The summer of 2025 is shaping up to be one of drastic changes inside the Toronto Maple Leafs‘ organization. Ahead of the 2025-26 NHL season, Auston Matthews is set to lose his dynamic-duo, Mitch Marner. In hopes of filling the void, the Leafs have made re-signing other stars a top priority. On that note, reports indicate new deals are on their way for two crucial players.
Last season’s playoff elimination was one that shook the foundations of the Maple Leafs and called for immediate changes. However, the franchise in Toronto isn’t looking to part ways with everything that it built in the past.
Marner is set to move on to the next chapter in his NHL career, but that might be the only household departure in Toronto. Like Marner, former captain John Tavares and rising star Matthew Knies’ contracts are up on July 1st. Both names are fan-favorites in The Six, and two talents the Leafs are seemingly determined to avoid them making it to the open market.
While Tavares will become an unrestricted free agent (UFA), Knies’ situation is a bit more complex, as he is a restricted free agent (RFA). Toronto cannot risk other teams sending offer sheets to their 22-year-old winger. Marner might be a lost-cause, but the Maple Leafs won’t try their luck regarding Matthews‘ key teammates, Tavares and Knies.
John Tavares and Matthew Knies are expected to sign their contract extensions in the next week or two, as reported by insider James Mirtle on TSN 1050 Toronto.
Calm and collected
The Maple Leafs remain optimistic about Knies’ situation. The former Minnesota Golden Gophers product in the NCAA will be sought-after by several NHL teams if he makes it to free agency. However, Toronto holds the signing rights, and it’s reportedly not losing any sleep to a potential departure.
“The Leafs remain confident they will get Matthew Knies inked to a reasonable second contract without any offer-sheet drama,” Mirtle stated.