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As the Toronto Maple Leafs prepare for the 2024-2025 NHL season, the team finds itself at a crossroads. Coming off another disappointing playoff exit, this time to the Boston Bruins in the first round, Toronto faces heightened expectations and scrutiny as they look to break their Stanley Cup drought, now stretching back to 1967. With a revamped roster, new leadership behind the bench, and star players reaching their peak years, the stakes are higher than ever.
The Maple Leafs made several notable offseason changes to address lingering weaknesses, particularly in physicality and defensive depth. Veteran head coach Craig Berube, who led the St. Louis Blues to the Stanley Cup in 2019, takes over after Sheldon Keefe was let go following another early playoff exit. Berube brings a tougher, more aggressive style of play to a team that has often been criticized for lacking the grit needed for postseason success.
Toronto’s forward corps remains centered around its "core four": Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, and John Tavares. Matthews, fresh off signing a new long-term contract extension, will once again be relied on to lead the offense after netting 69 goals last season. Marner, who reached 110 points, continues to be one of the league’s most dynamic playmakers. Nylander, playing in a contract year, will look to build on his 40-goal performance from last season, while Tavares brings veteran leadership despite showing some signs of slowing down. The team also signed Max Pacioretty on a professional tryout, hoping he can rebound from multiple injuries that limited him to just 52 games over the last two seasons
Toronto's defense has been bolstered with the addition of veterans Chris Tanev and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. Tanev, acquired from Dallas, brings a steady, stay-at-home presence, while Ekman-Larsson provides offensive flair from the back end. Morgan Rielly remains the cornerstone of the defense, with Jake McCabe and Timothy Liljegren rounding out a balanced blue line.
The goaltending situation in Toronto is perhaps the biggest wildcard heading into the season. Joseph Woll is expected to take over as the starter following an impressive showing last season. He will be backed up by veteran Anthony Stolarz, who had a breakout season with the Florida Panthers, posting stellar numbers as a backup. The goaltending tandem remains untested over a full season, and Woll’s ability to handle the workload will be key to Toronto’s success.
With star players in their prime, the Maple Leafs have the firepower to be one of the top teams in the NHL once again. However, playoff success will be the ultimate measuring stick. Can the revamped roster and Berube’s leadership finally push Toronto over the hump? The season ahead will be a defining one for this core group as they seek to end the franchise’s long Stanley Cup drought.
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