Maple Leafs Reportedly Eyeing Two Former Canucks
According to Rick Dhaliwal of the “Donnie & Dhali” show, the Toronto Maple Leafs are interested in two soon-to-be unrestricted free agents (UFAs) from the Vancouver Canucks: Dakota Joshua and Nikita Zadorov.
Dhaliwal stated, “I will not be surprised if the Maple Leafs take a long look at Zadorov and Joshua if they reach free agency on July 1. Joshua is a player that teams want for the playoffs. If Joshua hits the market, he will attract significant interest.”
Connections to Toronto
Both players have ties to the Maple Leafs organization. Joshua and Toronto’s new head coach Craig Berube were both with the St. Louis Blues from 2020 to 2022. Joshua was originally drafted by the Maple Leafs in 2014 but was traded to the Blues in 2019. Zadorov has a history with Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving from their time together with the Calgary Flames until the 2023-24 season.
Potential Contracts for Joshua & Zadorov
Predicting their contracts is challenging, but their relationships with the Maple Leafs’ management could make Toronto a front-runner for both.
**Nikita Zadorov:** Zadorov, known for his unique defensive style, is expected to be a priority. With six goals and 20 points this season and a strong playoff performance, he could command around $4.5–$6 million per season. Given his size (6’5″, 220 pounds) and defensive capabilities, the Maple Leafs should consider offering him $5 million annually for five years.
**Dakota Joshua:** Joshua had a standout year, scoring 18 goals and 32 points in 63 games. If he seeks a contract around $4 million, the Maple Leafs may not afford him due to their $18.8 million projected cap space and other priorities like re-signing Tyler Bertuzzi or Max Domi. Unless they clear cap space, Joshua might need to lower his asking price to around $3 million per season for three to four years.
Impact on the Maple Leafs
Signing Zadorov and Joshua would enhance the team’s depth and physicality, crucial for a deep playoff run. They would relieve pressure on star players and could revitalize the team’s physical, hard-to-play-against identity, reigniting fan passion.
