3 Leafs Could Completely Change Team’s Look in 2026-27 – Hockey Writers – Toronto Maple Leafs

Auston Matthews, Morgan Rielly, and Sergei Bobrovsky all have reasons to resurface in 2026-27. And if it does, the Maple Leafs could look very different from last season’s disappointing team.

2025-26 Was A Maple Leaf Season To Forget

The Toronto Maple Leafs will enter the 2026-27 season hoping that last year will follow them. That’s easier said than done. After finishing first in the Atlantic Division and second in the Eastern Conference in 2024-25, the Maple Leafs took a big step back the following season. Losing Mitch Marner, making big changes in the front office, and the departure of head coach Craig Berube left the team trying to figure out what it wanted to be.

Now, with John Chayka overhauling the roster and Jim Hiller behind the bench, there is at least a sense that Toronto is trying to be a different kind of team. That does not guarantee success. But it creates an opportunity for a few players who haven’t done well, or been limited by circumstances, to have bounce-back seasons.

Here are three Leaf Maps that we believe may come together again in an important way.

Auston Matthews Finds His Offensive Freedom

If the Maple Leafs are going to get back into contention, it probably starts with Auston Matthews. He’s still one of the NHL’s top scorers, but last season didn’t feel like Matthews’ regular season. Whether it was injuries, system adjustments, or the weight of carrying too much of a load, he never looked as dominant as fans expected.

A new coaching staff may give him a better chance to get back to what he does best: create offense. Under Craig Berube, there was a strong emphasis on structure and defensive responsibility. Those things matter. But Matthews is at his best when he’s playing in the offensive zone and forcing defenders to react to him.

If Jim Hiller allows the team’s top players to play with more speed and agility, Matthews could see a significant jump in production. A healthy Matthews getting back into the 50-goal range wouldn’t be a surprise. In fact, it would be one big thing in Toronto’s season that changed so much.

The program works for Morgan Rielly

Morgan Rielly is another player who could benefit from a change in philosophy. Rielly has been at his best when involved in transition, joining the run, and creating offense from the end. When he is forced into a backup role, some of his best qualities naturally diminish.

That’s why this season feels like an opportunity for him. Chayka’s offseason moves suggest the Maple Leafs are looking for more puck movement and offensive support for the defense. If that’s any guide, Rielly should be one of the biggest beneficiaries.

He doesn’t need to be a Norris Trophy winner again for this to be considered a bounce-back season. But if he gets back to driving plays, contributing on the power play, and producing close to his offensively dominant years, Toronto’s defense will look very dangerous.

Rielly has been through enough ups and downs in Toronto that an absolute calculation would be a mistake.

Never Count Out Sergei Bobrovsky

This is the boldest prediction of the three, but it may also be the most interesting. Bobrovsky’s numbers last season were not what Toronto expected. An .877 save percentage and 3.07 goals against average are not numbers for a team-leading pitcher.

Anthony Stolarz may start the season as a safety, and the team will rely on both pitchers. Still, Bobrovsky has built a career on responding when people start doubting him. He went through periods where his game dipped, and he found his form again when the games mattered the most.

If Toronto’s defensive structure improves under Hiller, Bobrovsky may not need to make an appearance every night. He needs to be reliable enough to give the Leafs a chance to win. And if he gets another level later in the season, the conversation about Toronto’s pitching could change very quickly.

Big Maple Leaf Prediction

The real prediction here isn’t just that Matthews, Rielly, and Bobrovsky will have better seasons. It’s because the Maple Leafs themselves will look like a team moving forward rather than one trying to make up for what they lost.

Matthews can regain his offensive dominance. Rielly could be a puck-moving defenseman as well. Bobrovsky could stabilize the crease. If all three happen, Toronto won’t just be a better version of last year’s team. It will be a completely different team.

And after last season’s disappointment, that might be just what the Maple Leafs need.

[Note: I want to thank long-time Maple Leafs’ fan Stan Smith for collaborating with me on this post. Stan’s Facebook profile can be found here.]