Maple Leafs’ Injury Woes: A Brutal Season That Didn’t Have to Be This Way
Injuries are part of the game in hockey - every team knows that. But what the Toronto Maple Leafs are dealing with this season isn’t just bad luck.
It’s a pattern. And when you look closer, it’s a pattern that feels less like coincidence and more like consequence.
Let’s break it down: the Leafs didn’t just stumble into this rash of injuries. From roster construction to coaching philosophy to internal staffing decisions, Toronto has built a team that plays hard, but maybe too hard for its own good - especially over the grind of an 82-game season.
A Roster Built for Contact - and Consequences
Start with the roster. Over the last few seasons, the Leafs have clearly shifted their identity.
The front office has prioritized size, grit, and playoff-style physicality. Bigger bodies, veteran players, north-south skaters who thrive in the trenches.
There’s nothing inherently wrong with that approach. In fact, in the postseason, it’s often a recipe for success.
But there’s a trade-off. These are players who block shots, finish checks, grind along the boards, and go hard to the net - every night.
It’s a style that takes a toll, especially when you’re leaning on older players who’ve already logged a lot of miles.
Over time, that wear and tear adds up. And this season, it’s showing up all over the lineup.
The Leafs didn’t just build a physical team - they built one that’s constantly in the line of fire. That’s a tough way to survive a full NHL season.
Berube’s System: High Motor, High Risk
Now layer in Craig Berube’s coaching style. Berube is a “contact and compete” coach through and through.
He wants his players to engage physically, forecheck aggressively, and battle on every shift. It’s a system that can be highly effective - we’ve seen it work before - but it’s also demanding.
It asks a lot of the body, and over time, that grind can wear players down.
When you combine that kind of system with a roster already built around physicality and veteran minutes, the risk of injuries doesn’t just increase - it compounds. The Leafs are playing a heavy brand of hockey, and they’re doing it without much built-in margin for recovery.
The Silent Role of Sports Science - Or Lack Thereof
Then there’s the behind-the-scenes piece that might be the most overlooked - and arguably the most preventable. Last summer, the Leafs eliminated a key sports science position, along with a supporting role.
These weren’t just analysts crunching numbers. They were responsible for managing player workloads, anticipating injury risks, and serving as a critical bridge between the medical staff, strength coaches, and coaching staff.
Without that structure, the responsibility has fallen to assistant strength coaches - folks who are already stretched thin. And maybe more importantly, there’s now no clear authority to step in and say, “This guy needs rest,” or “We’re pushing too hard.”
That kind of oversight matters. Without it, players can fall through the cracks.
One too many shifts. One recovery day missed.
One nagging injury that turns into a long-term problem.
The Leafs didn’t just lose a department - they lost a layer of protection.
The Patterns Are Hard to Ignore
Look at the results. William Nylander, who’s been one of the most durable players on the roster, is missing significant time.
Auston Matthews has dealt with injuries over the past two seasons, and his production has dipped each year. Other core players have been in and out of the lineup, and the team has struggled to find consistency.
This isn’t just about individual bad breaks. It’s a trend.
And when you take a step back, the throughline becomes clear: a physically demanding roster, a hard-driving coach, and a diminished support structure behind the scenes. It’s a formula that’s left the Leafs more vulnerable than they’ve been in years.
Hockey Is Tough - But This Didn’t Have to Be
No one’s saying injuries can be eliminated. They’re part of the game, especially in a sport as fast and physical as hockey.
But teams can manage risk. They can build in buffers.
They can create systems that give players the best chance to stay healthy and effective over the long haul.
Right now, the Maple Leafs haven’t done that. Whether it’s the roster makeup, the coaching demands, or the decision to scale back their sports science infrastructure, the organization has made choices that - intentionally or not - have increased the toll on its players.
If Toronto wants to avoid a repeat next season, it’s not just about getting healthy. It’s about rethinking the foundation.
Because the grind of the NHL isn’t getting any easier. And if you’re going to play a punishing style of hockey, you’d better have a plan to protect the guys who are doing the punishing.