National Hockey League free agency is in full swing, and with the majority of NHL teams filling out their projected opening night rosters, the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Montreal Canadiens have one thing in common. They are both looking for a top six forward. Toronto lost Mitch Marner to the Vegas Golden Knights in an offseason trade, and Montreal lost Christian Dvorak to Philadelphia. Here are five forwards who could be available.
Max Pacioretty
Pacioretty is a 36-year-old veteran winger who has experience with the Canadiens and Maple Leafs. He only made $873,770 last season with Toronto and wants to stay in the Eastern time zone, relatively close to his family, as he was from New Canaan, Connecticut. Pacioretty has had his fair share of injuries in recent times, including two Achilles injuries while with the Carolina Hurricanes. While with the Canadiens from 2008 to 2018, he had 448 points in 626 games. While with Toronto, he only had 13 points in 37 games last year. While the Maple Leafs and Canadiens are possibilities, the Detroit Red Wings are reportedly in the mix.
Jason Robertson
If the Canadiens or Maple Leafs are looking for Jason Robertson for this season, it will come at a significant cost–possibly a first round pick, an active player, and elite prospect. Robertson is in the final year of his contract, and has not come to terms with the Stars on a long term deal. Robertson has averaged 90 points over the last three seasons, and his brother Nicholas is already with Toronto. If Jason also chooses Toronto, he could build chemistry with American Auston Matthews leading up to the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milan/Cortina d’Ampezzo.
Yegor Chinakhov
There are reports from the New York Times/Athletic that Blue Jackets forward Chinakhov of Omsk, Russia wants out of Columbus. The reason is because there is tension at the moment between him and Blue Jackets head coach Dean Evason. Last season in Columbus, Chinakhov had 15 points in 30 games. He missed the majority of the 2024-25 season with two separate injuries–one to his back, and the other being an upper body ailment.
Jack Roslovic
Like Chinakhov, Roslovic has experience in Columbus, although last year he had 39 points in 81 games with the Carolina Hurricanes. He could fit better with Montreal than Toronto, as the Canadiens’s priority would be a center, while the Maple Leafs priority would be a winger.
Victor Olofsson
The native of Ornskoldsvik, Sweden, played with Vegas this past season after six seasons in Buffalo. Olofsson had 29 points in 56 games. In a winning environment, he was able to turn his plus/minus around. He was a -63 over six seasons with the Sabres, but was a +17 with the Golden Knights in 2024-25.
