Toronto Maple Leafs
· 2026-07-09
Toronto Maple Leafs are being urged to add 33‑goal winger Anthony Mantha to their roster as the club fights to improve a 32‑36 record that leaves them 15th in the Eastern Conference and on a seven‑game losing streak.
Analyst Jim Parsons of The Hockey Writers points to Mantha’s 33‑goal, 31‑assist season with Pittsburgh as proof that the 28‑year‑old can deliver top‑six scoring. At 6‑foot‑5, 240 lb, he offers size that the Leafs lack on their wing. Parsons notes that if the free‑agent market is simply indifferent, a “show‑me” deal could lock him in for a year at a modest cap hit. The logic is that a longer wait could drive his price down, making him a low‑risk gamble for a team desperate for secondary offense.
Former NHL netminder Carter Hutton, now an analyst on DailyFaceoff Live, echoes the caution. He reminds fans that Mantha’s production has been uneven in recent years and that teams may be wary of a one‑year contract that could backfire. Still, Hutton admits the combination of size and a proven goal‑scoring touch makes him an attractive option for any club with cap space, especially one looking to fill a second‑line role.
General manager John Chayka has already reshaped the roster, adding depth to the bottom six. Yet Chayka told Real Kyper & Bourne that “star‑hunt” remains his top priority, implying the front office is still scanning the market for a game‑changing forward. The Leafs sit over the cap, but a one‑year, prove‑it contract could be structured to stay within limits while adding a power‑forward who can net 25‑30 goals.
If the Leafs lock in Mantha before their next matchup against the Montreal Canadiens on September 19, 2026, they would have a fresh offensive weapon heading into a crucial stretch. Adding a player who can battle in the corners and finish on the rush could relieve pressure on Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, especially as the team tries to snap its seven‑game skid. The move would also signal to the fan base that Toronto is still willing to spend to climb out of the 15th‑place hole.
Mantha’s inconsistency remains his biggest question mark. Critics point to a dip in production during his 2023‑24 and 2024‑25 seasons, suggesting the 64‑point breakout might have been an outlier. If he signs a modest deal and fails to replicate his goal totals, the Leafs could waste cap space that might otherwise go to a younger, more reliable scorer. Still, the potential upside of a 30‑goal winger who can also protect the net in high‑traffic areas may outweigh the gamble.
Parsons argues that waiting longer could lower Mantha’s price but also risks losing him to a rival willing to meet his demands. The Leafs’ current losing streak adds urgency; a timely acquisition could shift momentum before the playoffs become a distant dream. For a club perched at the bottom of the East, a single top‑six forward could be the spark needed to turn the tide.