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Matthew Knies of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates with William Nylander #88 after scoring the game winning goal against the Boston Bruins to win the game 2-1 in overtime of Game Five of the First Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Maple Leafs News & Rumours: A Charlie Brown Summer, Knies Contract Issues & a Marchand Surprise

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers | By The Old Prof | Last updated Jun 21, 2025 9:45 AM ET

As the NHL offseason heats up, the Toronto Maple Leafs are again at the center of attention, though not always for the reasons fans might hope. With difficult contract decisions looming, whispers of a cultural reset, and even the ghost of Brad Marchand making headlines, it’s clear this won’t be a quiet summer in Toronto.

Here’s a look at three stories shaping the conversation around the Maple Leafs.

Item One: Appreciating Maple Leafs Fans: Charlie Brown and the Human Condition

If they don’t already, there’s a reason Maple Leafs fans should identify with Charlie Brown. Like Charlie Brown, Maple Leafs fans never stop hoping, never stop trying, and somehow always end up flat on their backs—usually because Lucy has yanked the football away again. [For those who might not know the cartoon, check this link.]

That’s what it’s felt like for decades in Toronto. Whether it was Harold Ballard’s dysfunctional ownership, playoff collapses, or this recent era of high expectations and hard exits, being a Maple Leafs fan has often meant believing anyway. Hoping this time will be different—even when you know how the story probably ends.

Charles Schulz, the Peanuts creator in 1950, understood something essential about the human condition. He created a lovable character that exemplified a mix of loyalty, futility, and longing. He gave that personality to Charlie Brown. Maple Leafs fans have since lived it for generations. But here’s the thing—Charlie Brown always gets up again. So do Maple Leafs fans.

As the team searched for a new “DNA,” I realized this week that the fans’ DNA hadn’t changed for many seasons. Here’s my hat off to Maple Leafs fans who, no matter what they say, “season after season they just keep on believing.” [That should be part of a Maple Leafs fan’s theme song, because it’s already a part of their real identity.]

Item Two: Knies Negotiations Hit a Snag as Maple Leafs Prioritize Core Decisions

While most of the spotlight remains on the futures of Mitch Marner and John Tavares, another contract situation is quietly unfolding. According to Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos, the Maple Leafs and pending restricted free agent Matthew Knies are currently far apart in negotiations. Knies, who scored 29 goals in just his second NHL season, is reportedly seeking a major payday that management may be hesitant to offer.

Kypreos hinted this might reflect a broader shift in front-office philosophy—a move away from the Dubas-era practice of locking in young stars early with long-term deals. That’s a gamble, especially given how central Knies is to Toronto’s long-term plans.

Leafs Morning Take host Nick Alberga echoed the sentiment, writing that while the sides remain “optimistic,” they are “far apart” as July 1 approaches. With other major decisions still pending, the Knies situation could be a forerunner for how new general manager Brad Treliving plans to manage the team’s evolving identity.

Item Three: Kypreos Reports that Marchand Signing “Feels Inevitable”

Could Toronto welcome one of its most hated rivals into the fold? Kypreos thinks so. On Leafs Morning Take, he labeled the Maple Leafs as the “heavy front-runners” to sign Brad Marchand. He cited the veteran’s desire to make up for years of being underpaid in Boston, and Toronto’s unique ability to pay him what he’s worth now.

Marchand, now 37, remains a force in big games. He scored 10 goals and collected 20 points in 23 playoff games during the Florida Panthers’ Cup run this spring, adding to the heartbreak he’s already delivered to Toronto fans over the years. But his resume is undeniable, and if the Maple Leafs want to change their DNA, few players offer more bite, swagger, and postseason credibility.

It would be a controversial signing, no doubt. But it also might be the kind of uncomfortable move this franchise needs to overcome its long-standing mental and cultural barriers.

What’s Next for the Maple Leafs?

For those who read and/or participate in The Hockey Writers‘ discussion sections, it’s pretty clear that the fanbase’s emotional tone is between worn-down realism and cautious hope. As the draft and free agency near, the Maple Leafs find themselves trying to retool without starting from scratch. The futures of Marner, Tavares, Knies, and maybe even Marchand could reshape the team’s identity in the months ahead.

One thing’s clear: Maple Leafs fans might feel like Charlie Brown, but they keep showing up. This summer, they’ll be watching—hoping—once again.