2025-26 Toronto Maple Leafs General Discussion

[Arn]

Get a new GM in place over the break. Let him sell off a few players if they can get an astronomical return (OEL for example). Then start the rebuild over the summer.

This HAS to be the course of action.

I'd probably let Berube stay til the end of the season also, or maybe find some kind of interim. One who doesn't care about their record and isn't planning a head coaching career of their own at NHL level so they don't mind losing lots. But who might be able to coach up some younger players. Reason for changing would mainly be player usage - I'd rather a coach played the likes of Quillan etc to see what they can do.

Either way that would give said new GM time to find their own coach. Plus there may be more coaches available in the summer anyway.

 

[Arn]

As for the roster:

Goal

Woll - keep
Hildeby - keep
Stolarz - cash in

Defense

Benoit - cash in
Carlo - Trade
McCabe - keep
Myers - cash in
OEL - cash in
Rielly - trade in off season
Stecher - probably cash in
Tanev - keep, consider position during summer
Thrun - play him

Forward

Cowan - keep, and probably play, but really should be at Marlies
Domi - take whatever you can get
Jarnkrok - cash in
Joshua/Lorentz - i bundle these 2 cos I'd keep one and cash one in. Don't really mind either way
Knies - big keep
Laughton - I'm extending him, and probably giving him an A. I did see an argument for cashing on him, but I think you still need a key "dressing room" guy for next season with all the new guys we'll have
Maccelli - cash in
Matthews - keep obvs
McMann - cash in and sell high cos I don't think his next contract will be as good value for money
Nylander - keep
Quillan - keep and PLAY HIM
Robertson - probably cash in purely cos he might bring some value as RFA
Roy - cash in
Tavares - keep, but let's start to see him on the wing.



My team would look very different next season I'm hoping Rielly can be moved for a defenseman to replace himself. And some of the picks we can get at the deadline might be able to go with him for... someone.

Then I think someone else mentioned him, but would love to see someone like Schmaltz can come in and be a 2nd line centre guy. That puts Tavares out to the wing or even down to 3rd line C. I wouldn't be averse to a Panarin or Necas signing if there was a way to do that to round out the top of the line up. (if they haven't signed already)

 

[Arn]

On Laughton.

I wonder if there's a way of trading him and bring him back in the summer. Best of both worlds.

 

[Bill_Berg]

On Laughton.

I wonder if there's a way of trading him and bring him back in the summer. Best of both worlds.

I wonder why there isn't more of this.

 

[Arn]

I guess the danger is you trade him to XXXX and he loves it so much more there that he agrees an extension or something.

But the narrative is that he loves it in Toronto and wants to stay. If you could get some kind of "gentleman's agreement" that isn't an actual contract with him before the summer maybe there's a way to do it.

I'm sure as a hockey guy he'd appreciate the chance to help the Leafs and have a better side to play with next season...