The Toronto Maple Leafs' general manager Brad Treliving spoke of a 'DNA change' for the team, but recent actions like re-signing existing players and letting Mitch Marner dictate his release terms suggest minimal change. The article speculates that the Leafs' strategy only makes sense if they are secretly pursuing Connor McDavid, who has one year left on his Oilers' deal and has been non-committal about re-signing. Acquiring McDavid, especially if he brings a Stanley Cup to Toronto, would be a historic achievement and fundamentally change the team's narrative.
If the Leafs want a DNA change, they should be thinking about Connor McDavid
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TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️The Toronto Maple Leafs' general manager Brad Treliving spoke of a 'DNA change' for the team, but recent actions like re-signing existing players and letting Mitch Marner dictate his release terms suggest minimal change. The article speculates that the Leafs' strategy only makes sense if they are secretly pursuing Connor McDavid, who has one year left on his Oilers' deal and has been non-committal about re-signing. Acquiring McDavid, especially if he brings a Stanley Cup to Toronto, would be a historic achievement and fundamentally change the team's narrative.
Trending- 1 Last few weeks: Toronto GM Brad Treliving discusses 'DNA change' for the Leafs
- 2 Current summer: Leafs make minor changes, re-sign players, Mitch Marner leaves
- 3 Next year: Connor McDavid's contract with the Edmonton Oilers expires
- Leafs' current strategy seen as 'paralysis' without a major move
- Potential for a historic acquisition if McDavid joins the Leafs
- Significant impact on McDavid's legacy if he wins a title in Toronto
- Risk of the Leafs' plan floundering if McDavid is not acquired
What: Speculation that the Toronto Maple Leafs' current off-season strategy, which appears to involve minimal significant changes despite calls for a 'DNA change,' might be predicated on a secret pursuit of NHL star Connor McDavid.
When: Summer (current off-season, reported July 1, 2025), looking ahead to next year when McDavid's contract expires.
Where: Toronto, Ontario, Canada (for the Maple Leafs); Edmonton, Alberta, Canada (for the Oilers).
Why: The Leafs' GM Brad Treliving stated a need for 'DNA change' but the team's actions haven't reflected major overhauls, leading to speculation that a larger, unannounced plan (like acquiring McDavid) is in play. McDavid's non-committal stance on re-signing with the Oilers fuels this theory.
How: By potentially freeing up salary cap space and planning finances for next summer to accommodate a star player like McDavid, and hoping for both the Leafs to improve and the Oilers to decline.