Maple Leafs RFA Outlook: Who Will Sign Contract Extensions This Offseason?

As the NHL’s free agency period officially kicks off, the Toronto Maple Leafs find themselves with $22.28 million in salary cap space. While they have ample room to pursue unrestricted free agents, General Manager John Chayka has some pressing internal matters to address, particularly the status of four restricted free agents (RFAs) set to hit the market on July 1.

The players in question include forwards Jacob Quillan, Nick Robertson, Matias Maccelli, and defenseman Emil Andrae, all of whom are eligible for salary arbitration. Among these RFAs, a ranking emerges regarding their likelihood of receiving qualifying offers and extensions ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.

Starting with Maccelli, he recently completed his first season with the Maple Leafs after being acquired from the Utah Mammoth in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2027 draft. During the 2025-26 season, the Finnish left winger notched 14 goals and 39 points in 71 games, an improvement from his previous campaign in Utah, where he recorded eight goals and 18 points in 55 games. Although he has yet to replicate the career-high numbers he achieved during his third NHL season with the Arizona Coyotes in 2023-24, Maccelli’s performance last year showed promise. After a stretch as a healthy scratch, he returned to the lineup on December 20, scoring 10 goals and accumulating 30 points in his final 50 games.

Maccelli’s previous contract carried a cap hit of $3.425 million, and a qualifying offer would require an investment of $4.11 million from the Maple Leafs.

Nick Robertson, who has been through contract negotiations before, is another player to watch. After filing for salary arbitration last season, he signed a one-year deal worth $1.825 million. At 24, Robertson is likely to sign another short-term deal as he seeks to solidify his position in the lineup. Despite limited ice time, he set career highs with 16 goals and 16 assists for 32 points in 75 games last season. However, competition remains fierce, with other wingers like Matthew Knies and William Nylander ahead of him on the depth chart, complicating his chances of securing a regular spot.

A qualifying offer for Robertson would mirror his previous deal at $1.825 million.

Fresh off a Calder Cup victory with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies, Jacob Quillan aims to make a stronger push for an NHL roster spot next season. The 24-year-old participated in about a quarter of the Maple Leafs’ games last season, tallying one goal and three points in 23 appearances. Most of his production came during his time in the minors, where he recorded 14 goals and 36 points in 40 games. Quillan’s previous contract, signed after going undrafted, carries a cap hit of $875,000, and the Maple Leafs would need to extend a qualifying offer of $850,000 to retain him.

Emil Andrae stands out as the most likely RFA to secure a contract with the Maple Leafs. Although he has yet to play a game for Toronto, the defenseman was a key component in a trade with the Philadelphia Flyers. Last season, Andrae played 64 games for Philadelphia, scoring two goals and earning 13 points while posting a plus-15 rating. The Maple Leafs are expected to ink Andrae to a deal, as he comes off a three-year entry-level contract with a cap hit of $903,333. A qualifying offer for him would amount to $874,125.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.