The Toronto Maple Leafs are at a crossroads - not quite blowing it all up, but definitely shifting gears. With their position in the standings slipping and the postseason picture growing murkier, the organization is embracing a retool.
That means becoming sellers at the deadline, but don’t expect a fire sale. There’s a core group in Toronto that isn’t going anywhere, and for good reason.
The Core Pillars: Matthews and Nylander
Let’s start with the obvious: Auston Matthews isn’t just staying - he is the plan. The Leafs and Matthews doubled down on their commitment to each other just this past week, and any trade chatter around him is officially dead.
He’s signed through 2028 and continues to be one of the NHL’s most lethal goal scorers. More than that, Matthews is the face of the franchise, the heartbeat of the locker room, and the guy everything else is built around.
If the Leafs are retooling, he’s the foundation they’re building on.
Right alongside him is William Nylander, who’s taken his game to another level this season. He’s not just producing - he’s doing it when it counts most.
Nylander’s long-term deal, which runs through the 2031-32 season, locks him in as a key piece of Toronto’s future. The Leafs see him as part of the solution, not a trade chip.
Even if this season doesn’t go according to plan, Nylander and Matthews will remain untouchable - a duo the franchise is banking on for years to come.
The Next Layer: Knies and Woll
Then there’s Matthew Knies, a player Toronto clearly values highly. There was a moment last year when the Leafs reportedly had the chance to trade Knies for Mikko Rantanen - a blockbuster-level move - but GM Brad Treliving wasn’t willing to pull the trigger.
That decision speaks volumes. Knies has since signed a seven-year extension, and while he’s battled through a lower-body injury this season, his game continues to evolve.
He brings a rare blend of size, speed, physicality, and scoring touch - the kind of two-way winger every team covets. At his age and cap hit, Knies is exactly the type of player you keep during a retool, not ship out for picks.
In net, Joseph Woll has emerged as the Maple Leafs’ go-to option between the pipes. Injuries have slowed him at times, but when healthy, he’s shown the poise and consistency of a long-term starter.
With a team-friendly contract that runs two more years after this one, Woll gives Toronto both stability and cap flexibility - a valuable combo in today’s NHL. If veteran Anthony Stolarz keeps up his recent form, he could be on the move at the deadline, but Woll is locked in as the future in goal.
The Bigger Picture: Everything Else Is on the Table
Outside of that core four - Matthews, Nylander, Knies, and Woll - the Leafs are open for business. Calls are being taken, and the front office is ready to listen.
It’s not a full-scale rebuild, at least not yet, but the shift toward youth, draft picks, and long-term assets is underway. Toronto knows it needs to replenish the pipeline and reshape the roster around its stars.
The message is clear: the Maple Leafs aren’t tearing it all down, but they’re not standing pat either. They’re protecting their most valuable pieces and setting the stage for a smarter, more sustainable future. And while the word “rebuild” might not be used publicly, the actions speak louder - this is a team pivoting toward tomorrow, with a select few leading the way.