As training camps wind down and the preseason gets underway, the area feels a renewed sense of energy, with the hope that teams that missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs a season ago will return this season. One of those teams is the Toronto Maple Leafs.
As NHLRumors.com has documented, the Maple Leafs faced a summer of uncertainty and change. John Chayka is the new general manager, and Jim Hiller is the new head coach. Toronto got the first overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, and they selected Gavin McKenna.
In addition, the Maple Leafs filled holes by adding Darren Raddysh, Sergei Bobrovsky, Jack Roslovic, Colton Sissons, Teddy Blueger, and Brandon Duhaime. They also acquired Nick Paul and Emile Andrae. These moves clearly aimed to keep Auston Matthews in Toronto. However, Matthews never indicated publicly that he wanted out; he just wanted to see improvements.
From all accounts, the plan has always been to remain with the Maple Leafs and win in Toronto. It’s about putting the right pieces in place so the team can play the style they want to. It was clear Craig Berube’s system didn’t work. So the Toronto Maple Leafs are hoping that all the changes will pay off and they get back into the playoffs. Sometimes too many changes are a bad thing.
Could Auston Matthews and Zach Werenski Change Their Minds?
Despite being in a tough Atlantic Division, the Toronto Maple Leafs are poised to get back to the playoffs this season because they are better than most people think. Would it shock anyone if Toronto surprised a lot of people and pushed for a playoff spot this season?
While this thinking might be off the beaten path, they have a good shot at finishing fourth in the Atlantic Division, as mentioned during an appearance on SiriusXM NHL Network Radio.
I actually have Toronto fourth. I know it might be too many changes. Sometimes that is, a bad thing. But you had (Jonathan Davis) on. Everybody out there in LA and I like Jim Hiller as a coach. I know he’s had some mistakes in the playoffs, but he can get you there. And Gavin McKenna, to me, is what they were missing last year on that top line.
It’s like, okay, Mitch Marner’s gone, but we don’t have that guy, that dude. And to me, going into the draft, I said McKenna for me because that’s what they needed. That’s what Matthews needed. That’s what (Matthew) Knies needed. I like the Raddysh signing. To me, way too many years. The player had one good season. It’s a great.
I mean, they overhauled this roster. The Roslovic is great. Like, but I think they did what they needed to do. And John Chayka is putting his hands on this roster, and I think maybe they just needed a year away from the playoffs and time to reset. And now let’s come back in and retool this thing. I do think they can get into the playoffs and be the fourth-place team in this division.
The Montreal Canadiens Primed to Make a Move in the Future
That said, Sergei Bobrovsky is a year older, and there are question marks around him. While the players love having him on the team, how will he perform in a different system under a different coach, as asked during an appearance on SiriusXM NHL Network Radio?
Look. I watched Bobrovsky down in Florida. It was a tough year for him just because they had so many injuries down in Florida. He did get exposed a little bit, but if Chris Tanev can play for Toronto, he’s going to be protected, and he can come up with the saves that they need to.
They rejig that goaltending tandem. Bobrovsky and Stolarz know each other from Florida. That was a tandem that won a cup. I like it because now Anthony Stolarz can be the 1B that. That’s what he really is. He’s not a true 1A. He can’t play more than like 35 games. For some reason, it just doesn’t work.
I think they can offset everything. And the defensive system: Hiller can make this team play defence. We saw that in LA, and they can add a little bit more offensive punch. I like what Toronto has done. That’s why I have them there at fourth.
2026-27 Toronto Maple Leafs Season Preview
It will be a fascinating season for the Toronto Maple Leafs, but they have the pieces in John Tavares, William Nylander, Matthew Knies, Auston Matthews, and Gavin McKenna, plus complementary pieces to get back to the Stanley Cup Playoffs this season.
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