The Toronto Maple Leafs are in the middle of a two-week break, but when they return, it’s full throttle to the finish line. With the trade deadline looming and the playoff picture still murky, this is a franchise at a crossroads-and the next couple of months will tell us a lot about what direction they’re heading.
So, who are the 2025-26 Maple Leafs, really?
Are they a talented team that stumbled early and is now stuck in a brutal Atlantic Division? Are they underachieving in spite of their star power? Or are they simply the victim of bad timing in a top-heavy conference?
Here’s the thing: if Toronto played in the Pacific Division, they’d be sitting in a playoff spot right now. They’re only one point behind the Edmonton Oilers, a team still widely seen as a legitimate Stanley Cup contender. But thanks to the stacked Atlantic, the Leafs are on the outside looking in-and that’s ignited a debate that’s only going to intensify as the March 6 trade deadline approaches.
Let’s break down the three biggest questions facing the Leafs as they gear up for the final stretch of the season.
1. Buyers or Sellers?
It’s the question hanging over every front office this time of year, but in Toronto, it carries a little more weight.
On one hand, the Leafs are right there in the standings with some of the league’s top teams. On the other, there’s a growing sentiment that this group might need a reset. The decision to buy or sell isn’t just about where they stand today-it’s about the long-term vision for the franchise.
Now, while General Manager Brad Treliving is the one crafting the roster, the ultimate call may come from higher up the ladder. President and CEO Keith Pelley is expected to play a significant role in shaping the team’s direction at the deadline.
If the organization leans toward selling, there are some intriguing pieces that could be moved. Players like Bobby McMann, Scott Laughton, Matias Maccelli, Nick Robertson, and Oliver Ekman-Larsson could all draw interest from contenders. That kind of retool wouldn’t be a full teardown, but it would signal a shift in priorities-one eye on the future instead of going all-in this spring.
Whatever the decision, it’s going to define how the Leafs approach the final weeks of the season-and potentially reshape the roster for years to come.
2. What’s the Plan in Net?
Goaltending is always a hot topic in Toronto, and this season is no different.
Joseph Woll and Anthony Stolarz are both under contract beyond this year, which suggests the Leafs see them as part of the plan moving forward. But Stolarz’s injury earlier this season opened the door for Dennis Hildeby, who looked the part during his brief run as the backup. Now that Stolarz is healthy again, the situation is a little murkier.
Do the Leafs stick with the current tandem? Could Stolarz be moved at the deadline if the team decides to sell? And what happens if another injury hits between now and April?
There’s no urgent need to make a long-term call right now, but the clock is ticking. If Toronto wants to solidify its goaltending picture, these next few weeks will be telling. Stability in net is crucial, especially for a team still trying to figure out its identity down the stretch.
3. Can the Core Silence the Doubts?
This is the big one.
Auston Matthews and William Nylander are the faces of the franchise-and two of the most dynamic players in the NHL. But fair or not, their playoff track record continues to raise questions about whether they can lead the Leafs deep into the postseason.
Now, with the Olympics on the horizon, both players have a chance to shift the narrative.
Matthews will be a centerpiece for Team USA, while Nylander is expected to play a major role for Team Sweden. If either team falls short-especially if the Americans don’t bring home gold-you can bet the “are they winners?”
conversation will resurface. That’s just the nature of the spotlight these two live under.
But the flip side is just as powerful. If Matthews or Nylander delivers a signature moment on the international stage-something that echoes through the hockey world-it could redefine how they’re viewed, not just as Leafs, but as elite players capable of rising to the moment.
It wouldn’t erase what’s happened in past playoff runs, but it would be a step toward rewriting the script. And for a fanbase that’s been waiting for that breakthrough, a little Olympic magic could go a long way.
Bottom Line:
The Maple Leafs are heading into the most important stretch of their season with more questions than answers. The decisions they make at the deadline, the performance of their goaltenders, and the legacy-building opportunities for their stars all hang in the balance.
This isn’t just about chasing a playoff spot-it’s about defining who this team is and what it wants to be. Whether that leads to a surge up the standings or a strategic reset, one thing’s for sure: the next few weeks are going to be fascinating in Toronto.