Dakota Joshua: Cancer Diagnosis, Trade to Maple Leafs

Team: Toronto Maple Leafs ·
Position: Forward ·
Age: 28 (born May 15, 1996) ·
NHL Draft: 2014, Round 5, Pick 128 ·
Contract: 4 years, $13 million (cap hit $3.25M)

Ten key facts, one pattern: Joshua’s career has been defined by resilience—from a fifth-round draft pick to a cancer survivor and now a trade back to the team that believed in him first.

What is the diagnosis of Dakota Joshua?

What type of cancer was Dakota Joshua diagnosed with?

• Dakota Joshua was diagnosed with testicular cancer. The diagnosis was made public in the summer of 2024 (NHL.com catching up).

When did Dakota Joshua announce his cancer diagnosis?

• He announced the diagnosis on social media and underwent surgery in September 2024 (NHL.com feature).

How did the diagnosis affect his NHL career?

• Joshua missed training camp and the first month of the 2024-25 season while undergoing treatment (Sportsnet). He returned to play after surgery and later became a Maple Leaf through the trade (NHL.com).

The implication: Joshua’s diagnosis and recovery frame his entire 2024-25 season—he was a cancer survivor before he was a trade chip.

Why did the Canucks trade Dakota Joshua?

What did the Canucks get in return for Dakota Joshua?

• The Canucks received a fourth-round pick in the 2028 NHL Draft (NHL.com trade report).

What factors led to the trade decision?

• The move opened cap space and roster flexibility for Vancouver. Joshua had just signed a four-year extension, but the team’s depth allowed the deal (Sportsnet analysis).

Was the trade related to Joshua’s contract?

• Yes, the contract extension was the backdrop. The $3.25M cap hit was a factor in Vancouver’s decision to trade him while maximizing return (Sportsnet).

What this means: The trade was a cap management play, not a reflection on Joshua’s health or performance. Vancouver needed room, and Toronto needed a physical forward.

Where did Dakota Joshua go?

When did the trade to the Maple Leafs take place?

• The trade occurred on July 17, 2025, during the NHL offseason (NHL.com).

What is Joshua’s role with his new team?

• He is expected to fill a bottom-six forward role for the Maple Leafs, bringing physicality and forechecking (Toronto Maple Leafs official site).

How did Joshua react to returning to the team that drafted him?

• Joshua expressed excitement about the fresh start with the organization that originally selected him in 2014 (Sportsnet).

“I’m really excited to get back to the organization that drafted me and start fresh with a new group.”

— Dakota Joshua, via Sportsnet

The pattern: Returning to Toronto completes a full circle for a player who was drafted 128th overall and now returns as a veteran with playoff experience.

How much money does Dakota Joshua make?

What is the structure of Joshua’s contract?

• He signed a four-year, $13 million contract with the Canucks on June 27, 2024 (NHL.com trade report).

What is his cap hit for the Maple Leafs?

• The cap hit is $3.25 million per season through 2027-28 (Sportsnet).

How does his salary compare to other bottom-six forwards?

• Joshua’s $3.25M cap hit is above average for a bottom-six forward, but he posted career highs of 18 goals, 14 assists, and 32 points in the 2023-24 season (Sportsnet).

The trade-off: Joshua’s cap hit is manageable for Toronto, but it carries risk if his recovery from cancer affects his performance long-term.

Is Dakota Joshua a good skater?

What do scouts say about Joshua’s skating?

• Joshua is considered an above-average skater with good speed and agility, which helps him in the forecheck and backcheck (Sportsnet scouting notes).

How does his skating contribute to his playing style?

• His skating allows him to be effective on the penalty kill and to generate offensive pressure through speed (Sportsnet).

What are his other strengths on the ice?

• He is known for his physicality and willingness to battle along the boards. In the 2024-25 season, he ranked second on the Canucks with 193 hits despite playing only 57 games (NHL.com trade report).

“He’s a big, strong, hard-to-play-against forward who can skate and has some offensive touch.”

— Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving, via Toronto Maple Leafs official site

The catch: Joshua’s skating is a key asset, but his offensive production dipped in 2024-25 (14 points in 57 games) compared to his career season the year before (NHL.com).

What are the injuries to Dakota Joshua?

Besides testicular cancer, has Joshua had other significant injuries?

• No other major injuries have been reported in his NHL career. His most significant health issue is the testicular cancer diagnosis (NHL.com).

What was his recovery timeline after surgery?

• He underwent surgery in September 2024 and returned to play during the 2024-25 season, missing only the first month (Sportsnet).

Is he expected to be fully healthy for training camp?

• Yes, Joshua is expected to be fully recovered and ready for the 2025-26 training camp (NHL.com).

“I’m grateful for the support I received from the Canucks organization, my teammates, and the fans. I’m looking forward to this next chapter.”

— Dakota Joshua, via NHL.com catching up

What to watch: Joshua’s health will be the biggest story of his Maple Leafs tenure. If he can build on his 2023-24 career highs, Toronto gains a valuable middle-six piece.

Summary: Dakota Joshua’s journey from a cancer diagnosis to a trade back to his original draft team shows his resilience. For the Maple Leafs, the decision is clear: give him a chance to prove he can be the physical, two-way forward who scored 32 points in 2023-24, and if he does, the $3.25M cap hit will look like a steal. For Joshua, the choice is to show that his best hockey is still ahead of him.

Related reading: Canucks trade Dakota Joshua to Maple Leafs · Dakota Joshua grateful, thankful after cancer fight

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