The Toronto Maple Leafs continued their free-agent overhaul on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, by signing centre Teddy Blueger and right winger Brandon Duhaime to round out their third and fourth lines. General manager John Chayka, who earlier inked forwards Jack Roslovic and Colton Sissons, focused on adding depth and physicality to the bottom six forward group for coach Jim Hiller.
Blueger brings two-way reliability
Blueger, 31, signed a two-year contract worth $2.25 million US per season. The Latvian centre spent the past three seasons with the Vancouver Canucks, where he recorded a career-high nine goals in 2025-26. A second-round pick in the 2012 NHL Draft, Blueger is the fourth current Maple Leaf selected within a window of eight picks in that draft, joining Jake McCabe, Anthony Stolarz and Colton Sissons.
Blueger played high school hockey in the United States before attending Minnesota State University. He also spent time with the Pittsburgh Penguins earlier in his career, playing alongside Sidney Crosby. At six feet tall, Blueger adds a responsible two-way presence down the middle.
Duhaime provides physical edge
Duhaime, 28, from Coral Springs, Florida, joined the Maple Leafs after a stint with the Washington Capitals. A fourth-round pick of the Minnesota Wild in 2016, he played at Providence College before turning pro. Duhaime has scored nine goals in a season twice, most recently in 2024-25, and has recorded over 100 hits in each of the past several seasons.
Duhaime was traded from Minnesota to Colorado for a few games before landing in Washington. He may have participated in Alex Ovechkin's last NHL game if the Capitals star retires. His physical style is expected to bolster the Maple Leafs' fourth line.
Impact on Maple Leafs lineup
The additions of Blueger and Duhaime give the Maple Leafs a revamped bottom six, with Roslovic and Sissons also joining the team earlier on July 1. The moves aim to provide scoring punch and defensive stability behind the team's top stars. Blueger and Duhaime both topped out at nine goals in their best seasons, but their checking and forechecking abilities are expected to fit Hiller's system.
The signing of Blueger was first reported by multiple outlets, while Duhaime's terms were not immediately disclosed. The Maple Leafs also made headlines earlier in the day by signing free-agent goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, a two-time Stanley Cup winner.
