3 Toronto Maple Leafs Who Won't Be Back Next Season

The Toronto Maple Leafs put up a valiant effort against the Boston Bruins in the final three games of their opening round series, but, as has been the case in five of the six years of the so-called 'Core Four' era, and seven of the last eight years, it wasn't enough to escape the first round. Changes, and plenty of them, are on the horizon.

While some major decisions have to be made about the likes of Mitch Marner, who will be entering the final year of his deal, and key impending UFAs Tyler Bertuzzi and Max Domi, there are some others on the roster that we can certainly say now, are not expected back next season. Just to start the conversation, here are three players who won't be donning the blue & white in 2024-25.

Ilya Samsonov

After backstopping the Leafs to their first playoff series win in 20 years last season, Samsonov was supposed to be the No. 1 goalie this year. It didn't work out that way, and he was a massive disappointment. One can easily point to his play in the first few games of their 7-game series loss to the Bruins as one of the main reasons they went down 3-1 in the series. As an unrestricted free agent, it's highly doubtful the Leafs will be interested in re-upping with Samsonov, especially as he insisted on Monday that he'll be "interested in term" on his next contract.

TJ Brodie

Once a key top-four piece on the Leafs blueline, Brodie slipped considerably in the pecking order as the season progressed, to the point where he was dropped completely out of the mix for the playoffs. A UFA, about to turn 34, he will most certainly not be back as Toronto looks to re-shape its D for next season.

Mark Giordano

He's been a warrior for this Leafs club over the past couple of seasons, but at age 40 now, his effectiveness—and the Leafs' willingness to utilize him—diminished over the course of this season. As another UFA, it's a slam dunk that Giordano will not be returning to the Toronto blueline.

Obviously, there are many others who the Leafs must make decisions on, like pending free agents Ilya Lyubushkin and Joel Edmundson. It'll be a busy offseason for GM Brad Treliving.