Former Maple Leaf Lands PTO, Hoping to Compete for an NHL Contract

The Maple Leafs have watched a number of former players leave the organization this offseason, including Pontus Holmberg to the Tampa Bay Lightning and Alex Steeves to the Boston Bruins.

Now, another former member of the Leafs organization, Dylan Gambrell, has now signed a professional tryout agreement with the Nashville Predators.

Gambrell was with the Toronto Marlies during the 2023-24 season, where he scored 14 goals and 36 points in 66 games. He then moved on to the Columbus Blue Jackets organization and played with their AHL affiliate, the Cleveland Monsters.

The real question is: why do all of these fringe players, who seem close to the NHL or are in and out of the lineup, keep leaving the Maple Leafs? The likely answer is simple: the Leafs just don't have roster spots for these guys and are having a hard time fitting them in.

Gambrell isn't exactly a unique case. AHL players move constantly, and a professional tryout could be his chance to earn a contract with the Predators. Last year with Cleveland, Gambrell put up 25 points in 54 games, and he also played nearly two full seasons with the Senators from 2021-23. So, it's not out of the question for a team like Nashville, who could use some extra depth, to take a chance on him.

Even if Gambrell only plays 40 games or comes in as injury relief, the Predators will take whatever spark they can get right now.