Toronto Maple Leafs News

Merzlikins underwent shoulder surgery in the offseason and will begin the 2026-27 season on the Injured Non-Roster list with Columbus' season opener on October 1st vs. Buffalo. The 32-year-old appeared in 30 games last season while splitting time with Jet Greaves and posted a 14-11-3 record, 3.40 GAA and .883 SV%. Cam Talbot will serve as the Blue Jackets' No.2 netminder while Merzlikins is out.

Paul left Wednesday's preseason game vs. Ottawa with an undisclosed injury and did not return. While the 30-year-old forward's availability for the season opener is uncertain, Head Coach Jim Hiller insisted the his injury is day-to-day. Paul was acquired in a trade with Tampa Bay in the offseason after putting up seven goals, 15 points, and 68 SOG in an injury-filled 51-game campaign in 2025-26.

Paul's Maple Leafs debut may have to wait after the 30-year-old left Wednesday's preseason game vs. Ottawa with an undisclosed injury and did not return. Paul's injury is not expected to be serious, but the Maple Leafs will provide updates on Thursday when they address the media. He was acquired in a trade with Tampa Bay in the offseason after putting up seven goals, 15 points, and 68 SOG in an injury-filled 51-game campaign in 2025-26.

GM John Chayka said Joshua has been battling a core injury for an extended period, but insists he remains day-to-day. The 30-year-old Joshua had a decent inaugural season with the Maple Leafs in 2025-26, scoring 18 points (10G / 8A) and recording 195 hits while playing 55 games in a bottom-six role.

Joshua has been dealing with an undisclosed injury in training camp and head coach Jim Hiller did not specify whether Joshua will be ready for opening night vs. Montreal on September 29th. Expect Steven Lorentz to take Joshua's spot on the 4th line if he can't play the opener.

Domi underwent surgery in May but dealt with complications and remains out indefinitely after failing his physical before training camp. The Maple Leafs rebuilt their depth to help deal with Domi's absence, adding Teddy Blueger, Nick Paul, Colton Sissons, and Brandon Duhaime this offseason.

The 16-year veteran only played 11 games last year and did not play after December 28th. Tanev underwent core muscle surgery in March and is as "healthy as anybody" according to Maple Leafs' GM John Chayka.

Domi's offseason was full of uncertainty after it was announced that he would be out indefinitely following lower-body surgery, and is expected to now miss training camp as the Maple Leafs preseason begins to start. The 31-year-old is entering his 12th NHL season and fourth in Toronto after putting up 12 goals and 36 points in 95 PIMs in 80 games played last year.

Villeneuve will remain in the Maple Leafs organization for two more season after the team announced Wednesday that they had signed the 24-year-old to a two-year, two-way contract extension. The French Canadian defensemen made his NHL debut for the Maple Leafs last season during a short, three-game stint but spent the majority of 2025-26 with the Marlies (AHL), where he had three goals and 30 points in 61 games played. He is expected to start the season with the Marlies but will provide the Maple Leafs with much needed defensive depth throughout the season if need be.

Tverberg will remain a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs organization for a fourth straight season after the forward signed a one-year, two-way contract on Sunday. The 24-year-old was Toronto's 2020 7th round pick (213th overall) and appeared in two games with the Maple Leafs last season after putting up 15 goals and 36 points with the Toronto Marlies (AHL).

McKenna was selected 1st overall by Toronto at this year's NHL Entry Draft and has signed his first professional contract after agreeing to a three-year, entry-level contract with the Maple Leafs. The 18-year-old Yukon native spent 2025-26 at Penn State (NCAA) after three seasons in the WHL and set the world by storm after putting up 15 goals, 51 points and 36 PIMs in 35 games played with the Nittany Lions.

Toronto has added significant forward depth this offseason, with Lettieri adding to the growing list of capable forwards that can flourish in a bottom-six role. The 31-year-old forward spent the entire 2025-26 season in the AHL, where he scored 42 points (14G / 28A) in 55 games with the Toronto Marlies.