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Easton Cowan, Toronto Maple Leafs (David Kirouac-Imagn Images)

Maple Leafs News & Rumours: Patience, Prospects & Confident Play

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers | By The Old Prof | Last updated Oct 11, 2025 9:25 AM ET

The Toronto Maple Leafs’ season has barely begun, and already the storylines are coming fast. That’s life in this hockey market — one game, one rumour, one good (or bad) shift, and suddenly the conversation turns. While the new-look roster under Craig Berube is still finding its footing, there’s a feeling that the Maple Leafs are walking a fine line between old temptations and new priorities. Patience is the theme of the moment — whether that means holding onto young talent, trusting the process with prospects, or giving new players the confidence to grow into their roles.

And yet, for a team that’s lived under the microscope for years, patience doesn’t come naturally. Elliotte Friedman’s speculation linking the Maple Leafs to Filip Forsberg was a reminder of how quickly the “win-now” instinct can flare up. But as Berube and general manager (GM) Brad Treliving keep stressing, this is a different Maple Leafs team — one built to last.

Below, I will examine three storylines that reveal the team’s current standing as Week 1 transitions into Week 2.

Item One: Trading a Prospect for Filip Forsberg Would Be the Wrong Move for the Maple Leafs

There’s no denying Filip Forsberg’s appeal. He’s the kind of player you win with — strong on the puck, fearless in traffic, and deadly when it matters. In 780 NHL games, he’s scored 318 goals, piled up 681 points, and thrown more than 1,000 hits. He’s a proven playoff performer with 59 points in 81 postseason games. On paper, he checks every box the Maple Leafs lost when Mitch Marner left for Vegas.

But as Elliotte Friedman reported, any move for Forsberg would come at a steep cost — and that’s where things start to unravel. The talk is still speculative, but it’s easy to see how the scenario plays out: Toronto sends one of its prized young players, maybe Easton Cowan or Ben Danford, to Nashville to make it happen. And that’s the kind of trade this team shouldn’t make. Forsberg is 31 and carries a big contract. The Maple Leafs have spent years trying to build a core that isn’t just talented, but sustainable. Giving up part of that future for one more big name feels like chasing the same short-term fix that’s burned them before.

If this new era under Berube and Treliving is truly about balance and long-term identity, then resisting temptation might be the biggest test of all—Forsberg’s a fine player. But the Maple Leafs’ smarter move is sticking with their plan — not blowing it up for another flash of star power.

Item Two: Easton Cowan Waiting for Maple Leafs’ Forward Situation to Settle

Training camp might be over, but the auditions haven’t stopped. The Maple Leafs’ forward group is still very much in flux. After a choppy opening game marked by sloppy breakouts and uneven play, Berube kept most of his forwards on short leashes. Only Matthews, Nylander, Tavares, and Knies topped 16 minutes of ice time — a clear sign that the coach is still figuring out who fits where.

Enter Cowan. The 19-year-old continues to impress everyone who watches him, from management to fans who see flashes of future leadership. Treliving called him “right there” in terms of NHL readiness, and Berube agrees: “Watching Cowan from junior to now, he’s got a motor on him. I do believe in time, he can get there.” For now, though, Cowan waits. He’s on the sidelines as the Maple Leafs head to Detroit, knowing that the moment one veteran falters, opportunity will knock. His attitude is simple: “I’m just gonna keep the pedal down,” he said.

That’s a mature approach — and what Toronto needs from its next wave. Cowan’s time is coming, maybe sooner than anyone expects. When it does, he’ll be ready to seize it.

Item Three: Berube Urges Maccelli to Play with Confidence as Line Shuffles Continue

Another new face trying to find his place is Matias Maccelli. Acquired this summer in the trade with the Utah Mammoth, Maccelli’s first few weeks as a Maple Leaf have been unsettled. He’s bounced from line to line — first with Matthews and Knies, then down with Dakota Joshua and Nicolas Roy — as injuries forced Berube’s hand. That kind of movement can throw any player off, especially one trying to replace a star like Marner.

Berube’s message to Maccelli was short and to the point: “He’s a good player, he’s got abilities — so just play with that confidence. Use your skill set.” Maccelli echoed the same sentiment after practice: “We got the job done and got the points… Still early, first game, so we’re working on it.” Toronto doesn’t need him to be Marner — they need him to be Maccelli, the creative, hard-working winger who once earned Calder Trophy votes in Arizona. If he can find that version of himself again, he could be one of this season’s success stories.

What’s Next for the Maple Leafs?

The Maple Leafs head into Detroit with questions still swirling. Will Berube’s system settle? Can Maccelli find his confidence and chemistry? And when will Cowan finally crack the lineup? These are the kind of small but telling stories that shape a season early on. Toronto’s front office seems committed to patience — a refreshing change — but patience only lasts as long as the wins keep coming.

If there’s one takeaway from this week, it’s that the Maple Leafs are walking a tightrope between past habits and future promise. Whether they stay balanced will define how this season unfolds.