'We're Blessed With A Lot Of Good Depth': Maple Leafs' GM John Chayka Sets Roster For 2026-27 NHL Season

With that, the team's NHL roster is essentially set, with the latest move being defenseman Nick Blankenburg signing a one-year contract with the Leafs for $1.4 million . The 28-year-old earned that contract after joining Toronto's training camp on a PTO.

The Maple Leafs now have eight NHL defensemen in their system. It will be a challenge for the team to distribute ice time for that depth, especially for blueliners like Troy Stecher , Emil Andrae and Blankenburg, who all float around the mix for the sixth or seventh defenseman role.

"I've never had an NHL head coach say we have too many good quality defensemen," Chayka said after Monday's practice at Scotiabank Arena. "So, just any time we got a chance to get a defenseman that we thought could skate, move the puck, defend, join the rush, facilitate offense.