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Toronto Maple Leafs forward John Tavares (John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images)

Maple Leafs News & Rumours: Tavares, Matthews, OEL & Spoilers

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers | By The Old Prof | Last updated Apr 8, 2026 1:05 PM ET

The Toronto Maple Leafs return home to face a Washington Capitals team on Wednesday that’s still clinging to playoff life. That contrast tells you what you need to know about this game. One team is desperate. The other has already been eliminated from the postseason.

Toronto has had a disappointing campaign, but there are still loose ends worth tying up properly. Their wild 7–6 overtime loss to the LA Kings on Saturday was a snapshot of the entire season. The Maple Leafs can score. But defending has been optional, and it’s cost them.

Still, even in a lost season, there are signs of life. Habits are forming, roles are being clarified, and standards are being set. And that brings us to a few things worth watching as the team stumbles toward the finish line.

Item One: John Tavares Is Still Showing Everyone How It’s Done

If you’re looking for a reason to keep watching these games, start with John Tavares. Seven points in his last three games. Another 30-goal season—his eighth. But it’s not just the production. It’s how he’s leading the team without drifting into mediocrity or the acceptance of meaningless games. Tavares is playing like the standings still matter, and that’s a reason to appreciate him.

That kind of example carries weight. Young players like Matthew Knies are watching and following. They’re seeing what it looks like to prepare, compete, and produce when it would be easy to coast. Players notice who shows up when it doesn’t count.

That’s how a culture gets rebuilt in the Maple Leafs’ case—it starts with habits. Tavares is giving the team something solid to hang onto right now: high standards. No yelling, no throwing teammates under the bus—just showing up and doing it right. For a team that’s been loose in too many areas, that kind of example matters. Watch and do. That’s how you build a team that cares.

Item Two: The Quiet Around Auston Matthews Is Getting Louder

Now, here’s where things get a little more complicated. With general manager Brad Treliving out and the organization staring at a reset—or call it what you will—the biggest question isn’t about systems or depth or even goaltending. It’s about Auston Matthews.

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews (Bob Frid-Imagn Images)

Matthews has two years left on his contract. He’s the franchise’s centrepiece. He’s the player everything is built around. Yet, lately, there’s been a whole lot of silence. That’s not entirely surprising, given that he’s never been the most vocal player. But in this moment, his silence is echoing.

You can bet that whoever steps in as the next general manager will start in the same place. Where does Matthews stand? This should be the biggest behind-closed-doors conversation between now and next season. It’s where the direction of the team will be decided.

Because here’s the truth that I’ve been watching for nine seasons of covering the Maple Leafs: star players drive organizations. If Matthews is all-in, the Maple Leafs have a foundation. If he’s hesitant, things become less certain. That’s just how the NHL works now, and that’s the same dynamic you saw with the New England Patriots and Tom Brady, or the Los Angeles Lakers and LeBron James.

Item Three: Oliver Ekman-Larsson Earns Recognition the Right Way

In a season where positives have been harder to come by, Oliver Ekman-Larsson’s year deserves a proper nod. His nomination for the Bill Masterton Trophy isn’t about flash. It’s about something a little more old-fashioned: showing up, doing the work, and doing it well. Night after night.

Eight goals, 38 points, steady minutes in all situations. But more than that, he’s been reliable on a blue line that hasn’t always inspired confidence. When things have wobbled—and they have, often—Ekman-Larsson has been one of the few constants.

Colorado Avalanche forward Brock Nelson (11) and Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson (95) look for the puck during the second period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

Consider this: he’s missed just four games. In a season when consistency has been elusive, his has been almost stubborn. It’s fitting that he’s gained this recognition while the Maple Leafs have lacked identity. Ekman-Larsson has quietly modelled professionalism, resilience, and a willingness to stick it out even when things aren’t going their way. I can’t believe there was any thought of trading him.

What’s Next for the Maple Leafs? Playing the Spoiler

The Capitals are coming in desperate. Their season depends on them winning. And that urgency has a way of sharpening teams—at least it should. Toronto doesn’t share that urgency. Not in the standings, anyway.

I honestly don’t know which version of the Maple Leafs will show up, and that uncertainty is part of the opportunity. This is where choice comes in. Not systems, not talent, not even roster construction—choice. Do they want to be a team that shrugs its way through meaningless games, or one that uses them as a proving ground?

Because there are reasons to choose the harder path. Pride is one. Standards are another. Sooner or later, every team decides what it wants to be. We’re about to find out what this one chooses.