Key departures
Mitch MarnerF: The 28-year-old could have become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. Marner was sent to Vegas after signing an eight-year contract in a sign-and-trade deal. He had 102 points (27 goals, 75 assists) in 81 games last season and 741 points (221 goals, 520 assists) in 657 games over nine seasons. It left the Maple Leafs fifth in team history in points and fourth in assists. … Holmberg BridgeF: The 26-year-old signed a two-year contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning on July 1 as an unrestricted free agent after not receiving a qualifying offer from the Maple Leafs. He had 19 points (seven goals, 12 assists) in 68 games last season. … Max PaciorettyF: The 36-year-old was not re-signed and remains an unrestricted free agent. He had 13 points (five goals, eight assists) in 37 games last season. … Ryan ReavesF: The 38-year-old had two assists in 35 games last season. … Brendan Shanahan, President: His contract was not renewed when it expired on June 30. He has held this position since his hiring on April 11, 2014.
At dawn
Easton CowanF: The 20-year-old, Toronto’s first-round pick (28th overall) in the 2023 NHL Draft, led the Ontario Hockey League in scoring in the playoffs with 39 points (13 goals, 26 assists) in 17 games for London and helped them win the Memorial Cup. He is a candidate to make the Maple Leafs team coming out of training camp. … Cade WeberD: The 24-year-old was acquired from the Hurricanes on March 7, 2024. Weber had seven points (one goal, six assists) in 60 games for Toronto in the American Hockey League last season. … Guillaume VilleneuveD: The 23-year-old had 40 points (four goals, 36 assists) in 55 AHL games last season, his third full season with the Maple Leafs’ top affiliate. … Jacob QuillanF: The 23-year-old played one game in the NHL last season and had 37 points (18 goals, 19 assists) in 67 AHL games.
What they still need
Marner’s absence presents a big void to fill on a left wing line Matthew Knies and center Auston Matthews. Maccelli believes he has an opportunity to occupy a top-two spot, but the acquisition of another top-six forward or the emergence of Cowan will be necessary for the Maple Leafs to be a legitimate Stanley Cup contender.
They said it
“We have to find a way to create a team, both ears and personnel, to be at our best in critical moments. There is a DNA that needs to change in our team.” — general manager Brad Treliving
EDGE statistic to watch
Each half of Toronto’s goaltending tandem stood out in terms of saves based on shot location last season. Anthony Stolarzwho led the NHL in save percentage (.926; minimum 30 starts), ranked third in high-danger save percentage (.849), behind only Darcy Kuemper of the Los Angeles Kings (.863) and Andrei Vasilevsky of the Lightning (.853). Joseph Wolltied for 10th in save percentage (.909; minimum 30 games), was tied for sixth in mid-range save percentage (.912). The Maple Leafs’ team save percentage (.905) ranked fourth in the League, their highest ranking in that category since 1994-95 (also fourth). -Troy Perlowitz
