Monday night is the last time this version of the Maple Leafs will ever play at Scotiabank Arena
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
With the last game at Scotiabank Arena this season on Monday vs. Dallas it's likely going to be the last time we see this iteration of the Maple Leafs take the ice.
We're almost there guys. Two games left.
With the Dallas Stars in town for the final home game of the 2025-26 season, it's going to be one step closer to this year finally ending and the Maple Leafs can look towards enacting their brand new vision focused on data-driven analysis and a focus on a brand new style of attack.
But with this being the last home game of the season, they would love to finish strong for the fans but considering that a win might end up really messing with their future hopes — it's a really tough line to walk.
Though there is something fans should look forward to regardless while also coming to terms with the fact that is going to be the last time this iteration of the Maple Leafs ever play together.
The next GM is going to reshape this roster and some of the players wearing the Leafs sweater on Monday will never wear it again
While there's always the chance that Toronto doesn't change a thing this summer, the odds of that happening are less than slim. This team needs a direct overhaul in several spots and it'll be a lot of players' last time here.
Starting off, Morgan Rielly is going to likely be one of the first to go. He's had his run and all the credit to him for what he's dealt with over the past decade plus, but this is it. His defence is awful, his offensive game has slipped and he's nowhere near the $7.5-million salary.
That contract is going to be a bit hard to move, however there have been teams who could be interested out west such as San Jose. and even if the Maple Leafs don't end up getting a great package; the money off the books and the chance to add more speed and youth is worth it.
Then you have your veterans like Calle Jarnkrok, Max Domi, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Steven Lorentz and Brandon Carlo — all who could be on the move as well.
Jarnkrok is pretty much done in the NHL and headed back to Sweden likely once this season is over, meanwhile Domi and Lorentz should be considered as guys who need to be re-evaluated.
Domi is okay in small doses but doesn't provide enough of an overall game, and Lorentz is pretty replacement level and could be used to open up a spot for the Marlies hopefuls plus the team needs as much extra salary cap as possible; every little bit helps.
You also have names like Matias Maccelli, Nick Robertson, Simon Benoit, and Philippe Myers all who could be made expendable as well. This is a team who is going to be stripped basically top to bottom.
If you're a fan of the current iteration of the Maple Leafs, Monday night is going to be the last time you'll see this lineup ever touch the ice for Toronto again.
This era was supposed to end with a Cup parade, not a meaningless Monday night game
This was a group who was supposed to win it all. That Core Four era is dead and gone, and now all you have to look forward to is a blowout loss to the Stars to maybe improve your draft odds.
Marner is gone, Matthews is at home rehabbing an MCL tear and all credit to Nylander and Tavares but that's not a duo who can win on their own. It's the first season that the team hasn't made the playoffs and this brand new territory has been a turning point for a lot of players.
Right now, it's about focusing on the future and making sure that the guys who are expected to be here next year are able to put in strong auditions. The team needs to play their rookies and sit everyone else; you're preparing for the future and have no reason to win.
Then you're going to have Craig Berube gone and a new face behind the bench so who knows what the vibes or atmosphere is going to be come October next year. Will fans be excited? Will they be frustrated?
All we know is that tonight, they are going to see the Maple Leafs play at Scotiabank Arena for the last time this year — and the last time you'll see about half the lineup in a Leafs jersey ever again.
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Previously on Hockey Patrol