3 NHL stars Maple Leafs must consider during 2025 offseason to bolster depth at center ft. Sam Bennett

The Toronto Maple Leafs are expected to have an active offseason after another early playoff exit.

Toronto was eliminated in the second round of the playoffs by the Florida Panthers. After the exit, the Maple Leafs' general manager, Brad Treliving, said the team has to change its DNA.

One area of need for Toronto is at center ice, and here are three centers the Maple Leafs should consider to bolster their depth.

3 NHL centers the Maple Leafs should consider

#1, Sam Bennett

Sam Bennett will be the top centerman available in free agency and he makes a ton of sense for the Maple Leafs.

Bennett is a local player and would be a perfect second-line center, which would push John Tavares to the third line if he re-signs, which would be ideal.

Bennett is a gritty forward who adds some grittiness to the roster, which is needed. He is also a playoff performer, which Toronto needs.

#2, Matt Duchene

Matt Duchene is a pending free agent - Source: Imagn

Matt Duchene is one of the top free-agent centers available, and if he reaches July 1, Toronto will likely be interested in him.

Duchene is from Ontario and would be a good second or third-line center and add some scoring to the roster. Despite being 34, he's still an effective player, so he won't be cheap.

Duchene recorded 30 goals and 52 assists for 82 points in 82 games for the Dallas Stars last season.

#3, Jonathan Toews

Jonathan Toews was one of the best players in hockey during his prime, but he hasn't played since 2023 due to health issues.

Toews is looking to make a comeback and will likely sign a league minimum deal. The centerman will likely want to play for a winner, and could be a third or fourth-line center for the Maple Leafs.

Toews would bring leadership to the locker room as he was the Chicago Blackhawks captain and helped them win three Stanley Cups during their reign.

Toews recorded 15 goals and 16 assists for 31 points in 53 games during the 2022-23 season, which was the last time he played.

About the author

Cole is an NHL, NFL and College Sports reporter at Sportskeeda with over 7 years of experience writing for publications like CBC, USA Today, SMG, BJPENN, Sherdog and SB Nation.

An NHL fan his whole life, Cole played rep hockey in Canada from age 5 until 17 and grew up rooting for Martin St. Louis and the Tampa Bay Lightning. His all-time favorite players are Vincent Lecavalier and Steven Stamkos, while Jon Cooper is his favorite coach of all time.

Cole attended Sheridan College and received his journalism degree in 2019. After decades of watching and reporting, he considers his knowledge of sports as his primary strength. He ensures that the same story has been reported by at least two reputed reporters before creating it.

Cole enjoys playing golf and spending time with friends and family when not reporting breaking stories. His favorite sports moment is from the 2010 Olympics, when Sidney Crosby scored the golden goal in overtime to beat Team USA for the gold medal.

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Edited by Cole Shelton