Matthew Hlacar is out of Toronto's system as Jim Hiller's Maple Leafs continue moving away from the previous draft philosophy.
Toronto allowed the rights to its 2025 seventh-round pick to expire after Hlacar struggled to earn a steady role with the Kitchener Rangers.
The 19-year-old quickly found another opening, signing a training-camp agreement with the Saint John Sea Dogs of the QMJHL.
Nothing is guaranteed in Saint John. Hlacar must earn a roster spot and show he can provide more than the physical edge that first attracted Toronto.
He recorded 12 points in 51 regular-season games with Kitchener, then added 1 point across 13 playoff appearances.
Hlacar also collected 91 penalty minutes and served a 6-game suspension early in 2025-26 following an illegal hit on Jakub Winkelhofer.
-
Maple Leafs spark debate with surprising prospect decision
The Maple Leafs selected Hlacar to add size, toughness and an old-school element to their development pipeline. That profile no longer appears to fit the organization's preferred direction.
Toronto's decision isn't a major roster move, but it shows how quickly a prospect can lose his place after being drafted.
Seventh-round selections rarely receive long runways. Hlacar needed to secure meaningful junior minutes, expand his game and prove his physical style could translate without repeated discipline issues.
Instead, his limited offensive output and uncertain role made retaining his rights difficult to justify. The Maple Leafs chose flexibility over another year of waiting.
Saint John now offers a reset. The Sea Dogs finished last season at 23-36-5, giving Hlacar a possible route toward more responsibility if he survives camp.
He'll join an organization carrying several NHL prospects, including Arseni Radkov, Everett Baldwin and Olivers Murnieks. That competition will test whether Hlacar can become a dependable everyday forward.
For Hiller's Maple Leafs, the move clears one more connection to a draft built heavily around size and defensive traits. Toronto can now direct its development attention elsewhere.
For Hlacar, the next step is simple but demanding. He must turn a camp invitation into a roster spot, stay available and prove his game carries value beyond physical pressure.
Source : Maple Leafs cut ties with 2025 draft pick after just one year
Did the Maple Leafs give up on Matthew Hlacar too quickly?
Also read on Markerzone.com:
Arber Xhekaj trade interest skyrockets as Canadiens set sky-high asking price
