Reporter Throws Heavy Shade at Maple Leafs with Harsh Forecast for the Team

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TJ Tucker
August 16, 2025  (8:53 PM)

May 18, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube during the post game media conference following the game seven loss in the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Florida Panthers at Scotiabank Arena.

Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

While there may be valid questions about whether the Toronto Maple Leafs have taken a step forward for 2025-26, BleacherReport.com analyst Sara Civian’s take on the situation is perhaps too harsh.However, in explaining why the Leafs were ranked where they were, Civian said Toronto is not in the same spot it was last season without Mitch Marner or a suitable replacement on offense.”We’ll see how they’re doing at the trade deadline, and it should be a big year for Matthew Knies, but this year could be a step back before a step forward type scenario.”
Loss of Mitch Marner Blamed for Toronto Taking a ‘Step Back’ “They will be in that 100-point range again next year.

I just don’t see how they’re going to be better.”

In short, the Leafs shouldn’t struggle to make the playoffs, and have lost little when it comes to success in the postseason. Marner’s absence doesn’t make them a worse team, but it doesn’t make them better.

The post season offense question lingers, and unrest amongst the fan base is likely if it’s not addressed sometime between now and next season’s trade deadline.

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Reporter Throws Heavy Shade at Maple Leafs with Harsh Forecast for the Team

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