Mitch Marner is officially gone from the Maple Leafs, and that could force Auston Matthews to make some adjustments on the ice heading into the upcoming NHL season—at least, that’s the assessment in a detailed analysis by TSN’s Travis Yost.
In his article, Yost points out that while Matthews remains a ‘bona fide superstar’ capable of thriving alongside nearly any linemate—and could even see a boost in his individual production knowing he’ll have to carry more of the offensive load—he’s still losing something valuable with Marner’s departure, and that could impact Toronto’s overall performance.
“Looking into the 2025-26 season, you will surely see several different faces on Matthews’ wing. Knies should be glued to his hip, but players like Max Domi and the aforementioned Maccelli should get significant opportunity, with veteran John Tavares anchoring the second line. And until Toronto finds a recipe that works across their top six, I anticipate a good bit of line tinkering to start the year.”
What’s the biggest adjustment Matthews will need to make?
With Marner out of the lineup, Yost highlights the power play as the most significant area where Matthews will feel the difference. That’s where the challenges will be most noticeable. “The story is a bit more concerning,” Yost wrote, referencing the steep drop in power-play production when Matthews skated without Marner.
Mitch Marner with Maple Leafs teammates. (Getty Images)
“But the music he has made on the power play over the past few years directly tied to his chemistry with Marner. In the 100 minutes Matthews did not play with Marner on the man advantage, Toronto’s power play was a shell of itself, about 30 per cent less proficient in rate scoring.”
Who might replace Marner and support Matthews on the power play?
According to Yost, Morgan Rielly could be the one to help fill that void and prevent the power play from slipping too far without Marner. He delivered 13 power play assists last season and scored a single goal.
“The personnel of the rest of the unit should at least have a similar look and feel — William Nylander, Tavares, and Knies should all be regular fixtures on Toronto’s top unit, likely along with Morgan Rielly. This is a team that tried five-forward deployments last season, so with Marner gone, it’s likely Rielly who will soak up more responsibility.”
see also
Mitch Marner’s net worth: How much money does the Vegas Golden Knights right winger have?
