Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
It’s that time folks, the time for speculation and predictions are upon us and here at Hockey Patrol, I’m here to breakdown my personal five for the 2025-26 season.
We are two and a half months away from the start of the regular season, and the anticipation grows each and every day. There are still moves to be made, and deals to be signed, but it seems like we are getting a good handle on how things will be for teams in 2025-26.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are going to have all eyes on them, and we’re here to deliver five bold predictions for the team this upcoming season. Will any of these come to fruition? Only time will tell.
Ah what a breath of fresh air can do for the soul. Without Marner, it seems like Auston Matthews might be ready to take over once again.
He’s going to be injury free (hopefully) and expected to not only lead the team, but do so by example, and the best way to do that is to score, score, score. He only managed to light the lamp 33 times last season; a great number for a regular player but nothing normal for a guy like Matthews.
He’s going to have Matthew Knies to rely on now, and with his unique blend of scoring and physicality, it can open up a lot of new avenues; and maybe lead to more shots on net.If Toronto has Max Domi playing alongside him too, then the benefits extend beyond Matthews, and there’s no telling what can be created with just a bit of time.Plus, as blunt as it is to say: He doesn’t need to deal with Marner anymore. They were great together but clearly work better away from each other, and the constant distraction Marner brought to the team may have caused some friction.
So without those distractions, and a new lease on life (mentally and physically) expect Auston Matthews to shine once again.
Prediction: Auston Matthews scores 50+ goals
There’s going to be some growing pains when it comes to that first line however, and if Craig Berube is taking Matias Maccelli at his word: He’s ready to step in for Marner.
So if he decides to put Maccelli on the top line with Matthews and Knies, then it’s going to be an adjustment.
To be fair to Maccelli, and it’s certainly not trying to undersell any of his former line mates but as much as Matthews can elevate him, he can also bring intimidation.
Yes, he’s got the potential to hit 50+ assists, and there’s precedent for him with his 130 points in 224 career games (a 0.58 PPG player) which while on paper isn’t great, he’s only 24 and has tons of room to grow.
But with that growing will come the pains, and Maccelli needs to take a step back and realize he’s not Marner; he’s his own player. He’s clearly good enough to be valued by some of the best minds in the game, he just can’t get in his own head.
Prediction: Matias Maccelli doesn’t hit 50 points
Maple Leafs Finally Exorcise Playoff Demons
Look, I am not going to jump the gun here and say the team is going to win the Cup. I’m hopeful, not delusional.
But this iteration of the team is arguably the deepest they’ve been overall, and while they added small pieces last season, it’s all coming together now.
There’s a firm identity, and the pieces brought in excel at what that identity entails: Toughness, Grit, Passion.
Nic Roy is the exact 3C Toronto needed, and his underrated playmaking skills and engine will drive forth the offense in the bottom half, and the addition of Dakota Joshua gives them a diet Brady Tkachuk (that’s not an insult, either).
Plus, you’ve got Matthews, Knies, Tavares, Nylander, Rielly, and heck, even throw Maccelli in there too for arguments sake.
Barring any serious setbacks, that’s a lineup that can take whatever Florida or Tampa Bay throws at them and give it right back.
It’s this type of attitude that finally pushes Toronto over the hump and gets them to the Conference Finals; but we’re not planning the parade yet.
Prediction: Toronto advances to the Conference Finals; lose in 7 games
Toronto trades for top-six forward at the expense of their future
The chatter all summer long is that the Maple Leafs are trying to add more punch up front, and while there’s still time, they don’t have many assets to play with.
But come trade deadline, there are some names who could be in play depending on where their teams are sitting. Jared McCann, Bryan Rust, Anders Lee, and Jaden Schwartz are all in position to be dealt if their respective teams struggle, and they would all add that punch Toronto needs.But what assets to send? Well, unless the team is going after somebody elite, we’ll say Easton Cowan is off limits. Beyond that though? Fair game.So we’ll mortgage Toronto’s defensive future instead and part ways with prospect Ben Danford as the centrepiece of a package. Coupled with their 2026 2nd-rounder, and perhaps someone like a Nick Robertson they could sway a team to part with a veteran.
We know that Danford has the talent and is working hard to make it to the NHL, but with a logjam on the blueline, and a defensive corps signed long-term; it’s going to be a while.
Why not capitalize on his potential and hype? Rebuilding teams want prospects and Danford is one of the more solid (if unrefined) options.
Prediction: Toronto trades for Bryan Rust at the trade deadline for Ben Danford
Toronto hires a new Team President, looking to history for help
We’ll finish off with an executive prediction, and one that not only will change the landscape of the Maple Leafs, but give them one of the most beloved and accomplished players in franchise history leading the helm.
No offense to Brendan Shanahan, who was an incredible player and a savvy executive, but Sundin is a Toronto legend, and his name invokes memories of a time where fans were less critical and more receptive to the shortcomings of the team.
There is the fact that Sundin lives in his native Sweden, however that hasn’t stopped others like Nicklas Lidstrom from taking up executive positions; they just do so remotely.
Sundin is as vital to the lifeblood of the Maple Leafs as anyone in history, and is beloved by every fan from old to young. If anyone has the team’s best interests in mind, it’s him, and with Brad Treliving building the roster, and Craig Berube leading the charge; it could be a three-headed beast that leads the team to glory.
981 games. 420 goals. One more thing left: Bring the Stanley Cup back home to Toronto.
Prediction: Toronto hires Mats Sundin as Team President
So there you have it folks, five of my boldest predictions for the Maple Leafs this upcoming season.
Am I crazy? Am I spot on? We’ll find out soon enough.
Previously on HockeyPatrol