One Shining Light for the Maple Leafs in 2025–26
The 2025-26 season was a rough one for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Not just disappointing. Rough. The kind of season where you keep looking for something to hold onto and come up a little short most nights. But there was one real bright spot. His name was Benoit-Olivier “Bo” Groulx.
Groulx played most of the season with the Toronto Marlies.
He’s a player who spent most of the season down with the Marlies doing something that eventually became hard to ignore. In 59 AHL games, he put up 52 points—28 goals and 24 assists. That led the team in goals and put him right near the top in scoring. He chipped in shorthanded, worked the power play, and showed he could contribute in different situations. That kind of versatility tends to travel well.
Eventually, the Maple Leafs took a look.
When Groulx got his call-up, it wasn’t a long audition—just 13 games—but there was enough there to raise eyebrows. Especially early. In his first six games, he put up five points, including a couple of game-winners and even a shorthanded goal. That’s the kind of start that gets noticed, even in a crowded lineup.
Groulx eventually cooled down, but his good impression never went away.
Things cooled off after that, as they often do. The NHL has a way of settling players in a hurry. But what mattered wasn’t the slowdown; it was that early stretch. It showed he could play at the NHL level. He didn’t look overwhelmed. He looked like he belonged.
And it’s worth noting how he was used. Groulx wasn’t dropped into a scoring role and asked to carry anything. He played mostly in the bottom six, alongside players like Jacob Quillan and, at times, Nick Robertson. His job was simple: bring energy, be reliable, finish the chances that came his way, and hold his own defensively.
So did he meet expectations? Not really. He flew past them.
Entering last season, Groulx looked like the best forward depth. Now he looks like more.
Coming into the season, Groulx looked like organizational depth—someone you keep around in case you need a call-up. By the end of it, he had turned himself into something more interesting. At 26, he’s not a prospect in the traditional sense, but hockey has always had room for players who figure it out a little later. He looks like one of those players now—a useful piece who can grind, contribute, and give you honest minutes.
Looking ahead, it’s probably wise not to get carried away. He’s not suddenly a top-six forward. But there’s a clear path for him as a bottom-six centre who can kill penalties, chip in offensively, and maybe steal you a game here and there with a timely goal.
The Maple Leafs can use another forward like Groulx in their lineup.
The Maple Leafs had a season they’d rather forget. But in the middle of it, Bo Groulx gave them—and their fans—something worth remembering. They certainly could use another forward, as he showed he could be in their lineup next season. Training camp will be his chance to show he belongs for good.