The Toronto Maple Leafs' journey through the first half of the 2025-26 NHL season stands in stark contrast to their dominant performance a year ago. As the club hits the 41-game mark, the atmosphere is one of uncertainty rather than celebration, with a playoff berth far from guaranteed.
A Season of Struggle and Scrutiny
This time last season, the Leafs were perched atop the Atlantic Division with 54 points. They would eventually win the division before a second-round playoff exit. The current picture is dramatically different. Through games played on Saturday, the team held a record of 19-15-7 for 45 points, sitting outside the playoff cutoff and one of seven Eastern Conference teams clustered between 45 and 46 points. Toronto has not held a playoff position since November 7th, setting the stage for a tense second-half battle.
Front Office and Coaching Under the Microscope
General Manager Brad Treliving receives a middling grade for an off-season that has yet to pay significant dividends. Key additions like forwards Nicolas Roy, Matias Maccelli, and Dakota Joshua have not made the anticipated impact, though the waiver claim of defenceman Troy Stecher in mid-November has been a bright spot.
Behind the bench, Coach Craig Berube faces intense pressure. While the team has recently gathered points with a 4-0-2 run, systemic issues remain. The Leafs have allowed 100 goals at five-on-five, a defensive lapse bettered only by the St. Louis Blues. Berube's frequent line juggling and the continued struggles of a power play that cost assistant coach Marc Savard his job in December keep his seat warm.
Player Performance Report Card
In Goal: The crease presents a mixed bag. Joseph Woll has been solid since his late start, posting a .912 save percentage. Dennis Hildeby has impressed in limited action with a .914 save percentage. The major concern is Anthony Stolarz, who struggled to an .884 save percentage before an upper-body injury, casting doubt on his new four-year contract.
On Defence: The blue line is a story of extremes. Jake McCabe has been a warrior, playing every game, blocking a league-tying 104 shots, and driving an effective penalty kill. In contrast, veterans Morgan Rielly and Oliver Ekman-Larsson have been on the ice for a concerning number of five-on-five goals against. The injury-plagued Chris Tanev has been limited to just 11 games, while the energetic Stecher has been a revelation since his arrival.
Up Front: The forward corps shows flashes of brilliance mired in inconsistency. Auston Matthews recently passed Mats Sundin for the franchise goal-scoring record and is on a hot streak, but his first 31 games were unusually quiet. William Nylander leads the team in scoring but is currently injured after a season of highs and lows. John Tavares started strong for Team Canada Olympic consideration but cooled off. Younger players like Matthew Knies, Nick Robertson, and rookie Easton Cowan are developing, while off-season acquisitions have provided only modest returns.
The Road Ahead to the Playoffs
The second half of the season presents a clear and difficult challenge for the Maple Leafs: claw their way into the postseason. With the Eastern Conference standings tightly packed, every game becomes critical. The team must find consistency in its defensive structure, receive more from its marquee players, and hope for health in key positions. The mid-term grades reflect a team that has underperformed relative to its expectations and salary cap investment. Whether they can improve these marks by April will determine if their season extends beyond the regular schedule.
