Much has changed for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2025 NHL offseason. Look no further than Mitch Marner’s vacant seat in the locker room to see just how different the team is now. However, while his absence will be significant, a former teammate of John Tavares has recently stated it could all be for the better for Auston Matthews and the Buds.
No matter how prepared Toronto felt to let go of Marner, once the trade went through nothing was the same. As the 2025-26 NHL season looms closer, Matthews, Tavares, and company know the pressure is solely on their shoulders now.
The homegrown Ontarian kid is no longer around to be held responsible. And make no mistake, the trade will be revisited time and again all season long. Expect comparisons between Marner’s production in Las Vegas and the Buds in Toronto to become common sightings in the NHL.
There’s only one way to make the buzz go away. The Leafs know the answer by heart now, but something had always been missing for them to execute. According to Thomas Hickey—the former New York Islanders defenseman and Tavares’ teammate—Marner leaving was just what Matthews and the team needed.
Mitchell Marner #16 of the Toronto Maple Leafs waits for a faceoff against the Anaheim Ducks during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on February 7, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
“One thing that remains: Craig Berube is there. If anything, with losing Mitch Marner is going to make them more of a hockey team,” Hickey stated on NHL Network. “We’re not going to be talking about the Big Three, the Big Four. Those days are over. You get two superstars: Auston Matthews and William Nylander. And then you’ve got a balanced hockey club. Brad Treliving made the best out of the hand he was dealt.”
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Is Robertson in or out?
11 players across the NHL filed for salary arbitration—only one remains without a contract: Nicholas Robertson. The Maple Leafs’ restricted free agent (RFA) is the last one standing, though that’s far from a good thing.
Toronto has seemingly yet to make up its mind about the 23-year-old forward. Robertson is coming off a 22-point season in which he found the back of the net 15 times. Undoubtedly, the California-native has been fairly efficient with the 12 minutes of ice time he averaged this campaign. Regardless, he may no longer have a place on the lineup. Especially after the third line saw key additions on Nicholas Roy and Dakota Joshua.
Robertson might have been downgraded to the fourth line, but even there, the 5’9” winger might be of no use. Thus, instead of accepting his role as an extra, being in and out of the lineup consistently, the youngster might be eyeing a fresh start somewhere else.
Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs speaks to the press during Media Day for the 2020 NHL All-Star at Stifel Theatre on January 23, 2020 in St Louis, Missouri.
Projected forward lines
Toronto will continue to entertain offers for Calle Jarnkrok and David Kampf, both fourth-liners whose departures could open up cap space for the Buds. However, the market for such players is anything but vibrant at the moment. As things stand, Berube could roll out the following forward lines.
SurveyWhich description do you think best fits Toronto going into the 2025-26 NHL season?
Which description do you think best fits Toronto going into the 2025-26 NHL season?
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- LW Matthew Knies – C Auston Matthews – RW Matias Maccelli
- Max Domi – C John Tavares – RW William Nylander
- Dakota Joshua – C Nicholas Roy – RW Bobby McCann
- Steven Lorentz – C Scott Laughton – RW Calle Jarnkrok
- Scratched: Nicholas Robertson – David Kampf – Michael Pezzetta
