Expectations for the each Toronto Maple Leafs forward heading into 2025-26

As always, expectations are sky high for the Toronto Maple Leafs, and everyone in the organization has their sights set on breaking the 58-year-long Stanley Cup drought and bringing a ring back to Toronto for the first time since 1967. However, things are looking a little different for the Leafs this season.

After the Core Four experiment didn’t work out the way that many fans and experts thought it would, they’re now forced to pivot their identity, which we saw glimpses of last season. With offseason additions such as Nic Roy, Dakota Joshua, Mattias Maccelli, and Michael Pazzetta, it’ll be interesting to see if the Leafs take a step back this season as part of their new identity.

Many fans believe the Leafs will improve without Mitch Marner, a view I’ve expressed my disagreement with multiple times. From 2016–25, the speedy winger had 741 points (221 goals, 520 assists) in 657 games, including finishing fifth in NHL scoring last season with a team-high 102 points (27 goals, 75 assists) in 81 games. So, with the absence of Marner, the Leafs could take a step back offensively.

With training camp starting up this week, we’ll get a better glimpse of what the Leafs may look like this season. For now, all we can do is speculate and predict. Here are some things I think you can expect from the Leafs forward core this season. For these predictions, I will be using the Leafs’ line combinations according to Daily Faceoff.

First Line: Knies – Matthews – Maccelli

Matthews

Auston Matthews will obviously be relied on to drive the bus offensively. He is reportedly fully healthy entering this season, which is very intriguing if you’re a Leaf fan. Matthews was one of the Leafs best players last season with 78 points in just 67 games. Matthews will face significant pressure this season, not only because he’s yet to lead Toronto to the promised land, but also because of how he will perform without Marner.

If Matthews can stay healthy, he’s going to have a big year. I’m thinking at least 50 goals from Matthews this season. One aspect of Matthews’ game that’s undervalued is his defensive play. He’s going to be matched up with the opponent’s top line more often than not, so he will be trusted to contribute on both sides of the ice.

Knies

Matthew Knies just signed a seven-year extension with the Leafs this summer. Expectations are high for him as well, to prove that General Manager Brad Treliving made a good investment in him. He’s cemented himself as one of the Leafs best players and one of the best power forwards in the NHL. He will have to prove that he’s more than just the guy who plays with Matthews, and I think he will. I’m expecting a 30-goal season from Knies and maybe even earning himself a spot on Team USA for the Olympics in February.

Maccelli

Mattias Maccelli is someone whose expectations are often unclear. West Coast bias is a real thing, but I think he’s due for a breakout season in Toronto. He showed flashes of offensive ability in Arizona and Utah, but this is an opportunity for him to develop into a major difference maker on a contending team. At 24 years old, Maccelli is entering the prime of his career, and I think he’ll have a career year alongside Knies and Matthews this season. I’m predicting a career high in goals and points this season from Maccelli. I think he will surprise some people.

Second Line: Domi – Tavares – Nylander

Nylander

I’ve said this before, but I think William Nylander is the best player on the Leafs roster. However, he’s been overshadowed by Matthews and Marner in the past. With Marner gone, the Leafs will have a hole offensively, and Nylander will fill it. He’s unbelievably skilled, and the lights are never too bright for him. Everyone talks about the pressures of playing in a Canadian market, especially in Toronto. Nylander seems to always overcome it and come through in the big moments.

Last season, he had 84 points. I’m expecting a lot more out of Nylander this season. The top line will be matched against Matthews, which will let Nylander run free and fill up the scoresheet.

Tavares

John Tavares is coming off a 38-goal season and took a pay cut compared to his previous contract. However, he turns 35 this month, and a decline in his ability will start as he continues to get older. Having said that, I don’t think we’ll necessarily see him fall off the face of the earth, but if I were you, I wouldn’t expect another 70-point season from Tavares. I’m thinking more of a 50–60 point season from him, but I’d be more than willing to eat my words if he proves me wrong.

Domi

Max Domi will bring some much-needed physicality to the second line. It’ll be interesting to see if he can handle having a bigger role and have a bounce-back season. Nationnation said they see him taking on a Darcy Tucker-type role, where he would become an agitator and also put up points. I’d say that’d be the best-case scenario for Domi and the Leafs. Will he be able to stir the pot a little bit and bait the other team into taking some penalties?

Third Line: Joshua – Roy – McMann

Roy

Nic Roy was traded from the Vegas Golden Knights as part of the Marner trade, which was surprising that the Leafs pulled it off, considering Marner was likely leaving regardless. Roy adds some depth to the Leafs’ bottom-six, which has been a major problem in past years. He brings size, strength, and a defensive mindset, which will fit well with Craig Berube’s coaching style. He won’t put up a ton of points, but he will anchor this third line on both sides of the ice.

Joshua

Dakota Joshua, another offseason addition, may be viewed as just another bottom-six guy. However, come playoff time, he will be much more than that. He proved in the 2024 playoffs with Vancouver that he can be a major difference maker in big games because of his relentless work ethic and his knack for chipping in with timely goals. Having him and Roy on the third line will give the Leafs some much-needed offensive depth. Last season, he only had 14 points but missed time due to testicular cancer. Joshua will be very tough to play against for opposing teams.

McMann

Bobby McMann is coming off a 20-goal season last year and is entering the final year of his contract, worth $1.3M per year. Players tend to work a little bit harder if they aren’t guaranteed a contract for the following year, or if they feel they’re worthy of getting a raise. The bottom-six is going to be a lot different this season, and I think a lot more effective than in years past. I can see McMann taking a step forward and possibly putting up another 15–20 goals this season.

Fourth Line: Lorentz – Laughton – Jarnkrok

This line won’t put up a bunch of points, but they will grind down the opponent physically while chipping in with some timely goals. I think both bottom-six lines will be very similar in that regard. The fourth line was very impressive throughout the playoffs last season, and will be looking to build on it.

Lorentz

Lorentz signed a three-year extension last summer at $1.35M per year. Consistency is a big thing with Lorentz, and fans are excited to see how the Leafs’ investment in him pays off. He only had 19 points last season, but had 199 hits. We can expect more of that play style going into this year.

Laughton

Scott Laughton was acquired from the Philadelphia Flyers at the trade deadline last season. He had 31 points in 80 games and has earned the trust of coach Berube. I think we can expect Laughton to put up more points this season with the Leafs. Last season, he didn’t make the greatest first impression. He didn’t play very well, but redeemed himself in the playoffs. The Leafs want a playoff-style mentality, and Laughton will be trusted, potentially with more minutes this season.

Jarnkrok

Callie Jarnkrok is expected to score more points than Lorentz and Laughton. However, each line has its own role and identity, or purpose, in order to be successful.

A new roster

We can speculate all we want, but we know about as much as the players do about how this season will go. The Leafs will likely make the playoffs, but beyond that, we’ll have to wait and see. A lot can happen in 82 games.