The Toronto Maple Leafs are experiencing unfamiliar territory this season, finding themselves in last place in the Eastern Conference—a position that feels particularly jarring for core players Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and Morgan Rielly after nine consecutive playoff appearances together.
From Playoff Regulars to Bottom Dwellers
For nearly a decade, this trio has been the foundation of a Maple Leafs team that averaged 104 points per season and rarely faced the threat of missing postseason action. Their consistent regular season success, however, was often overshadowed by early playoff exits that left fans wanting more.
Now in their tenth season together, the entire structure appears to be collapsing. The Leafs sit at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings—a dramatic fall for a team that finished first in the Atlantic Division just last season under coach Craig Berube.
Systemic Problems Plague the Roster
The team's struggles appear fundamental rather than superficial. They look old, big, and slow simultaneously—a combination that proves disastrous in today's fast-paced NHL. At times, players seem frozen on the ice, resembling contestants struggling to find answers on a game show.
The challenges ahead appear daunting. Toronto faces five consecutive road games against Eastern Conference opponents who all sit above them in the standings. Following that difficult stretch, they return home to confront a murderer's row of elite talent including Nikita Kucherov, Macklin Celebrini, Connor McDavid, Connor Bedard, and Sidney Crosby.
General Manager Brad Treliving's offseason moves have largely failed to deliver the intended impact. Key acquisitions Nicolas Roy, Dakota Joshua, and Matias Macchelli were brought in to provide depth, but none have significantly contributed to turning the team's fortunes.
Leadership and Performance Questions Abound
Captain Auston Matthews faces perhaps his greatest leadership test yet. Currently dealing with a mystery injury but expected to return for Wednesday's game in Columbus, the Leafs need their superstar to elevate his game and leadership to Superman levels.
Using former GM Cliff Fletcher's performance evaluation method—categorizing players as above, at, or below expectations—reveals the depth of Toronto's problems. Only John Tavares and Oliver Ekman-Larsson consistently exceed expectations, while approximately 12 players perform below expected levels.
The below-expectations list includes concerning names: Matthews himself, injured goaltender Anthony Stolarz, Morgan Rielly, the injured Brandon Carlo, Chris Tanev before his injury, Jake McCabe, and Simon Benoit. Upfront, the struggling group includes Roy, Joshua, Max Domi, Calle Jarnkrok, and Bobby McMann.
Playoff Math Looks Daunting
Historical data suggests the path to postseason hockey will require near-heroic efforts. Over the past nine years, the eighth-place team in the Eastern Conference needed an average of 94 points to qualify for the playoffs.
With 60 games remaining, Toronto would need to go approximately 37-23 to reach the playoff threshold—a tall order for a team that has shown few signs of being capable of such a turnaround.
While the Leafs still boast an impressive top-four forward group featuring Matthews, Nylander, Tavares, and Matthew Knies, modern NHL success requires more than star power. Championship teams need 10 to 15 players performing cohesively—something Toronto has consistently failed to demonstrate this season.
The team has looked particularly vulnerable against opponents who attack with speed and make vertical passes, exposing fundamental flaws in their defensive structure and positioning.
Through 22 games, this has been a lost season for a franchise accustomed to regular-season success. For the core players who have known nothing but playoff hockey during their time in Toronto, last place represents uncharted—and deeply troubling—territory as the walls appear to be tumbling down around them.
