Insider Elliotte Friedman reports that the Toronto Maple Leafs are focusing on strengthening their center depth this summer, even after bringing in a young player on an amateur tryout. Earlier on Thursday, the Maple Leafs signed prospect defenseman John Prokop to an amateur tryout contract, and he will join the Toronto Marlies
🖊 We’ve signed defenceman John Prokop to a one-year contract beginning in the 2025-26 season.
He will join the @TorontoMarlies for the remainder of the 2024-25 season on an amateur tryout. pic.twitter.com/oVRzdNWcw3
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) March 20, 2025
In his latest “32 Thoughts” column, Elliotte Friedman noted that Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving is looking to enhance the team’s center depth this summer.
“John Prokop is a solid addition for Toronto,” Friedman mentioned. “The Maple Leafs recently traded two first-round picks and two prospects for Brandon Carlo and Scott Laughton, so they need to replenish their prospect pool. Their free-agent shopping isn’t over yet, as they’re still targeting a center.”
Several players, such as Yanni Gourde, Mikael Granlund, Alex Iafallo, Brock Nelson, and Ryan Donato, will become free agents on July 1, and Treliving may have his eye on them.
Additionally, the Leafs must make a decision regarding center John Tavares, who is entering the final year of his seven-year contract signed in summer 2018.
Many of the aforementioned players are not expected to command overly high salaries in their next contracts, making them potential fits for a Leafs team with championship ambitions.
Gourde was recently returned to the Tampa Bay Lightning, where he won back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2020 and 2021, while Granlund was moved from the struggling San Jose Sharks to the contending Dallas Stars.
Iafallo is currently with the Winnipeg Jets, and Brock Nelson was just traded from the New York Islanders to the Colorado Avalanche.
Donato was the subject of numerous trade rumors during his time with the underperforming Chicago Blackhawks, but the team ultimately decided to retain him.
The Maple Leafs have had a strong season so far, holding a record of 41-24-3 and sitting second in the Atlantic Division, just behind the Florida Panthers.
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