Toronto’s perfect UFA that got away from the Leafs is revealed!

Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving has been a busy man this summer, adding some significant pieces to his roster in re-signing Max Domi to a new deal, and landing Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Chris Tanev thanks to free agency.

However on Wednesday, it has been revealed that the Maple Leafs had been after another top talent for the blue line as insider Chris Johnston explained how Toronto was after Matt Roy.

Roy ended up signing a six-year, $34.5 million contract with the Washington Capitals, but there’s no doubt in fans and Johnston’s minds that he would have fit perfectly in Toronto:

“I think Matt Roy was a little bit of the one that got away. They were interested in Brady Skjei but that was pretty clear early on that, that wasn’t going to be it. They called on Pesce, but I didn’t get a sense that was ever (close). Roy was a big target.”

“If you look at what he does, if you would have added Tanev and Roy, that is significant for your top four. That is literally two guys that play the right side that really can eat minutes and not a lot happens (offensively for the other team) when they are on the ice. You are talking about a different blue line. The Leafs, defensively, it has been a problem.”

With the Los Angeles Kings last season, Roy scored 25 points in 81 games and added two points in five playoff games. He has spent all six years of his NHL career in L.A. after being drafted by the team in the seventh round, 194th overall, in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.

He could have been what the Maple Leafs needed as a solid right-side defenseman, however now, they will have to face him when they meet against the Capitals in 2024-25.