The Biggest Question Facing the Maple Leafs Before the Season Starts

In what was the least surprising saga that ultimately ended as most expected it to go, Mitch Marner left the Toronto Maple Leafs and was used in a sign-and-trade to the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for forward Nicolas Roy.

After trading away Marner, GM Brad Treliving expressed optimism that the Leafs would get a top-six replacement for Marner, although the prospect of a perfect Marner substitute was always a tough ask.

The Leafs did get a potential top-six winger in Matias Maccelli, the 24-year-old coming off two seasons of 49 and 57 in 2022-23 and 23-24 down to just 18 points in 2024-25.

If Maccelli can rebound, he could at least substitute some of Marner's production, but if not, the Leafs are back at square one.

Even after not signing a top forward on the first day of free agency, Treliving made clear that they were still targeting a top forward, and yet as of August, the Leafs haven't acquired that high quality asset they were coveting, with free agency not having a huge impact, and no concrete rumors in the trade front.

It doesn't seem certain if the Toronto Maple Leafs will do any more adding before the season starts, and that leads to the question as to what will be of the Leafs top-six.

Matias Maccelli cannot be expected to do what Mitch Marner does in the regular season, but the hope is more that he's the right player for a deep playoff run.

Maccelli does not have NHL playoff experience, but the hope is that he can rebound playing on the top-six and get back to be a player who can hit at least 50 points in Toronto.

It's a tough ask for Maccelli to quickly be a replacement, but he'll get every opportunity to prove that he can play on the top-six and rebound from his drop in form, though if his struggles continue, that could lead to trouble for the Leafs.

If Matias Maccelli isn't able to be the top-six option the Toronto Maple Leafs are looking for, they'll have to dig into the trade market to get a deal done.

Toronto has just under $2M in cap space heading into next season, and while they can add salary in a trade, it wouldn't be the only piece they'd have to give up for a top forward.

The Leafs lack much in terms of desirable future options, with the team not having a first round pick until 2028.

One option may be top prospect Easton Cowan, but as a player who could one day take Marner's spot on the first line at RW, it could be a risk long-term.

Even if trading Cowan is a risk, Toronto seems poised to win in the short-term and not waste their cup window, meaning Cowan could be a casualty of the Leafs needing to contend, but what will be three straight years without a first, as of right now, and no top prospects, would make the Leafs future depressingly bleak.

Right now, Brad Treliving and the Toronto Maple Leafs know they haven't entirely solved their top-six situation, at least until the team steps on the ice.

But if they want to be a cup contender for this upcoming season, they may become aggressive as the season progresses, even if it it's a sacrifice for their future.