Overview
- In early September multiple outlets highlighted a Daily Faceoff Toronto piece by Michael Mazzei that recommended the Maple Leafs invite three specific players to camp on professional tryouts: Patrik Laine, Nick Blankenburg and Michael Bunting.
- Supporters argue Laine offers high upside as a proven goal scorer despite a lost 2025–26 season to core‑muscle surgery, Blankenburg would add versatile right‑shot defensive depth, and Bunting could fit quickly because of prior time in Toronto and familiarity with GM John Chayka.
- The club has not publicly announced any new PTO signings and Laine remains an unsigned free agent, so the suggestions are currently calls for action rather than confirmed moves.
- Analysts point to recent Maple Leafs precedent for converting PTO invitees into NHL contracts — Zach Aston‑Reese, Steven Lorentz and Max Pacioretty are cited as examples of that path leading to roster spots.
- A PTO lets a player attend training camp without a contract or cap hit, which makes it a practical way for Toronto to create short‑term competition before camp while managing the 50‑contract roster limit; the next clear sign to watch is whether the team adds any PTOs before camp opens.