look at Adrian Kempe
Luckily, Adrien Kempe of the Los Angeles Kings is a realistic option. The forward is currently negotiating with the Kings, and according to Elliotte Friedman, it is not going well.
It's been pretty far apart, it's been tough to bridge that gap; it's still not close
While Friedman believes that Kempe could eventually get signed, there just isn't a great chance of it happening in the season.
I don't know how to read this Kempe one, I don't know how to read this Tuch one; I'm not saying it's impossible in either case...but I'm not as certain that there's pathways there yet
If you are a Toronto Maple Leafs fan, a Kempe signing would be a fun prospect. He is a guy who can get you close to a point-per-game, and he plays on the right wing.
Kempe would be the perfect guy to put next to Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies. That said, it is still a wish and not a reality.
Only time will tell whether or not the Leafs can make a big splash next summer. First, the team must focus on the season at hand.
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