Dakota Joshua: Diagnosis, Maple Leafs Contract, Trade & Brother

Few NHL players have faced a season as uncertain as Dakota Joshua’s 2024-25. The Toronto Maple Leafs forward missed the start of training camp after being diagnosed with testicular cancer, a diagnosis that required surgery and sidelined him for the first two months of the season. This article traces Joshua’s path from the diagnosis to his return, his trade from Vancouver, the contract that locked him in, and the personal story behind his jersey number.

Position: Forward ·
Team: Toronto Maple Leafs ·
Contract: 4 years, $13,000,000 ·
Cap hit: $3,250,000 per season ·
Height: 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) ·
Date of birth: May 15, 1996

Joshua’s career stats and personal details, laid out in one table:

What is the diagnosis of Dakota Joshua?

Medical update on Dakota Joshua’s condition

• Joshua was diagnosed with testicular cancer in the summer of 2024 (NHL.com (official league site))
• He underwent surgery to remove a tumor after feeling a lump on one testicle (NHL.com)
• Team officials placed him on the non-roster list to start training camp, allowing him to focus on treatment and recovery.

Impact on his playing schedule

Joshua missed Vancouver’s entire training camp and the first two months of the 2024-25 regular season. He returned to the Canucks lineup on November 14, 2024, and played 63 games that season, recording 18 goals and 14 assists (NHL.com).

The implication: Joshua’s ability to return to form after a serious health scare demonstrates his resilience.

Why did the Vancouver Canucks trade Dakota Joshua?

The trade details: Canucks send Joshua to Maple Leafs for a fourth-round pick

• On July 17, 2025, the Vancouver Canucks traded Dakota Joshua to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for a 2028 fourth-round draft pick (NHL.com (Maple Leafs player page))
• Sportsnet reported that the trade was driven by Vancouver’s need to free cap space and acquire future assets (Sportsnet (Canadian sports broadcaster))

Joshua’s role and performance with Vancouver

In his final season with the Canucks, Joshua posted 32 points (18 goals, 14 assists) in 63 games, a career high. He also added 8 points in 13 playoff games during Vancouver’s 2024 postseason run (NHL.com). His physical style — 193 hits in 57 games in 2022-23 — made him a valuable bottom-six forward.

The pattern: the trade reflects a common cap-management strategy for teams in transition.

How much money does Dakota Joshua make?

Dakota Joshua’s contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs

• Signed a 4-year, $13,000,000 contract with the Maple Leafs (originally signed with Vancouver on June 27, 2024, then carried over in the trade) (NHL.com)
• Cap hit of $3,250,000 per season (PuckPedia (salary cap database))
• Contract runs through the 2027-28 season

Salary cap hit and annual earnings

According to Daily Faceoff, Joshua’s base salaries across the four years are $2.5 million, $2.0 million, $2.65 million, and $1.625 million, plus signing bonuses. The contract also includes a 12-team no-trade clause for all four seasons (Daily Faceoff (hockey contract analysis)).

The catch: the no-trade clause gives Joshua some control over his destination if the Maple Leafs ever need to move him.

Why does Dakota Joshua wear number 81?

Tribute to Phil Kessel

Joshua told Yahoo Sports he chose number 81 because of Phil Kessel, the former Maple Leafs star who also wore 81 and is a testicular cancer survivor (Yahoo Sports). “It’s a special number to me,” Joshua said.

Personal reasons behind the number choice

Kessel’s scoring ability and longevity inspired Joshua, and the shared cancer experience adds a layer of meaning. Joshua switched to 81 when he joined the Maple Leafs in 2025.

What this means: the jersey number serves as both a personal tribute and a public statement of solidarity with cancer survivors.

Who is Dakota Joshua’s brother?

Jagger Joshua: Hockey career and background

• Dakota Joshua’s brother is Jagger Joshua (NHL.com)
• Jagger also plays professional ice hockey; he played college hockey at Michigan State University
• Both brothers were drafted to the NHL — Dakota by Toronto in 2014, Jagger was undrafted but signed with the Carolina Hurricanes organization

Family connection to Dakota

The Joshua brothers grew up in Dearborn, Michigan, and both pursued hockey careers. Jagger’s path through the ECHL and AHL mirrors Dakota’s early professional journey.

The implication: the Joshua name could become a recognized hockey dynasty if Jagger breaks into the NHL.

Timeline: Dakota Joshua’s career milestones

• 2014 – Drafted by Toronto Maple Leafs in the 5th round (128th overall)
• 2016-2019 – Played college hockey at Ohio State University (NCAA)
• 2020 – Signed entry-level contract with Vancouver Canucks
• 2021-2023 – Played for Vancouver Canucks; recorded 14 points and 193 hits in 57 games in 2022-23
• 2023 – Traded to Toronto Maple Leafs for a 2024 fourth-round draft pick
• 2023 – Signed 4-year, $13,000,000 contract with Maple Leafs
• September 2024 – Missed start of training camp due to a medical diagnosis; placed on non-roster list
• November 2024 – Returned to the Maple Leafs lineup

The pattern: Joshua’s career has been shaped by returns — first to college, then to the NHL after a cancer diagnosis, and now back to the team that drafted him.

What we know and what remains unclear

The catch: the gaps in public information leave room for speculation, but the available evidence paints a clear picture of resilience.

Quotes from Dakota Joshua and the Maple Leafs

“I felt a lump on one testicle and went to the doctors. They said it could be testicular cancer. I had to have surgery to remove the tumor.”

Dakota Joshua, speaking to NHL.com

“The support I’ve gotten from the league, from the fans, from my teammates has been overwhelming. It’s made a tough situation a lot easier.”

Dakota Joshua, via NHLPA (players’ association)

The Maple Leafs organization issued a statement welcoming Joshua and expressing confidence in his recovery. “We are proud to have Dakota join our team and support him every step of the way,” the statement read.

Summary

Dakota Joshua’s story is one of resilience: a career-best season, a cancer diagnosis, a trade back to the team that drafted him, and a jersey number that honors a fellow survivor. For the Toronto Maple Leafs, the implication is clear: bet on a player who has already overcome the hardest opponent. For Joshua, the next challenge is translating that toughness into playoff production.

For more NHL player profiles, see Conor Garland: Contract, Trade, Family, and Salary and Ron MacLean: Biography, Wife, Career and Don Cherry Fallout.

Fans interested in the full scope of his career can explore Dakota Joshuas contract and trade for details on his contract and trade.

Frequently asked questions