Toronto Maple Leafs in Active Discussions to Land Veteran Center Charlie Coyle
Toronto, ON — The Toronto Maple Leafs are reportedly in advanced talks to acquire veteran forward Charlie Coyle, as the franchise looks to strengthen its center depth ahead of the 2025-26 NHL season.
According to sources close to the situation, the Maple Leafs have entered negotiations with the Colorado Avalanche regarding a deal for Coyle, who is in the final year of his six-year, $31.5 million contract originally signed with the Boston Bruins. The 32-year-old forward, now with Colorado, has become an intriguing target for Leafs general manager Brad Treliving as Toronto seeks to bolster its secondary scoring and balance its forward lines.
If the deal goes through, Coyle is expected to take over as Toronto’s second-line center, which would result in long-time captain John Tavares being moved to the third line. This adjustment would provide the Leafs with one of the deepest center lineups in the Eastern Conference, giving head coach Craig Berube greater flexibility and matchup strength across all three lines.
Coyle’s offensive contributions have remained steady despite changes in scenery. Splitting time between the Bruins and the Avalanche last season, he tallied 17 goals and 18 assists for a total of 35 points. Known for his reliable two-way play and physical presence down the middle, Coyle’s addition could help Toronto finally push beyond the early rounds of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
“Charlie brings a mix of veteran leadership, grit, and playoff experience that we’ve been lacking in the middle six,” one Leafs insider noted. “He doesn’t shy away from high-pressure situations and has consistently proven he can deliver timely offense.”
From a financial standpoint, Coyle’s $5.25 million cap hit is manageable, especially considering his expiring contract. Toronto could view the move as a low-risk, high-reward acquisition—one that not only deepens their roster but also provides the option to assess his fit before considering a longer-term commitment.
Talks between the two clubs have reportedly intensified in recent days, with potential trade pieces from Toronto including draft picks or a prospect. While nothing has been finalized, insiders suggest that both sides are motivated to reach a deal before training camps begin in September.
For the Maple Leafs, whose core—Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and William Nylander—remains in its prime, the urgency to maximize their championship window is paramount. Adding a player like Coyle, who boasts over 800 games of NHL experience and a strong postseason track record, could be a calculated step toward becoming a more complete team.
Leafs fans, long starved for a deep playoff run, will be watching closely as negotiations unfold. If finalized, the deal would signal Toronto’s intent to recalibrate its forward corps and address the long-standing concern of overreliance on top-line production.
More updates are expected in the coming days as both franchises work toward a potential agreement.
