The Toronto Maple Leafs are seemingly going back to the well ahead of the 2025-26 NHL season. After parting ways with Mitch Marner, Auston Matthews and Toronto are reportedly getting the right signals for the return of a former first-round selection by the Leafs.
The Maple Leafs might be falling victim to nostalgia. Moreover, Toronto could be tripping over the same stone along the way. After watching Marner—a hometown kid—exit the organization as a “villain,” the Leafs could be re-entering the cycle.
Matthews and company need all the help they can get, but they can’t risk throwing all their progress and growth away either. Marner’s exit has left a big void in the lineup, and there’s no crystal-clear solution to patch it over. Perhaps the answer lies in Toronto’s past—regardless of how it ended—or maybe that’s a recipe for disaster. Either way, the Maple Leafs are sick and tired of sitting around and waiting. They’re now taking the wheel, determined to create their own luck.
Guess who’s—on his way—back
On that note, reports indicate the Maple Leafs are closing in on Calgary Flames forward Nazem Kadri. The Ontario native has seemingly shown interest in returning home to The Heartland Province.
Nazem Kadri #91 of the Calgary Flames looks on during the first period against the Seattle Kraken at Climate Pledge Arena on February 02, 2025 in Seattle, Washington.
“One name to keep an on eye on for Toronto is Nazem Kadri,” insider Elliotte Friedman said in dialogue with Sportsnet 590 The Fan. “I’m hearing that there are serious desires from both sides for a reunion.”
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NHL News: Auston Matthews’ brand-new Maple Leafs teammate puts Panthers on notice after Mitch Marner trade
Work in progress
Fans in The Six are getting anxious about the Maple Leafs’ lineup after Marner’s departure. However, the NHL offseason has only just begun, and changes are expected prior to the beginning of training camp and pre-season in the spring.
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“It might be late July and into August until [the Maple Leafs] finally complete the picture here. Marchand was their number one target, but make no mistake, this is not the Leafs roster that will be comprised in training camp,” insider Chris Johnston said on TSN.
