The 2025/26 NHL season is a month old. Teams are off to hot starts while others are off to slow starts, and even some are trying to find their identity. For the Toronto Maple Leafs, starting off slow in October has been a common occurrence for the club. They normally follow up with a red-hot November, but for right now in Leafs land, it seems like the sky is falling since they have started the season 6-5-1.
Coming into this season, it would be a new look for the Maple Leafs following the departure of their star player Mitch Marner to the Vegas Golden Knights. Toronto general manager Brad Treliving beefed up the Leafs’ lineup by adding Nic Roy and Dakota Joshua, while adding skill forward Matias Maccelli.
The question that needed to be answered was who was going to play along Matthew Knies and Auston Matthews. With Marner and his 100-point playmaking ability gone, that was going to be a cause for concern. So far to start the season, it has been a struggle for the top line as head coach Craig Berube has seemingly tried everything, using Max Domi, Nick Robertson, Matias Maccelli, Easton Cowan (who I thought looked good with Matthews), and even Calle Jarnkrok for a few shifts — but it seems like nothing has worked.
Treliving has full backing from President Keith Pelley to make a splash.
It was reported by TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun that MLSE CEO Keith Pelley has given Brad Treliving his full backing on taking a swing before the trade deadline on March 6th.
"Mitch Marner’s departure gives the Leafs more cap space and with the cap rising, “It’s go time.” He made it clear Treliving has full backing to take a swing before the March 6th trade deadline, even with no first-round picks for the next two years. Pelley added there’s urgency given the age of the roster, saying this group is deep in its window and the goal now is to finally push over the hump this season.
With that being said, it’s “not as obvious as it sounds to just go out and upgrade before March 6.”
To me, this should have been the number one priority after Marner left. Yes, Brad Treliving did say he was looking for a top-six forward, but with the Leafs’ cupboard barely having anything, they will have to look at other options. I think they need to take a page out of the Golden Knights’ playbook, and if giving up early-round picks to get a player you need, then do it.
Toronto’s Stanley Cup window is open for at least four more years. If they have to go all in every year to be a contender, then so be it.
I have another article out on why I think Toronto should target Steven Stamkos from the Nashville Predators. A couple of other names I have in mind: Troy Terry of the Anaheim Ducks, Alex Tuch of the Buffalo Sabres, and Yegor Chinakov of the Columbus Blue Jackets.
For right now, Brad Treliving and his team will need to figure out what to do before the season takes a turn on the Maple Leafs.
Be sure to stay tuned to Leafs Digest for more information about the Toronto Maple Leafs.
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