2025-26 Toronto Maple Leafs General Discussion

[CarltonTheBear]

The Leafs have the room and the opportunity slots to burn 1st year ELCs the way they did with Knies (drafted) and Webber (NCAA UFA) to lure someone in.

2026 NCAA Free Agent Watch

Toronto has a recent history of signing a bunch of free agents out of college the past couple of years, will they make it a third?

www.pensionplanpuppets.com

TJ Hughes seems like the one to earmark.

Trying to add a goalie probably wouldn't be a bad idea. Hildeby almost certainly isn't back with the Marlies next season. Based purely on his stat line I'm not sure Peksa has really done enough to warrant another contract. So could use some depth back there.

 

[ZBBM]

32 Thoughts: Player safety a hot topic at GMs meetings

In this edition of 32 Thoughts, Elliotte Friedman covers why player safety was a hot topic at the GMs meetings, who checked in on Matthew Knies, superstar injury updates and much more.

www.sportsnet.ca

The question is, with which team:

Maple Leafs face biggest question under pall of injury: Will Auston Matthews stay?

Amid controversy, an unsavory discussion point has gone largely unspoken: the possibility we've seen Auston Matthews' last act in Toronto.

www.nytimes.com

Get used to these pot-stirring articles. If you liked how Marner was run out of town, you'll go bonkers over the sequel.

 

[cw]

The question is, with which team:

Maple Leafs face biggest question under pall of injury: Will Auston Matthews stay?

Amid controversy, an unsavory discussion point has gone largely unspoken: the possibility we've seen Auston Matthews' last act in Toronto.

www.nytimes.com

Get used to these pot-stirring articles. If you liked how Marner was run out of town, you'll go bonkers over the sequel.

I think the situation has changed. If they kept Marner, they're probably looking at the playoffs with some sort of a shot.
If they keep Matthews, they'll be hard pressed to make it back to the playoffs. Even if they do, what are they going to win?

Unlike Marner, Matthews is American. Taxes and that soil has to warrant consideration - along with a better chance to win a Cup.

There is little chance of them putting together a true contender here in his last two seasons. They're missing two top 6 wingers while counting on 35-36 yr old Tavares to be their 2nd line center. Their D is old and in decline. Goalies are not reliable in terms of health though Hildeby is likely to replace one of them because he's no longer waivers exempt.

If Matthews wants to win a Cup as a key contributor, it is has to be soon. His body is breaking down. He's 29 in September recovering from probable knee surgery after a couple of subpar seasons due to other injuries. He already appeared to be in decline before the knee injury.

Assuming he can return in decent condition, after 20 games or so to prove that he is sound (to maximize his trade value), they could start working on a destination for him to maximize the return beyond a 4th line center. They'd be offering close to two seasons. They don't want to lose him for nothing.