What the Toronto Maple Leafs might look like next season

 

It was another disappointing post season for Toronto maple leaf fans as leafs fall to Florida Panthers in game seven. The Auston Mathews era began nine years ago and since than the team has had very little playoff success, only making the second round twice. ex-president Brendan Shanahan and Kyle Dubas put together the core of Auston Mathews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander and John Taveres, we can also add the longest serving leaf Morgan Rielly to this group. Its very unlikly that everybody from returns back next year considering that both Mitch and John Tavares are UFAs.

So just for fun and pure speculation lets look at what the leafs might look like next year if those two core players decide to sign elsewhere. It might not look as bad as it seems.

🚨Mathews and Nylander:

Captain and franchise sniper Auston Mathews is signed to a four year with a $13,250,00 cap hit. William Nyalnder is also locked up to a 8-year 11,500,00 a season. During regular season both these players have zero problem with generating offence, with Nylander having the ability to sneak past defenders in the neutral zone and receive stretch passes that lead to break aways and or cross crease passes. Mathews plays a more defensive game, with a very active stick and the ability to score anyway, although he favors the slot. Both these players have consistent 30-40 goal seasons.

Mathew Knies:

He could arguably be lumped into the core with how good his play has been and considering he has been playing on the top line. An RFA that should be priority number one, Even though he should be the main focus he should not be handed millions, leafs need to do something that they haven't done in the Mathews era and that is play hardball. 

They need to show that they have all the power in negations. Do not pay Mathew Knies a shade over six mil. 
Knies is a great young power-forward that the leafs have been desperately lacking, he dumps the puck in the right areas and continues with nonstop pressure on the forecheck. 
If I was the GM I am building around Knies making this team bigger while also not loosing that skillful play. Knies is the perfect balance of being able to hit while also being skilled enough to get those clutch goals.

Defense:

Morgan Rielly is a good puck-moving defenseman but he is not a number one, He is good at the stretch pass and can find the breakout man easily, but he does not have the defensive ability to break up the cycle which is a huge problem for the maple leafs. They get trapped in their own zone and can not stop the cycle until its too late and in the back of their net. We have him for the next 5 years, which is great, he can run the either power play one or two and play that offensive style game.

Christopher Tanev is known for his calm, disciplined, and reliable defensive style. As a stay-at-home defenseman, he excels in shot blocking, smart positioning, and breaking up plays without taking unnecessary risks. Tanev rarely panics under pressure and is often trusted in high-stakes situations, particularly on the penalty kill and in protecting leads late in games. His game isn't flashy, but his consistency, hockey IQ, and willingness to sacrifice his body make him a valuable asset on the Toronto Maple Leafs blue line.

Mitch Marner & John Tavares OUT

Marner is undoubtly one of the best playmakers in the game, sometimes that can hinder him though, I can't count how many no look passes led to a turnover or sometimes a goal against. He is great on the penatly kill and powerplay and any team would love to have him as a cornerstone player. 

He opted not to negotiate with the Maple Leafs during the season, yet another sign he wants to test the market in July. He also refused to waive his no-movement clause when approached by general manager Brad Treliving in March as part of potential trade talks with the Carolina Hurricanes involving forward Mikko Rantanen, who ended up going to the Dallas Stars.

If Marner chooses to test free agency, as the signs seem to be pointing toward, he definitely will be the top prize for bidders around the NHL and likely will command a salary of $13-15 million per season. Since entering the League in 2016-17, he ranks fifth in assists (520) and eighth in points (741).

Like Marner, Tavares dreamed of being a Maple Leaf while growing up in the Toronto region. On July 1, 2018, he publicly revealed his intention to leave the New York Islanders in favor of a seven-year, $77 million contract ($11 million average yearly value) by sharing a picture of himself sleeping under Maple Leafs covers from his early years on social media.

Tavares has 493 points (222 goals, 271 assists) in 515 games throughout his tenure with Toronto, which is slightly less than a point per game. Even while the 34-year-old is still productive, this postseason revealed that he might not be the player he once was.

Depth Scoring:

With having so much money tied up to five players it has been a real challenge to find good bottom and middle six forwards. The leafs have to result to players past their prime like Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau, Ryan O'rielly and most recently Max Patrioretty. If its not older players taking league minimum, Its underwhelming players like Homberg, McMann, Laughton and Kämpf. When the big four are not scoring or are getting shut down by opposing teams its incredibly difficult when your not getting depth scoring. The leafs let go very good high energy players in Hyman, Bunting and Bertuzzi walk because of cap limitations.

➤ Nick Robertson

has shown glimpses of the skill to be a top 6 player but has been put in and taken out of the line up so much that it has stalled any type of growth.
and finally we land on Domi, while he has been clutch in the playoffs sometimes he take very undisciplined penalties and when he is not moving his feet he is a lability.

Free Agency:

As the offseason heats up, the Toronto Maple Leafs are under pressure to reshape their roster into a team that can finally break through the playoff ceiling. While much of the attention is on potential trades, free agency presents a massive opportunity to address longstanding gaps — especially on defense and in the bottom six.

With nearly $20 million in projected cap space and only 15 players currently under contract, GM Brad Treliving has both the flexibility and urgency to make bold moves. Here's a breakdown of the most strategic free-agent targets Toronto should pursue this summer.

🛡️ Brent Burns: The Offensive Weapon on the Blue Line

While many have speculated that the Leafs will chase younger names on defense, one veteran stands out as a potential game-changer: Brent Burns.

At 39 years old, Burns is still producing at a high level, logging heavy minutes and quarterbacking the power play in Carolina. He’s known for one of the hardest slap shots in the league and a unique ability to generate offense from the blue line. His physical presence, right-handed shot, and playoff experience would provide an edge Toronto has been missing on the back end.

Burns could be available via trade if Carolina retains salary or if a buyout occurs. Either way, he’s the kind of short-term, high-reward piece that can change a postseason series — especially when paired with a more defensive-minded partner like McCabe or Liljegren.

🧢 Brad Marchand: The Agitator with Skill

If Toronto is truly serious about changing its identity and adding grit, there’s no better name to circle than Brad Marchand.

Yes, he’s long been a hated rival. But Marchand’s combination of elite hockey IQ, penalty killing, clutch scoring, and relentless tenacity is exactly what the Leafs need. He’s the type of player who frustrates opponents, scores backbreaking goals, and raises his level when the stakes are highest. That’s something this core has desperately lacked.

Marchand would bring leadership, edge, and experience — plus a championship pedigree. If Boston ever considers a retool and Marchand becomes available, Toronto should make the call.

🧱 Depth with Bite: Janmark & Hathaway

Championship teams are built on more than just stars — they win because of their bottom six. That’s where Mattias Janmark and Garnet Hathaway come in.

➤ Mattias Janmark

A playoff-tested forward with defensive instincts, Janmark is a coach’s dream in the bottom six. He can kill penalties, play smart positional hockey, and chip in with timely offense. On a Leafs team that often falters when the stars go quiet, Janmark’s reliable two-way game would be a major upgrade.

➤ Garnet Hathaway

One of the toughest players in the league to play against, Hathaway hits everything in sight and brings old-school intensity to every shift. He drives opponents nuts, finishes checks, and isn't afraid to drop the gloves. But more importantly, he knows how to play within a system and can be trusted in tight games.

Upcoming:

Easton Cowan, the Toronto Maple Leafs' 28th overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, is rapidly emerging as a promising candidate to fill the void that could be left by Mitch Marner. While Cowan's playing style differs from Marner's, his relentless work ethic, defensive acumen, and offensive potential position him as a valuable asset for the Leafs' future.

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📈 Rapid Development and Junior Success

Cowan's 2023–24 season with the London Knights showcased his significant growth. He amassed 96 points (34 goals, 62 assists) in 54 games, including a remarkable 36-game point streak—the longest in the OHL since 1995. His playoff performance was equally impressive, leading the league with 34 points in 18 games and earning the Wayne Gretzky 99 Award as playoff MVP. Cowan's contributions were instrumental in the Knights' championship run and their appearance in the 2024 Memorial Cup Final .mapleleafshotstove.comthehockeywriters.com+1en.wikipedia.org+1en.wikipedia.org

🔄 Projected Role and Development Path

Given his skill set and maturity, Cowan is projected to start on the Leafs' third line, potentially alongside players like Max Domi and Calle Järnkrok. This placement would allow him to acclimate to the NHL's pace while contributing defensively and offensively. With continued development, Cowan could ascend the lineup, offering a blend of grit and skill reminiscent of Marner's impact .thehockeywriters.com

While Easton Cowan may not replicate Mitch Marner's exact playing style, his comprehensive game, relentless drive, and rapid progression make him a compelling internal option for the Maple Leafs. Starting on the third line, Cowan has the potential to evolve into a top-six forward, providing the team with a cost-effective and homegrown solution to maintain competitive depth in the roster.

If Easton Cowan cracks the opening night roster, the Maple Leafs could ice a much deeper, more balanced, and playoff-ready lineup than in recent years. Blending youth, grit, and veteran presence, here’s how the lines could realistically look: