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Chris Pronger Names Missing ‘Catalyst’ Amid Maple Leafs' Struggles

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Abhilasha Aditi | Last updated Mar 17, 2026 7:06 AM ET

After Auston Matthew’s injury, the chances of the Toronto Maple Leafs making it to the playoffs have dropped further. William Nylander, John Tavares, and Matthew Knies still carry offensive potential, but another forward’s presence is missed.

Former NHL defenseman Chris Pronger believes the team’s struggles are linked directly to the absence of a key offensive piece. Speaking on the Missin Curfew podcast, Pronger pointed to the departure of Mitch Marner as a major factor.

“Well, you're losing a hundred points,” Pronger said about Mitch Marner. “He was kind of the catalyst in the power play. A lot of offense drove through him.”

.@chrispronger talks about the impact the #LeafsForever have felt by losing Mitch Marner @DKNetwork | #DKPartner pic.twitter.com/2maAyRPxvH
— Missin Curfew (@MissinCurfew) March 16, 2026

Marner left Toronto in a sign-and-trade deal last summer, and his absence has created a clear gap. Since the start of the 2025-26 season, several analysts have pointed to Marner’s absence, and now the Leafs’ situation makes it evident.

Pronger explained that Marner played a central role in Toronto’s system. The forward helped drive offense alongside Matthews and Nylander. Without him, the Maple Leafs have struggled to maintain the same attacking flow.

“You know, do they miss him? Yes. He was a good fit,” Pronger said. “They built their roster around him and Auston and Willy… You know, I just think the style that they play, it's not - they're not committed defensively… [Now] they're not able to seal guys off quickly, get loose pucks, and then get transition and get going, because they don't defend well enough.”

Former Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner (16) before was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights in the offseason.John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

Marner was known for his two-way presence in Toronto, and sometimes even handled defensive duties along with playmaking. Now, his absence reflects the drop in the team’s performance. They hold a 29-27-12 record and sit near the bottom of the Atlantic Division.

Once a division winner, the team now faces slim playoff chances after a poor run following the Olympic break. The Maple Leafs have already shifted toward selling at the trade deadline. Management now focuses on future assets and the upcoming draft.

As the season winds down, Pronger’s assessment remains clear. Without their former catalyst, Toronto continues to search for identity and balance.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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