With training camp wrapping up after this weekend, the Toronto Maple Leafs will need to decide which players will be included in the Opening Night roster.

For many players on the bubble, this is their last chance to boost their chances of securing a spot in the regular lineup.

Some players will be fortunate enough to secure a valuable role for the 2024-25 NHL season, while others will need to put in more effort to reclaim a spot on the Leafs’ roster.

Here, we examine four Maple Leafs players who are likely to miss out on making the team for the upcoming regular season.

Matt Murray
Veteran goalie Matt Murray rejoined the Leafs this offseason on a one-year contract worth $875,000 to bolster the organization’s goaltending depth. When performing at his best, Murray can be an effective tandem goalie, even at 30 years old. However, his primary challenge has been maintaining his health throughout his career. Last season was no exception, as he spent the entire 2023-24 season recovering from bilateral hip surgery.

When healthy, Murray has had a respectable career with the Maple Leafs, boasting a 14-8-2 record, a 3.01 GAA, and a .903 save percentage over 26 games. In the preseason, he has shown solid performance, allowing 3 goals on 18 shots in two appearances. However, unless there is an injury to either Joseph Woll or Anthony Stolarz, Murray is likely to be this year’s equivalent of Martin Jones.

Given that the Leafs are unlikely to maintain a three-goalie rotation, he is expected to miss the Opening Night roster. Instead, he should clear waivers and stay in shape with the Toronto Marlies while waiting for his opportunity throughout the season.

Connor Dewar
Acquired at last season’s trade deadline from the Minnesota Wild in exchange for a 2026 fourth-round pick and forward Dmitry Ovchinnikov, Connor Dewar played a crucial role on the Leafs’ fourth line during the stretch run. He also became an important member of the penalty-killing unit. While Dewar’s defensive skills are his strength, he contributed one goal and five points in 17 games with the Leafs after the trade. Notably, he has a surprising scoring ability, having reached double digits in goals with the Wild before joining Toronto.

However, Dewar has been sidelined this training camp following offseason shoulder surgery. He has recently participated in practices wearing a regular jersey, but he will need additional time to get back to full speed. As a result, it’s likely he won’t be on the Leafs’ roster to start the season as he continues to work his way back into game shape.

Jani Hakanpaa
One of the more unconventional signings this offseason was Jani Hakanpaa, who has a significant knee injury that led many to believe he might never play again. Known for his defensive skills, Hakanpaa brings impressive size and strength to the Maple Leafs’ defense. However, he may be outplayed by higher-upside players under head coach Craig Berube.

While he excels in defensive capabilities, Hakanpaa’s tendency to get pinned in his own zone can often hinder his team’s performance. He has recorded just 15 goals and 45 points over 288 NHL games, focusing more on preventing opponents from scoring while on the ice.

Hakanpaa has recently resumed skating and practicing with the Leafs after recovering from a knee injury that required arthroscopic surgery over the summer. However, he is further behind in his recovery compared to Dewar. Consequently, he is likely to start the season on Long-Term Injured Reserve (LTIR) while he works on regaining his game shape. If all goes well, Hakanpaa might not be in the lineup until November at the earliest.

Ryan Reaves
One of the biggest misconceptions in hockey is the need for an enforcer to protect star players. While most teams have moved away from this idea, the Leafs continue to allocate a roster spot to what many consider one of the least effective players in the NHL.

As the Leafs strengthen their bottom lineup, it may hinder Ryan Reaves’ chances of making the regular roster for the 2024-25 season. Reaves has never been known for his speed, and at 37 years old, it’s unlikely he will improve in that area.

Last season, he recorded 4 goals and 6 points in 49 games with the Maple Leafs. However, he proved to be a liability in 5-on-5 situations, allowing 12 more goals than the team scored during his time on the ice, with a CF% of 48%, which consistently favored the opposition. Additionally, since he does not effectively kill penalties, his role is largely limited to handling physical play when necessary.