Instant Analysis: Maple Leafs lock up Connor Dewar to team-friendly one-year deal

Connor Dewar, Maple leafsThe Maple Leafs announced the signing of forward Connor Dewar to a one-year, $1.18 million contract, avoiding an arbitration hearing between the two sides. Dewar will again be an RFA next summer after the contract expires.

The Leafs acquired Dewar at the 2024 trade deadline for a fourth-round pick in 2026. Unlike most of their recent trade deadline acquisitions, they will retain his services for at least the following season.

It marks a tidy piece of business for the Leafs as they can now evaluate Dewar for a full season with the club and will retain his rights should the fit work well with their new head coach. It’s also a relatively cheap cap hit for a forward who…