The Toronto Maple Leafs are heading west, and not a moment too soon. After an 0-4-1 homestand that ended with a 7-4 loss to the Buffalo Sabres, the Leafs leave town eight points back in the playoff race and running out of margin for error. A four-game Western swing looms before the Olympic break, and this is the stretch where teams either find their footing-or start fading from the picture.
Head coach Craig Berube didn’t sugarcoat the situation. His message was clear: scoring alone isn’t going to save this team.
And he’s right. Even when the stars are putting points on the board, the Leafs are still bleeding goals at the other end.
Defensive breakdowns, missed assignments, and a lack of urgency without the puck have become all too familiar. Case in point: they gave up a goal just 16 seconds into the third period against Buffalo-already trailing, already on the back foot.
That kind of lapse isn’t a one-off anymore. It’s a trend.
And in the middle of all this, a few smaller storylines are beginning to take shape-each one a piece of the broader puzzle as the Leafs try to steady the ship.
Scott Laughton’s Message: Stability Over Spotlight
Scott Laughton isn’t hiding how he feels about being in Toronto. “I could see myself being here long-term,” he said recently-a statement that carries weight, especially in a locker room that’s often been accused of being too transactional, too focused on talent over tenacity.
Laughton’s not chasing a big payday or angling for one last contract. He sounds like a player who knows where he is in his career, wants to contribute in a meaningful way, and-maybe most importantly-wants to be part of a team that’s building something sustainable. He’s healthy, confident he’s got good years left, and seems to genuinely buy into the culture Berube is trying to instill.
That kind of mindset matters. Laughton plays the kind of game that doesn’t always make the highlight reel but shows up in the win column-gritty, responsible, team-first.
Whether that turns into a long-term deal will depend less on how he feels and more on how the team performs between now and the March 6 trade deadline. And with the Olympic roster freeze running from February 4-22, time is tight.
If the Leafs are going to make roster decisions, they’ll have to move quickly-or wait until after Italy.
LTIR Moves: Flexibility, Not Fixes
The Leafs placed Chris Tanev and Dakota Joshua on long-term injured reserve this week. On paper, that might sound like a major shake-up, but in practice, it’s more about creating breathing room than making big changes.
Tanev, still dealing with a groin injury, has already served the minimum LTIR stint and could return whenever he’s ready-though there’s no timeline yet. Joshua, recovering from a kidney issue, isn’t expected back until after the Olympic break.
What this move does is give Toronto some cap flexibility. It doesn’t patch the holes, but it gives them room to maneuver-whether that’s rotating bodies, managing minutes, or simply surviving a tough stretch without rushing players back too soon. And with the team already walking a tightrope, the last thing they need is a short-term fix that turns into a long-term problem.
Marshall Rifai Gets the Nod-and the Message
Marshall Rifai was recalled this week, with Henry Thrun and Dakota Mermis heading back down. Rifai hasn’t seen NHL action since a two-game stint in the 2023-24 season, but he’s been steady with the Marlies-four assists, 23 penalty minutes, and a whole lot of hard, honest shifts in 12 games.
He’s not flashy. He’s not going to light up the scoresheet.
But in a moment where the Leafs are losing games because of mental errors and lack of structure, a player like Rifai-who keeps it simple, plays physical, and doesn’t try to do too much-can be a stabilizing presence. If he gets into the lineup, the ask is clear: bring structure, bring energy, and cut down on the self-inflicted wounds.
What’s Next: Urgency Over Offense
Auston Matthews had a goal and two assists against Buffalo, but even he acknowledged the obvious-this isn’t about talent. It’s about desperation.
It’s about urgency. The Leafs can score.
That’s never been the issue. But until they show a consistent commitment to playing without the puck-winning battles, closing gaps, staying locked in shift after shift-they’ll keep finding ways to lose games they should be in.
This Western road trip isn’t about finding chemistry or waiting for a scoring surge. It’s about proving they can play the right way for 60 minutes.
Seattle, Vancouver, and the rest of the West Coast swing won’t care about Toronto’s playoff math or potential. They’ll just try to beat the team in front of them.
And right now, that team has a lot to prove.
If the Leafs can clean up their defensive play and bring a more complete effort, this road trip could be the turning point. If not, it’s just another arena-and the same old problems.
The clock’s ticking. Let’s see who this team really is.