The Toronto Maple Leafs came into 2025 with a new identity and a new mentality after moving on from Mitch Marner and the 'Core Four' era into one that is built on balance, teamwork, and most of all; passion.
Newcomers like Nicolas Roy, Dakota Joshua and Matias Maccelli are all going to be huge factors at both ends of the ice, and the team is looking to have a bounce back year from stars like Auston Matthews and Morgan Rielly.
But they need to get off on the right foot and the chemistry has to grow quickly, especially since the dynamic has changed so much from the 'Core Four' to the 'Whole Team'.
However, some around the NHL are excited about what the team has to offer, and stressed the team needs to patient because what they have built is potentially something very special.
The NHL Network's Mike Rupp was very complimentary towards the new club; a rarity considering he seems to undervalue the Maple Leafs at times:
"What’s different about this team for me is they have specialty players, and I think Craig Berube, because he was a specialty player when he played, he’s going to realize, if I empower these guys, they can take some of the onus off the (top line) guys and that will pay its dues come playoff time, and that’s when you need it to happen.
I think this is the best forward group to win in April, May and June that the Leafs have had in quite some time."
Ryan Whitney, former NHL player and co-host of the Spittin' Chiclets podcast alongside diehard Maple Leafs fan and former NHL player Paul Bissonnette also believes that the team could surprise many with how deep and balanced they are:
"I think the bet of the year in NHL futures on DraftKings is the Toronto Maple Leafs over 99-and-a-half points. I think they’re an absolute wagon. And I don’t even hate the 19-to-1 odds to win the Stanley Cup when you’re talking about value. It’s a hell of a squad."
Brian Boyle, a long-time rival of the Maple Leafs and co-host with Rupp, has stressed that this isn't the team we've seen in years past and that while the first half might be a bit unusual to fans; the end is going to look very strong:
"This is a different Toronto Maple Leafs team. They wanted to change their DNA; they realized they had a ton of ability, but they couldn’t get over the hump with how it was constructed, so they made changes.
As constructed, I like this team a little bit less in October, November, December; but I like them a lot more in February, March, April."
"I like this team a little bit less in October, November, December, but I like them a little bit more in February, March, April." - @BriBrows22
— NHL Media (@NHLMedia) October 7, 2025
Are the new-look @MapleLeafs poised for a deep playoff run next spring? 🤷♂️ #NHLFaceOff pic.twitter.com/D7P4dPRc0V
The onus around the league is that the Toronto Maple Leafs may have lost some star power with Mitch Marner heading to Vegas, but they have built a team that is better suited for the postseason and the long-haul instead of pure regular season dominance.
While it may be hard for fans to see their beloved team lack that overpowering factor as they had last season, but through a collective effort and a brand new mindset it could be enough to push them past the second round.