Toronto Maple Leafs Sign Forward Borya Valis to Three-Year Entry-Level Contract

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The Toronto Maple Leafs have made a significant move by signing forward Borya Valis to a three-year, entry-level contract, as announced by the team. The deal is set to begin in the 2025-26 season, and it includes a cap charge of $872,500 and a $975,000 average annual value (AAV), with signing and games-played bonuses. Valis, a 20-year-old right-winger, has been playing for the Western Hockey League's Prince George Cougars, where he has accumulated 73 points (29 goals, 44 assists) in 57 games this season.

Valis has a notable career in the WHL, with 216 points (86 goals, 130 assists) in 236 regular-season games, split between the Prince George Cougars and the Regina Pats. He has also had 13 points (9 goals, 4 assists) in 15 post-season games, helping the Cougars reach the third round of the 2024 WHL playoffs. The six-foot-two, 200-pound forward is expected to join the Toronto Marlies, the Maple Leafs' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, once his season with the Cougars is over, and he will be eligible to play for them on an amateur tryout (ATO) agreement if the Cougars are eliminated from the playoffs while the Marlies are still playing.

The signing of Valis is a strategic move by the Maple Leafs, as he will not count against the team's 50-contract limit until the summer. Valis's contract includes a performance bonus of just over $100,000, and his cap hit will be $872,500. The Maple Leafs are likely to benefit from Valis's skills as a middle-six forechecker, and his ability to produce points at a high level. Valis's career in the WHL has been impressive, with a points-per-game average of 0.92, and he is expected to be a valuable addition to the Marlies and potentially the Maple Leafs in the future.

Here are the key details of Borya Valis's contract and career statistics:

• Contract: Three-year entry-level contract, set to begin in 2025-26
• Cap charge: $872,500
• AAV: $975,000
• Signing and games-played bonuses: Included in the contract
• Career statistics:
  • WHL regular-season games: 236
  • WHL regular-season points: 216 (86 goals, 130 assists)
  • WHL post-season games: 15
  • WHL post-season points: 13 (9 goals, 4 assists)

The Toronto Maple Leafs' signing of Borya Valis is a significant move, and it demonstrates the team's commitment to developing young players and building a strong roster for the future. With Valis's impressive career statistics and his potential as a middle-six forechecker, he is likely to be a valuable addition to the Marlies and potentially the Maple Leafs. The team's fans will be eager to see how Valis performs in the upcoming season and how he contributes to the team's success.