2026-27 Toronto Maple Leafs General Discussion | Official: Sundin & Chayka to lead front office

[Zee]

Won't be long now, couple more weeks before all the hockey media get back into full force and get ready to cover training camp. I have no idea what to expect from the team this season. I think they underachieved massively last season, so does that mean we could make the playoffs again this year with a bounce back campaign? Who the heck knows!

 

[L K]

This is going to be one heck of a September.

Massive overhaul to the roster. Only 4 preseason games.

Matthews (is he healthy), Nylander (is he motivated/healthy), Knies (is he healthy), Tavares (can he stave off age and the CRA), Domi (will he play), Joshua (is he healthy)
Sissons (new), Blueger (new), Roslovic (new), Paul (new), Duhaime (new), McKenna (rookie and new),
Cowan (can he avoid a sophomore slump)
Lorentz (how often does he get in the lineup)
Klobar (does he force his way onto the team)
Groulx (did last year matter enough to get a chance), Haymes (is he valued enough to get a chance), Quillan (tick tock), Tverberg (is he valued enough to get a chance), Pezzetta (fodder), MacEwan (fodder)

21 forwards who COULD step in to the lineup at some point.

Moves are still coming.

 

[cw]

This is going to be one heck of a September.

Massive overhaul to the roster. Only 4 preseason games.

Matthews (is he healthy), Nylander (is he motivated/healthy), Knies (is he healthy), Tavares (can he stave off age and the CRA), Domi (will he play), Joshua (is he healthy)
Sissons (new), Blueger (new), Roslovic (new), Paul (new), Duhaime (new), McKenna (rookie and new),
Cowan (can he avoid a sophomore slump)
Lorentz (how often does he get in the lineup)
Klobar (does he force his way onto the team)
Groulx (did last year matter enough to get a chance), Haymes (is he valued enough to get a chance), Quillan (tick tock), Tverberg (is he valued enough to get a chance), Pezzetta (fodder), MacEwan (fodder)

21 forwards who COULD step in to the lineup at some point.

Moves are still coming.

"Only 4 preseason games." probably means they have to focus on the Marlies players who are not waivers exempt (& not fodder): Groulx and Tverberg
Given the UFA signings, I suspect the decisions on the forwards have already been made and the only question will be if Groulx & Tverberg clear waivers. Groulx cleared waivers the past two seasons so that shouldn't cause a lot of suspense. I'd guess Tverberg would clear as well.
If Domi doesn't start the season on LTIR, that could make things interesting.
If they bring in another winger for the top 6 (maybe on a PTO), that also might make it interesting.
Unlike many - particularly, Leafs management and coaching, depending on what moves they might yet make, I would look at Lettieri to see if he could help their top 9. He'd definitely help their second PP.

 

[herman]

"Only 4 preseason games." probably means they have to focus on the Marlies players who are not waivers exempt (& not fodder)

Just a note on preseason: the Leafs are slated for 4 games, but only playing on two nights (Sept 19, 23) vs Montreal and Ottawa. i.e. everyone is playing split-squad away and at home at the same time; home games are usually where the money makers play, while B squads get the away treatment.

How this plays out with respect to the players vying for an NHL spot comes down to the veteran requirements for preseason games and what strategic approach the new coaching staff and management group are angling for (chemistry building vs winning a role).

If it were up to me, the Joshuas and Lorentzes and Quillans and Tverbergs and Villeneuves will be on the away squad with the clear message to impress the brass and embarrass the home team, while the Danfords and Koblars and McKennas will be integrated into the NHL squad to see how they mesh to see how close they are.

 

[herman]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2091873164301361287

wut (oh, it's the jersey number)