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Brandon Carlo, Toronto Maple Leafs (Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images)

Maple Leafs’ 2025–26 Season: Real Progress or Just Another False Dawn?

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers | By The Old Prof | Last updated Sep 9, 2025 2:50 PM ET

Every new hockey season brings a fresh wave of excitement. Fans dust off their jerseys, circle dates on the calendar, and start imagining how things might unfold. For the Toronto Maple Leafs, the mood heading into 2025–26 feels different—more balanced, more seasoned, and, dare I say, more optimistic.

But Maple Leafs fans (perhaps more than others) know optimism is a dangerous game. For every reason to believe this could be the year, there are just as many reasons to keep expectations in check.

Reasons Maple Leafs Fans Should Be Optimistic

On the positive side, the roster has added depth, size, and grit compared to recent seasons. Newcomers Nicolas Roy and Dakota Joshua strengthen the middle six, providing a more balanced lineup that doesn’t rely solely on a single line or a few stars. That balance matters when the schedule grinds on and games start to pile up.

With head coach Craig Berube entering his second season, the players have buy-in for the system, and continuity should translate into steadier execution under pressure. New acquisitions also fit the team’s style, which should shorten the learning curve and help chemistry develop quickly.

Growth and Possible Key Maple Leafs Contributors

There are individual names to watch as well. Brandon Carlo, with another year of experience in the blue and white, looks ready to take on a bigger role, while younger players continue to mature. The core remains strong, and with the right supporting pieces, the ingredients for something remarkable are there.

At the same time, the “ifs” are real: Auston Matthews taking on more leadership, new signings fitting in, Anthony Stolarz staying healthy, Matthew Knies making progress, Morgan Rielly rediscovering his offensive spark, and the duo of Matthews and William Nylander combining for big numbers. That’s a lot to line up, and history reminds fans that injuries and inconsistency are always a factor.

Still, there’s a sense this season is different. The roster improvements were deliberate, the coaching staff is stable, and the depth on paper looks stronger. Optimism isn’t blind faith—it’s rooted in tangible changes that could finally pay off. Whether everything clicks perfectly or only partially, Maple Leafs fans will be along for the ride, ready to cheer, debate, and occasionally groan. That’s the fun of it: hope makes the wait for puck drop even more exciting.

The Skeptical View of the Maple Leafs’ Season

And then there’s the elephant in the room—Mitch Marner’s departure to the Vegas Golden Knights. Replacing a player of his skill and playmaking ability isn’t simple, and it raises questions about how the offense will adjust.

It’s also true that recent history hasn’t been kind. Playoff disappointments and inconsistency have left scars. Some fans understandably see this season as one more chance for the team to prove it can put everything together. Skepticism becomes a defense mechanism—better to expect little and be pleasantly surprised than to buy in and get crushed again.

Still, there’s something different in the air this season. Even those cautious voices admit that the roster’s depth looks stronger on paper. The balance and grit that have been added weren’t afterthoughts; they were deliberate choices. The coaching staff has stability now, and stability in hockey often translates into consistency on the ice.

You don’t have to squint too hard to see a team that could make noise if things break the right way. And maybe that’s what makes this season intriguing. Both sides of the debate—the optimists and the skeptics—have valid points.

With the Maple Leafs in 2025-26, Will Hope Meet Reality?

There’s no guarantee this will be the breakthrough season, but there are real reasons to believe it could be better than the last. The truth, as usual, will be somewhere in the middle.

For fans, the coming season boils down to perspective. If you focus on the roster improvements, the coach’s influence, and the addition of strong middle-six forwards, there’s every reason to be excited. This group has the tools to compete, and the optimism isn’t just blind faith—it’s rooted in tangible changes that could finally pay off.

On the other hand, if you’ve been around long enough, you know not to get too far ahead of yourself. Hockey seasons are long, unpredictable, and rarely play out the way we imagine in September. Maybe all the “ifs” will line up perfectly; perhaps only half of them will.

Optimism might not guarantee success, but it sure makes the wait for puck drop a lot more exciting.