Leafs are seen as front-runners for Nikita Zadorov in free agency

The Toronto Maple Leafs are looking to improve their team after a first-round Stanley Cup Playoff exit. Toronto has been in the spotlight in several NHL free agency rumors, but there’s also been a surprising amount of buzz surrounding Vancouver Canucks defenseman Nikita Zadorov.

Will Zadorov land in Toronto?

The Canucks announced on Friday that Zadorov will not re-sign with the team.

“Nikita Zadorov was extremely good for us in the play-offs and a man of character. We did our best and he decided he wanted to go somewhere else,” General Manager Patrik Allvin said after Zadorov reportedly rejected the last offer Vancouver made to him, via NHL Trade Rumors.

Additionally, TSN Insider Darren Dreger reported that more than ten teams have significant interest in Zadorov, with the Maple Leafs leading the charge.

“They like him for a lot of different reasons,” Dreger said. “And know this: Like most general managers, (Leafs GM) Brad Treliving likes the big trees in the backfield. Zadorov has a little bit of grit, and he certainly has the range and the size and covers a lot of real estate.”

Toronto’s defense could use Zadorov’s abilities to get over the hump. The Maple Leafs added size at the 2024 trade deadline with Illya Lyubushkin and Joel Edmondson. However, both are unrestricted free agents. Will the Leafs capitalize on their interest in Zadorov as NHL Free Agency approaches?

Nikita Zadorov played in 58 games in the 2023-2024 season, scoring five goals and nine assists for 14 points. As Patrik Allvin said, Zadorov had a big impact for the Canucks during the Stanley Cup Playoffs, collecting four goals and four assists for a total of eight points in 13 games. Vancouver’s postseason run ended a round later than Toronto’s against the Edmonton Oilers.

As the NHL free agency period rolls around, it will be interesting to see what steps the Maple Leafs make for improvement.

The Maple Leafs appear to be turning around under new leadership

Toronto made the difficult decision to part ways with former head coach Sheldon Keefe after the 2023-24 season. Keefe delivered a heartfelt message after five seasons with the club.

“I am forever grateful for the opportunity to coach the Toronto Maple Leafs,” Keefe wrote on X. “It’s a dream come true for a kid from Brampton. I want to thank Kyle Dubas, Lou Lamoriello, Brad Treliving, Brandon Pridham, Brendan Shanahan, Larry Tanenbaum and the MLSE board for giving me this opportunity to work with the Marlies and Leafs. I didn’t get it done in the playoffs (and) didn’t help push our team over the finish line. I accept responsibility for that. No excuses. That’s the job. I didn’t get it done. It’s the reality of the business and I accept it.”

Additionally, General Manager Brad Treliving discussed the difficulty of letting Keefe go.

“Today’s decision was a difficult one. Sheldon is an excellent coach and a great person. However, we have decided that a new voice is needed to help the team persevere and achieve our ultimate goal,” the GM explained in the official press release. “We thank Sheldon for his hard work and dedication to the organization over the past nine years and wish him and his family the very best,” Treliving said.

The Maple Leafs hired Craig Berube to replace Keefe. Hopefully Berube and Toronto can find more success in the postseason in 2025.