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NHL Analyst Unloads on Maple Leafs’ 'Massive Failure'

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Jul 12, 2025 7:45 AM ET

The Toronto Maple Leafs have endured vast changes this offseason, if only because of the exit of Mitch Marner on the verge of free agency.

According to NHL analyst Matt Larkin, not only have the Leafs changed their DNA, but they have done so for the worse. So much so that Larkin called the franchise's offseason “a massive failure” in a blunt assessment written over Daily Faceoff on Thursday.

“Matias Maccelli and Nicolas Roy were savvy additions,” Larkin wrote, “but don’t come close to replacing Marner’s production.

“Now the Leafs’ top-end scoring will largely depend on Auston Matthews fighting off (a) chronic injury, while they’ll hope John Tavares can repeat a 38-goal season at 35 years old.”

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Larkin argued that the Maple Leafs' front office, led by general manager Brad Treliving, has failed to address the franchise’s biggest issue following Marner's departure: elite scoring from the wing.

Without Marner, Toronto will face an uphill battle in an increasingly competitive Atlantic Division. In Larkin's eyes, the additions of Maccelli via free agency and Roy in Marner's sign-and-trade with Vegas aren't enough.

"If I’m placing a bet, I still have the Leafs making the playoffs next season – calm down – but they may slide back in a highly competitive Atlantic Division," Larkin wrote.

Larkin went further and didn’t hold back on Toronto’s overall roster outlook either, questioning the club’s defensive identity, adding that its mid-tier metrics last season were masked by strong goaltending from Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll.

“If they don’t add another top-six forward by any means necessary between now and October,” Larkin wrote, “GM Brad Treliving’s offseason is a massive failure.”

The Leafs still have $5.3 million in cap space while Treliving has made clear the franchise is still trying to add a top-six forward to its roster throughout the remainder of the offseason.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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