The Maple Leafs Best Players Forgot How to Look Like Themselves
The 2025-26 season was a disaster for the Toronto Maple Leafs. After finishing first in the Atlantic Division and second overall in the Eastern Conference in 2024-25, Toronto fell all the way to last place in the Atlantic Division one year later. They missed the playoffs by a wide margin, leading to major changes throughout the organization.
Brad Treliving was replaced as general manager. Craig Berube was replaced as head coach. John Chayka was brought in to reshape the roster, and Jim Hiller was hired to lead the team behind the bench.
The changes to the Maple Leafs’ leadership were necessary.
However, when looking back at last season, one thing stands out. The Maple Leafs did not suddenly become a team without talent. Their best players simply did not perform at the level they had established previously.
That might be the biggest reason for optimism heading into 2026-27. If Auston Matthews and Morgan Rielly can return closer to their previous form, the Maple Leafs may not need the complete transformation many people expect.
Related: Can the Maple Leafs Unlock the Players They Already Have?
Auston Matthews Needs to Be Auston Matthews Again.
The biggest example is Matthews. In his final three seasons under Sheldon Keefe, Matthews played 222 games and scored 169 goals with 129 assists for 298 points. That is an 82-game pace of 62 goals and 100 points. Under Craig Berube, Matthews played 127 games and scored 60 goals with 71 assists for 131 points. That translates to an 82-game pace of 40 goals and 86 points.
Those are still excellent numbers, but for Matthews, they represent a significant decline. Whether the reason was injuries, system changes, or increased defensive responsibility, Toronto needs its best player to return to being the player who controls games offensively.
Morgan Rielly Could Benefit From a New System.
Rielly's decline was less noticeable, but the numbers are just as significant. In his final three seasons under Keefe, Rielly recorded 167 points in 219 games, an 82-game pace of 63 points. Under Berube, he produced 77 points in 160 games, an 82-game pace of 39 points.
The biggest issue was that Rielly's strengths were not being fully utilized. He has always been at his best moving the puck, joining the rush, and creating offence from the back end. If Hiller wants the defence to move the puck quicker and contribute more offensively, Rielly should benefit.
The Maple Leafs Need Their Stars to Look Like Themselves Again.
The bottom line is that Matthews needs to look like Matthews again. Rielly needs to play the way that made him one of the NHL's best offensive defencemen. If both players return to their previous form, the Maple Leafs will be a much tougher team to play against.
The biggest improvement Toronto makes next season may not come from a new addition. It may come from their best players finally looking like themselves again.