2025-26 Toronto Maple Leafs General Discussion

[Arn]

Scmaltz is one that really interests me, for definite.

 

[dappleganger]

Scmaltz is one that really interests me, for definite.

I think if the Leafs move McMann replacing him in the lineup next year with Schmaltz is the right move.

 

[L K]

Tampa (A1)	55GP 37-14-4	78 points (.709)
Carolina (M1)	57GP 36-15-6	78 points (.684)
Montreal (A2)	57GP 32-17-8	72 points (.632)
Detroit (A3)	58GP 33-19-6	72 points (.621)
Pittsburgh (M2)	56GP 29-15-12	70 points (.625)
Buffalo (WC1)	57GP 32-19-6	70 points (.614)
Boston (WC2)	57GP 32-20-5	69 points (.605)
New York (M3)	58GP 32-21-5	69 points (.595)
Columbus	56GP 29-20-7	65 points (.580)
Washington	59GP 29-23-7	65 points (.551)
Ottawa	57GP 28-22-7	63 points (.553)
Toronto	57GP 27-21-9	63 points (.553)
Philadelphia	56GP 25-20-11	61 points (.545)
Florida	57GP 29-25-3	61 points (.535)
New Jersey	57GP 28-27-2	58 points (.509)

We have hit the Olympic break. 6 points back of a playoff spot. The Leafs come back on February 25th and finish their season on the 15th of April (50 days). They have 25 games remaining so average a game every other day. They play a game on zero days rest 6 times. They play a game on 1 days rest 11 times. They get 2 days off 4 times. They have three days off once.

Six back to backs. Three games in 4 nights 3 times.

The Leafs schedule starts back with a Tampa/Florida back to back on the road and play Ottawa at home for 3 games in 4 nights. They get one day off and then play Philly at home, get a day off and then play New Jersey/Florida for a back to back on the road. 6 games in 9 days. The next day is the trade deadline.

Back-to-Backs:
- Tampa (Road) to Florida (Road). The Panthers will be rested.
- New Jersey (Road) to Rangers (Road). The Rangers will be rested.
- Buffalo (Road) to Minnesota (Road). Minnesota plays the previous night at home.
- Carolina (Home) to Ottawa (Road). Ottawa will be rested.
- Boston (Road) to Rangers (Home). Rangers will be rested.
- Washington (Home) to Islanders (Road). Islanders will be rested.

The Leafs need to recoup assets but their schedule coming out of the break will likely force their hand.

 

[L K]

Then vs. Now (57 games into the season). 1st in the Atlantic and 2nd in the East to 7th in the Atlantic and 12th in the East

	2024-2025	2025-2026
Record	35-20-2 (72 points - .632)	27-21-9 (63 points - .553)
Home Record	20-11-0	16-9-6
Road Record	15-9-2	11-12-3
Goals For	180	188
Goals Against	161	194
PP%	23.1%	18.8%
PK%	79.6%	83.7%
Leading Goals	Nylander (33)	Matthews (26)
Leading Points	Marner (71)	Nylander (52) (*74 point pace for 57 GP)
Leading Defense	Rielly (26)	OEL (34)
Goalies	Woll (30 GS 2.63 .910); Stolarz (19 GS 2.13 .928); Hildeby (6 GS 3.33 .878); Murray ( 2 GS 3.54 .879)	Woll (25 GS 2.92 .910); Stolarz (16 GS 3.55 .882) Hildeby (13 GS 2.90 .912); Primeau (3 GS 4.30 .838)
Not in the Lineup	Matthews (15); McMann (8); McCabe (9); Domi (8); Tavares (7); Knies (4); Tanev (2); Marner (1); OEL (1)	Tanev (46); Carlo (23); Joshua (21); Laughton (18); Nylander (17); Laughton (7); Matthews (6); Robertson (3); Knies (3); Rielly (3); Domi (2); McCabe (2); McMann (1)

What obviously doesn't show in the Leafs injury lineup this year are the guys who have clearly not played healthy. Nylander is putting up phenomenal point totals but spent a month looking like garbage between injuries. McCabe was having a great season and then became unplayable for a few weeks. Knies might as well have missed half the season. OEL is made of rubber. Hell even Rielly you could make an argument for playing hurt for a while (although I think the warts in his game are evident when he is healthy too)

 

[herman]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2019921744497172749

 

[CarltonTheBear]

I mean that just means they would have had to send him down the day before the break/roster freeze.

 

[herman]

I mean that just means they would have had to send him down the day before the break/roster freeze.

There’s quite a bit they should have done differently by November.