For those thinking the Maple Leafs roster was a lock less than two weeks ago, with forward lines and goaltenders set, there are never certainties until all exhibition games are done, the waivers are scoured and the 23-man roster registered.

After some unexpected developments — Joseph Woll going home on personal leave, Scott Laughton’s serious foot injury – coupled with a few curveballs on the wire, it was a manic Monday before the final names were released.

It’s still subject to change, but here’s a breakdown of the 2025-26 Leafs, opening Wednesday at Scotiabank Arena against the Montreal Canadiens:

GOALIES (2)

Anthony Stolarz, Cayden Primeau.

TAKEAWAYS: Folks would be forgiven thinking Primeau belongs on the Canadiens’ roster where all 55 of his NHL starts have come. But the Leafs’ new candidate to back-up Stolarz was plucked from Monday’s unprotected list from the Carolina Hurricanes.

Where’s Dennis Hildeby? Well, his team-best .920 save percentage in exhibitions isn’t forgotten, putting him in good stead after Woll’s sudden departure and apparently undetermined hiatus. But at the moment, he can be stashed with the Marlies without worry of waivers. It might be Hildeby is restored by Wednesday or soon after, once some pieces are moved around by general manager Brad Treliving, who’ll likely address the media in the next couple of days.

Meanwhile, Stolarz can celebrate his new team-friendly contract, when he gets the bells and whistles intro on Wednesday.

Defence (7)

Simon Benoit, Brandon Carlo, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Jake McCabe Philippe Myers, Morgan Rielly, Chris Tanev.

TAKEAWAYS: The song remains the same, McCabe and Tanev as the shutdown pair, Carlo with Rielly to support the latter’s offensive exploits (Rielly needs to bring that to the power play), capped by Benoit with OEL. That last duo is an experiment for now with Benoit playing his unfamiliar right side, which Berube says he might reverse.

Blue line depth is still a concern though Myers and Dakota Mermis (the latter cleared waivers) bring some size and snarl to the position if elevated. Henry Thrun, who partnered Myers at Leaf practice Monday, also cleared.

Forwards (14)

Sammy Blais, Max Domi, Calle Järnkrok, Dakota Joshua, Matthew Knies, Steven Lorentz, Matias Maccelli, Auston Matthews, Bobby McMann, William Nylander, Jacob Quillan, Nick Robertson, Nicolas Roy, John Tavares.

TAKEAWAYS:

Scribes could tell Craig Berube had a hard time making the Easton Cowan cut, but the coach did end the end day getting one of his 2019 St. Louis Blues’ Stanley Cup winners.

In Laughton’s absence, left winger Blais offers more fourth-line experience than the rookie Cowan and for now, it elevates Robertson to the third line with new centre Domi and Joshua.

It’s all fallout from the Laughton injury, after the hard shooting Robertson won a neck-and-neck race with Cowan to make the team.

One surprise inclusion is Quillan, a 6-foot-1 centre, who played quiet effective hockey through four exhibition games (no points, three shots on goal). He was the fifth-highest scorer on the Marlies last year, with one NHL appearance.

The Leafs have David Kampf and Michael Pezzetta in AHL reserve after they cleared waivers, allowing the resillient Calle Jarnkrok to have his $2.1 million contract fit under the cap.

All three of the summer forward acquisitions, Roy, Maccelli and Joshua, will debut on different lines, Maccelli in the coveted Mitch Marner spot with Matthews and Knies.

Lhornby@postmedia.com

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