Why the Maple Leafs suddenly look old and slow next to real contenders

Toronto is dealing with the challenges of a roster hammered with injuries, but on the ice, one key area that has emerged is the Leafs skating speed.

NHL EDGE stats, with tracks skating, has the Leafs overall in the top 10 of maximum skating speed with 37.77km/h, above the league average of 37.54.

But what is the concern for Toronto is the amount of consistent speed. The Leafs rank 28th in bursts between 32-35km/h with 325, and 26th in 29-32kmh bursts with 1,712.

Notable as well is the Leafs are top 10 in neutral zone ice time, which shows that they're keeping the puck in centre ice, but 29th in the offensive zone and 26th in the defensive zone, suggesting most of the Leafs game is being trapped down the middle.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have one of the heaviest teams in the NHL at 207lbs, and have an aging group that is ripe for the conditions that make a slow team look even slower.

Compared to the Atlantic leading Bruins, Toronto has more overall speed, but with less overall bursts, meaning that Boston is gaining more rush plays.

Much of the Leafs non-top players are not showing top-level skating speed, weighing down the rest of the Leafs roster in terms of overall mobility.

One noticeable drop off in skating speed is Leafs captain Auston Matthews. According to his NHL EDGE stats, Matthews had gone from a maximum skating speed of 36.16km/h in 2023-24 to 34.72 this season.

Having suffered from injuries, Matthews has looked noticeably slower, and the data is backing that up. Notably, last season, Matthews peaked at 36.22km/h, meaning his top speed has lessened from even last year.

Matthews top speed is lower than the league average of 35.17km/h, meaning that he's slower than the average NHL forward.

Currently injured again, there is a real concern over how a second absence due to an injury problem in two seasons might further impact Matthews' skating ability.

The Leafs last season had an average speed of 38.10km/h compared to 37.78 this season, meaning the overall team is slower.

One more notable factor that may be the most defining issue for Toronto is ice covered, down from a game average last season of 79.89km to 75.92 this season.

However, with the second most goals allowed in the NHL with 72, the Leafs aren't making up for their lack of quickness with a shutdown defensive game that can outbully faster opponents.

The inability to play as neither a fast or bruising team is costing the Leafs, and putting more pressure on Toronto's goaltending and goalscorers to do more when the defense isn't shutting plays down.

A slower, older, and less physically imposing Leafs have been a big part in Toronto's recipe for disaster, and with the roster not getting any younger, measures may need to be taken to get the team stronger and faster.