Maple Leafs sign IIHF star to 3-year contract

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The Toronto Maple Leafs are looking at an active offseason ahead, including the No. 1 overall pick and a new head coach still to hire, along with many trade rumors.

On Monday, they made a simpler move, one that could have a positive impact on their future.

The Maple Leafs announced Monday that they've signed Tinus Luc Koblar to a three-year, entry-level contract.

Koblar is a forward prospect from Norway.

The Maple Leafs took him with the No. 64 overall pick (second round) in the 2025 NHL Draft -- he was actually their first pick of that draft after not having a selection in the first round.

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Koblar has made that pick look good since being chosen.

He first shone at the IIHF U20 World Junior Championships, with 10 goals in five games (five goals, five assists).

He then played at the senior level IIHF World Championships in May and had 9 points in 10 games (six goals, three assists). That included helping Norway beat Canada in the bronze medal game.

Koblar has been playing his hockey in Sweden for Leksands IF, and he had 14 points (eight goals, six assists) in 47 games in 2025-26.

He actually already signed a new contract in Sweden, with Rogle BK, for next season. That suggests he's still a year away from coming to North America.

Koblar is a 6-foot-3 center who seems to keep getting better, and the Leafs have ensured with this entry-level contract that when he's ready to come across the Atlantic, they'll be ready and waiting for him.