If the Maple Leafs are going to make a real push for the next level, the cleanest answer may already be sitting in front of them: put William Nylander back on Auston Matthews’ left side and leave them there.
That combination has already shown what it can do. During Jim Hiller’s early seasons with Toronto, Matthews and Nylander were essentially locked together at 5-on-5, logging more minutes than almost anyone else aside from Zach Hyman.
The bigger point wasn’t just the ice time. They drove play when they were out there, and Toronto outscored opponents 76-47 with the two of them on the ice together.
Last season, when the Maple Leafs moved away from that setup and mixed things up more often, the forward group around them never really found a steady rhythm. Separate lines didn’t produce the kind of consistent offence Toronto needed, which is why the obvious question keeps coming back: why split up the team’s best weapon if you don’t have to?
There’s also the money angle. With Matthews and Nylander set to earn nearly $25 million next season, it makes sense to treat them like the core engine of the offence. If they’re going to command that kind of cap space, they should be the pair Toronto leans on most.
A stronger defensive structure and more reliable goaltending could make that even more dangerous. If the Maple Leafs feel more secure behind them, Matthews and Nylander can spend less time worrying about mistakes turning into goals against and more time attacking.
That’s where they do their best work. Keep them together, and Toronto has a chance to build one of the NHL’s most dangerous lines around them.
The other half of the equation is the right side. Matthews has long been at his best when his right winger can finish, create, and force defenders to stay honest.
In this version of the Maple Leafs, the fit there is still unsettled. Jack Roslovic starts to look like the kind of player Toronto had in mind.
He’s not being sold as a sure-fire top-line force, but he brings speed, smart decisions, and the ability to complement a center rather than crowd him.
Toronto still hasn’t locked down a proven top-six right winger this offseason, which is why Roslovic may get the first crack. He and Matthews also have experience together, and that history matters.
So the blueprint is pretty clear. Nylander on Matthews’ left, a capable right-side partner beside them, and the rest of the offence built around that foundation. If Toronto gets that third piece right, Matthews could have the kind of setup that puts him back in the 60-goal range he reached a couple of seasons ago.
In Other News...
A Rare Door May Be Opening For The Leafs To Add Scoring
A rare scoring door may be cracked open for the Maple Leafs, with Kirill Marchenko emerging as a name to watch if Toronto wants to add offense through a less conventional route. The Blue Jackets winger is a restricted free agent after the season, and the Leafs are said to have interest, but the usual offer-sheet path is not a clean fit for them.
That leaves a trade as the more realistic lane, provided a short-term extension can be worked out as part of the deal. For now, there is no indication Toronto and Columbus are actually closing in on anything, but the possibility is notable because it gives the Leafs a chance to chase a proven scorer without waiting for the market to break their way. [Read more 🡒]
Several Former Leafs Are Suddenly Still Waiting For Their Next Chance
Toronto has already moved on with a mostly settled roster for the coming season, but a familiar group of ex-Leafs is still sitting in free agency as the calendar turns toward opening night. Petr Mrazek, John Klingberg, Ryan Reaves, Matt Murray and Michael Bunting are all still looking for their next landing spot, a reminder that not every former Toronto regular has found the same kind of market after leaving town.
There are different reasons for that wait. Klingberg showed enough in San Jose to suggest he can still help a power play, Reaves remains a physical presence with a milestone chase still ahead of him, and Buntings track record in Toronto gives him a case even after his production dipped elsewhere. Mrazek and Murray, meanwhile, have both had injury concerns hanging over their recent seasons, which leaves the group in a strange holding pattern as teams finish sorting out their depth charts. [Read more 🡒]
Morgan Rielly Rumors Just Put The Leafs Blue Line In Focus
Morgan Riellys name keeps hovering over the Maple Leafs blue line as the offseason reshapes the defense around him. Former Leaf Frankie Corrado said he was surprised Rielly has not been traded already, and he expects that move could still come before the season starts, a view that only adds to the uncertainty around a roster that has already seen plenty of change.
If Rielly remains in Toronto, the path forward may look different than it has in past seasons. A lighter load could actually work in his favor, both by giving him more room to contribute offensively and by easing some of the pressure that has followed him, while the coaching staff continues to sort out pairings and power-play usage with several new options in the mix. [Read more 🡒]