The Toronto Maple Leafs are off to a gradual begin. They’re 3-3-1 to start the 12 months after falling to the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday night time by a rating of 5-3. This can be a completely different Maple Leafs staff than in years previous, which shouldn’t come as a shock to anybody.
Toronto is lacking a extremely expert participant in Mitch Marner. It’s exhausting to switch a 100-point participant like Marner, who performed all three phases of the sport for the Toronto Maple Leafs. To not point out the dynamic of the locker room is completely different. Auston Matthews not has considered one of his good associates on the staff.
There was an enormous shakeup with the Maple Leafs that wanted to occur, and most figured the staff would battle offensively, however to not this extent. So, it begs the query: Are the Toronto Maple Leafs heading down a well-known path, just like the Florida Panthers, when attempting to determine a brand new identification?
Drama At all times Surrounds the Toronto Maple Leafs
?NHL Considered the Day ?
Time to Push The Panic Button ?️in Toronto or are the Maple Leafs Going Although Related Rising Pains the Florida Panthers Went By? #timetohunt #leafsforever @CraigJButton pic.twitter.com/OnRh2DUoq7
— Jim Biringer (@JimBiringer) October 22, 2025
NHLRumors.com Transcriptions
Jim Biringer: “My NHL considered the day. Let’s take a look at the Toronto Maple Leafs for a minute. 3-3-1 via seven video games. Everyone’s asking, what’s incorrect with the Toronto Maple Leafs? Why can’t they discover their identification? What are they on the lookout for? Anthony Stolarz is asking out his teammates once more Tuesday night time after they lose to the Devils, saying we received to be higher. Craig Berube, now popping out, saying we received to be higher. We have to be higher. It’s not ok. Stolarz threw himself in that class as properly.
However Toronto’s lacking one thing. Mitch Marner shouldn’t be there anymore. He’s a dynamic participant. Let’s be sincere. Craig Button of TSN stated you had been going to remorse dropping a participant like this. No matter what occurred within the playoffs, he’s the highest 5 scorer. It’s clear Auston Matthews isn’t the identical participant. That prime line isn’t the identical with out him, the ability play, every part, penalty kill.
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Doesn’t it remind you of a staff if you attempt to change your identification, as a result of you realize what’s not working within the playoffs, takes time and gradual time to search out your self, discover your roles.
The Florida Panthers, 2022-23, that offseason, after they received smoked by the Tampa Bay Lightning, they moved out Jonathan Huberdeau MacKenzie Weegar, bringing in Matthew Tkachuk. Now once more, Nicolas Roy and Matias Maccelli aren’t Matthew Tkachuk, however you modified your identification to be a more durable staff. It took a while via seven video games, the Panthers had been 4-2-1. They hovered round NHL .500 just about the entire season.
It took a while to grasp what Paul Maurice needed to do. Sure, the Leafs look gradual. Sure, the Leafs are a bit older. They’re getting beat by quick groups, nevertheless it’s going to take a while. It’s nonetheless early. Everyone’s received to loosen up in Toronto. Yeah, they’ve received to be higher. However Marner shouldn’t be there. It’s a very completely different identification from what this staff is.
They wish to be a bodily staff. Once more, they’re not beating folks up like they need to. It’s going to take a while. However it’s a stark reminder of if you change, and utterly change your identification, it’s going to take some time to discover a new one.”
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Yearly, we focus on groups studying to navigate adversity. The Toronto Maple Leafs could also be a wildcard staff this 12 months in the event that they proceed enjoying the best way they’re. Which may not be a nasty factor. The Florida Panthers fought all 12 months to make the playoffs, and it in the end made them a stronger playoff staff.
Toronto has cruised via some bumps within the street to succeed in the playoffs. So studying to battle all 12 months and struggle for a playoff spot will solely harden them. Nonetheless, the gamers should embrace it. It may well’t be a 50 p.c buy-in. Everybody has to purchase in each night time.
Going from a fast-paced, high-flying offense to 1 that may be a little slower and extra methodical goes to take time. However as it’s in any main market, issues get blown out of proportion, and if it weren’t for the Toronto Blue Jays making the World Collection, the struggles of the Maple Leafs may be even greater information.
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