Maple Leafs’ New Formula: Strong Bottom Six, Weaker Top Six?

Last season, the Toronto Maple Leafs were all about “aces and spaces.” The top players carried the team, while the lower-end players struggled to keep up. That left a big gap, especially in the bottom six, and it showed in the playoffs.

Do the Maple Leafs Finally Have a Bottom Six That Actually Matters?

This season is different. Toronto has some fresh, hungry players in the bottom six—Dakota Joshua, Nicolas Roy, Matias Maccelli, and even Scott Laughton, who quietly does a ton of work. These guys aren’t just fillers; they bring energy, versatility, and some scoring touch. The team’s depth is way better than it’s been in years, which changes how the Leafs might approach games and the grind of the playoffs.

Is It OK that the Maple Leafs’ Top Six Is a Bit of a Question Mark?

At the same time, the top six might not be as dominant. Unless someone like Easton Cowan breaks through, Toronto could be leaning on Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and maybe a few others to carry more weight. The stars are still there, but it’s not the overwhelming powerhouse it was last season.

Could the New Lineup Balance Be the Secret Formula?

Maybe the Maple Leafs don’t need a stacked top six this year. A deeper, tougher, more balanced lineup—with a bottom six that can forecheck, kill penalties, and chip in offensively—could be the ticket. The team could ride that depth all the way through the postseason while managing the ice time of the stars. It’s a totally different look, and it might just be the formula they’ve been missing.