Heading into this week, the Maple Leafs faced a crucial deadline to get prospect Brandon Lisowsky signed, but now it appears as though the two sides are parting ways.
Lisowsky, a 7th round pick by the Maple Leafs in 2022, just completed his final year of junior eligibility, posting a career high 42 goals and 80 points in 68 games with the Saskatoon Blades to go out with a bang.
Fellow Leafs prospect Fraser Minten recently praised Lisowsky's skill set, following the conclusion of their 2023-24 season in Saskatoon. It looks like the two will not be battling with one another for a roster spot come training camp.
The Leafs need to have Lisowsky signed by June 1st to avoid seeing his rights expire, but as The Athletic's Joshua Kloke reported on Thursday, it doesn't look like there is any real mutual interest in getting a deal done before Saturday's signing deadline.
This does not eliminate the possibility of the Leafs still coming to terms on a contract with Lisowsky at some point over the summer, but the writing certainly does seem to be on the wall for the 22-year-old.
Lisowsky is fairly small in stature, standing just 5'9 and 179 pounds, and with smaller prospects in Roni Hirvonen, Braeden Kressler and Ryan Tverberg, among others, already on the smaller end, perhaps Brad Treliving simply did not wish to bring another smaller-bodied player into the fray.
