NHL Analyst Warns of Maple Leafs’ ‘Massive Failure’ This Offseason originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have endured vast changes this offseason, led by the exit of Mitch Marner.
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According to NHL analyst Matt Larkin, not only have the Leafs changed their DNA, but they have done so for the worse. So much so that Larkin warned that the franchise’s offseason could be “a massive failure” in a blunt assessment at Daily Faceoff on Thursday.
“Matias Maccelli and Nicolas Roy were savvy additions,” Larkin wrote, “but don’t come close to replacing Marner’s production.
“Now the Leafs’ top-end scoring will largely depend on Auston Matthews fighting off (a) chronic injury, while they’ll hope John Tavares can repeat a 38-goal season at 35 years old.”
Larkin argued that the Maple Leafs’ front office, led by general manager Brad Treliving, has failed to address the franchise’s biggest issue following Marner’s departure: elite scoring from the wing.
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Without Marner, Toronto will face an uphill battle in an increasingly competitive Atlantic Division. In Larkin’s eyes, the additions of Maccelli via free agency and Roy in Marner’s sign-and-trade with Vegas aren’t enough.
“If I’m placing a bet, I still have the Leafs making the playoffs next season – calm down – but they may slide back in a highly competitive Atlantic Division,” Larkin wrote.
Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews had 33 goals this past season, a sharp drop from his league-leading 69 goals in 2023-24.Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Larkin didn’t hold back on Toronto’s overall roster outlook either. He questioned the club’s defensive identity and added that its midtier metrics last season were masked by strong goaltending from Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll.
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“If they don’t add another top-six forward by any means necessary between now and October,” Larkin wrote, “GM Brad Treliving’s offseason is a massive failure.”
The Leafs still have $5.3 million in salary cap space. Treliving has made clear the franchise is still trying to add a top-six forward this offseason.
Related: Maple Leafs Trade Ryan Reaves Just Days After He Called Out Fans
Related: Ryan Reaves Calls Out ‘Ruthless’ Maple Leafs Fans After Mitch Marner’s Exit
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 12, 2025, where it first appeared.