As the NHL season concludes, the Toronto Maple Leafs face a critical deadline regarding three prospects whose rights may soon expire. With the NCAA hockey season also ending, this is typically a busy time for signing young talent—but Toronto risks losing these players if they don’t act soon.
Why This Time Matters
Every year, NHL teams rush to sign college and junior players before losing their exclusive negotiating rights. The Maple Leafs have already signed several free agents, including Borya Valis, Luke Haymes, and John Prokop, to help restock their prospect pool after recent trades depleted their depth.
This signing period is especially crucial for NCAA players. Stars like Matthew Knies, Cale Makar, and Luke Hughes all launched their NHL careers by signing at this time of year. Unfortunately for Toronto, none of their remaining unsigned prospects appear poised for an immediate NHL impact—and if they aren’t signed by August 15, 2025, the Leafs will lose their rights entirely.
Past Missed Opportunities
Last summer, the Leafs failed to sign Veeti Miettinen and Brandon Lisowsky, allowing them to become free agents. Miettinen returned to Finland’s top league, while Lisowsky dominated in the WHL before committing to NCAA hockey next season.
Now, history could repeat itself with three more prospects:
1. Mike Koster, D
Drafted 146th overall in 2019, Koster is a 5’10”, 190-pound left-shot defenseman who spent five seasons at the University of Minnesota, serving as captain for the last two. With 89 points in 180 games (per EliteProspects), he recently signed an ECHL deal with the Iowa Heartlanders (affiliate of the Minnesota Wild) rather than an NHL contract.
2. Wyatt Schingoethe, F
Acquired in a 2020 trade, Schingoethe was a seventh-round pick (195th overall) known for his defensive play as a center. However, his limited production at Western Michigan University (15 points in 82 games) leaves his future uncertain, with no pro contract currently in place.
3. John Fusco, D
Another seventh-rounder from 2020, Fusco improved steadily across five NCAA seasons, split between Harvard and Dartmouth. The 5’10”, 190-pound right-shot defenseman posted 51 points in 112 games and plays with physicality. While he could land a minor-league deal, Toronto seems unlikely to offer one given Treliving’s preference for bigger defensemen.
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