The 2025-26 National Hockey League season has served as a crucible for the Toronto Maple Leafs. The organization is currently grappling with an identity crisis. This situation threatens to derail its decade-long window of contention. As of late January 2026, the franchise is in a precarious position within the Atlantic Division. They have a 24-18-9 record. Their statistical profile suggests a team moving toward mediocrity, not a championship pedigree.¹ The primary reason for this instability is a fundamental misalignment. The inherited roster’s specialized skill sets do not align with the rigid, “heavy” hockey philosophy. Head coach Craig Berube implemented this philosophy.³ This tactical friction has changed the Maple Leafs from a high-octane offensive juggernaut. A catastrophic injury cycle on the blue line compounded the situation. The vacuum left by the departure of elite playmaking talent lingers. As a result, they have become a defensively vulnerable entity that frequently relies on goaltending heroics to remain competitive.³

The Atlantic Division Matrix and Playoff Probability

The current landscape of the Atlantic Division shows that the Maple Leafs are no longer a dominant regular-season force. The club has 57 points through 51 games. It sits in sixth place. They trail the Tampa Bay Lightning and Detroit Red Wings by double-digit margins.¹ This regression is particularly stark. In the previous era under Sheldon Keefe, the team was a perennial lock for a top-three seed. The Montreal Canadiens and Buffalo Sabres have emerged as legitimate divisional threats. This has further squeezed the margin for error. Toronto is now in a desperate battle for a wild-card spot.¹

Atlantic Division Comparative Standings – January 23, 2026

Team	GP	W	L	OTL	Pts	GF	GA	Diff	RW
Tampa Bay Lightning	49	32	13	4	68	172	122	+50	25
Detroit Red Wings	52	31	16	5	67	162	158	+4	21
Montreal Canadiens	51	28	16	7	63	174	171	+3	18
Buffalo Sabres	50	28	17	5	61	167	155	+12	22
Boston Bruins	51	29	20	2	60	170	159	+11	22
Toronto Maple Leafs	51	24	18	9	57	169	172	-3	17
Florida Panthers	49	26	20	3	55	148	161	-13	22
Ottawa Senators	50	23	20	7	53	166	169	-3	18

¹

The statistical discrepancies within the divisional table reveal a team struggling with consistency. Toronto’s negative goal differential (-3) results from a defensive structure. This structure has surrendered 172 goals. It ranks them among the bottom tier of the league in goals against.¹ While the offence continues to produce at a high rate—averaging 3.31 goals per game—the lack of defensive cohesion has effectively neutralized their scoring prowess.² The team’s inability to secure wins in regulation is also a mounting concern. They have only 17 regulation wins (RW). The Maple Leafs lag behind their direct competitors in the tiebreaker metrics that often determine postseason entry.¹

Tactical Ideology and the Berube Systemic Shift

The hiring of Craig Berube was intended to instill “playoff-ready” grit. It also aimed to enhance defensive accountability that had ostensibly been lacking during the Keefe era.⁴ However, the implementation of Berube’s system has resulted in a significant downturn in puck possession and territorial control.³ The current iteration of the Maple Leafs has experienced a shift in playing style. They have moved away from being a high-possession, tactically fluid squad. Now, they have become a North-South team that prioritizes dumping the puck and engaging in physical battles.³

Analysis of five-on-five metrics indicates a concerning trend. Under Sheldon Keefe, the Maple Leafs consistently ranked in the top five for scoring chances for (SCF). They also ranked highly for high-danger chances for (HDCF).⁶ In the 2025-26 season, those rankings have plummeted to 12th and 17th, respectively.⁶ More alarming is that the opposition is out-chancing the team on a nightly basis. The team’s high-danger chance against (HDCA) rank is now 20th in the league.⁶

Five-on-Five Possession and Scoring Chance Metrics

Coaching Era	Season	SCF per 60	SCA per 60	HDCF per 60	HDCA per 60	xGF%
Craig Berube	2025-26	28.49	29.90	11.99	12.34	46.2%
Craig Berube	2024-25	27.41	28.86	11.35	11.21	48.8%
Sheldon Keefe	2023-24	31.47	29.04	11.99	12.34	52.1%
Sheldon Keefe	2022-23	33.39	28.33	14.80	11.98	53.8%

²

The shift in strategy has created a disconnect among the roster. The current bottom-six forward group is characterized by high weight but low speed. Max Domi is the exception. This group is ill-equipped to execute a dump-and-chase strategy.³ The strategy essentially results in a voluntary surrender of possession. These players lack the top-end speed to retrieve pucks off the boards.³ Opposing teams can counterattack quickly. They often do this with numerical advantages because Toronto’s forwards are still caught deep in the offensive zone.³ The defensemen cannot use the middle of the ice for breakouts. This has led to a “rimming” culture. They blindly cycle the puck around the boards, only to have it intercepted by the opposing forecheck.⁶

The Post-Marner Era: Creative Deficits and Top-Six Fatigue

The departure of Mitchell Marner to the Vegas Golden Knights occurred in the summer of 2025. It marks a major shift for the franchise. It represents perhaps the most significant personnel change in recent history.¹² Marner often faced criticism during playoff exits. However, his regular-season value as a transition engine has proven difficult to replace. His role as a power-play architect is also irreplaceable.¹² Marner’s current success in Vegas is evident. He has recorded 52 points in 50 games. This success highlights the playmaking void left in Toronto.¹²

In Marner’s absence, the team has leaned more heavily on William Nylander and Matthew Knies to drive play. Nylander has scored 48 points in 37 games. This performance maintains his status as an elite offensive threat in the NHL. Unfortunately, he was sidelined with a groin injury in mid-January.¹ Knies has also taken a significant step forward. He has recorded 43 points. He provides a much-needed physical presence in the top six.¹⁶ However, relying on a few key individuals makes the Maple Leafs’ offence more predictable. This strategy makes it easier to defend against, especially for teams capable of neutralizing a single high-threat line.¹¹

Top Forward Statistics – 2025-26 Regular Season

Player	GP	G	A	Pts	+/-	TOI/GP
William Nylander	37	17	31	48	1	18:53
John Tavares	51	18	25	43	-9	18:23
Matthew Knies	48	12	31	43	-6	18:53
Auston Matthews	45	25	17	42	4	19:58
Bobby McMann	50	16	10	26	3	14:53
Max Domi	49	6	18	24	-16	14:00

¹⁶

The statistical decline of Max Domi is indicative of the broader creative struggle. After a disappointing 33-point campaign in 2024-25, Domi was expected to take a significant step forward to mitigate Marner’s departure.¹⁹ However, his production has remained inconsistent. His -16 rating suggests that his defensive liabilities have not been offset by enough offensive generation.¹⁶ The firing of assistant coach Marc Savard on December 22, 2025, highlighted the organizational frustration. The power play had slipped into the bottom ten of the league. This reflected a lack of innovation in Marner’s absence.²¹

The Matthews Conundrum: Shooting Efficiency and Defensive Burden

Auston Matthews remains the focal point of the franchise, but his 2025-26 campaign has been a study in volatility. Following a career-high 69-goal season in 2023-24, Matthews experienced a “down” year in 2024-25, scoring 33 goals while battling injuries.¹⁹ The current season saw a slow start, with his shooting percentage dipping to a career-low 11.7% during the first three months.²⁰ This inefficiency was not necessarily a decline in skill but appeared to be a product of Berube’s deployment.¹¹ Matthews has been used much more defensively than in previous years. He faces tougher competition and starts more frequently in the defensive zone. This happens more often than for almost any other star center in the league.¹¹

The data suggests that Matthews has been taking fewer shots from “Very High Danger” areas. These areas include specifically the crease and low slot.²² His shot volume in these areas dropped from 1.49 per game in his 69-goal season to 1.16 per game, a loss that translates to approximately five goals over a full season.²² However, the calendar flip to 2026 has seen a dramatic resurgence. Matthews claimed the franchise goal-scoring record. He surpassed Mats Sundin. Matthews has enjoyed a massive uptick in slot shots. He returned to the 98th percentile for mid-range finishing.²³

Auston Matthews: Performance Trajectory (Last 12 Games)

Period	GP	G	A	Pts	S%	Notes
Early Season	33	15	12	27	11.7%	Shooting efficiency career low
Post-Christmas	11	10	7	17	21.3%	Surge in high-danger attempts
January Month	8	8	3	11	24.0%	Surpassed Sundin’s record

²⁰

Matthews has appeared to reclaim his lethal scoring form. The question remains whether the team can survive his more taxing defensive workload. Berube must rely on Matthews due to the lack of a secondary elite playmaking center. This is especially due to John Tavares’ natural age-related decline. Matthews neutralizes the opposition’s best lines. This role potentially saps the energy he needs for his late-game offensive bursts.⁴

Blue Line Attrition and the Crisis of Quality

The most immediate threat to the Maple Leafs’ playoff aspirations is a catastrophic injury crisis on the defensive corps. This crisis is existential. By late January 2026, the organization is potentially missing 75% of its top-four defensive unit.⁵ Chris Tanev, signed to provide elite shutdown capabilities, is out indefinitely with a long-term groin injury.⁵ Brandon Carlo is dealing with an unspecified ailment. He is another pillar of the defensive structure. This happened shortly after he returned from a two-month foot injury.⁵ Perhaps most damagingly, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, who led the defence in points with 31, suffered a lower-body injury. This occurred during a January 21 loss to Detroit.⁵

This vacuum has forced the Maple Leafs to rely on depth defenders who were never intended to carry top-pairing minutes. Simon Benoit, Philippe Myers, and the recently acquired Troy Stecher have been elevated into roles that expose their tactical limitations.²⁶ The underlying metrics for these players show a significant negative differential in expected goals. This highlights the team’s inability to limit quality chances when the core defence is absent.²⁷

Defenseman Performance and Advanced Metrics

Player	GP	G	A	+/-	xGF – xGA	HDCF – HDCA	TOI/GP
Oliver Ekman-Larsson	51	8	23	8	+3.52	+12	21:03
Morgan Rielly	49	6	23	-13	+4.19	+17	21:44
Jake McCabe	49	3	14	15	+1.27	-5	21:03
Brandon Carlo	28	0	4	3	-2.10	-8	20:30
Simon Benoit	44	0	3	-3	-3.85	-14	16:20
Philippe Myers	25	0	2	-9	-4.12	-18	15:15

¹⁶

The case of Morgan Rielly is particularly illustrative of the team’s defensive struggle. Despite possessing the strongest expected goals differential among all Toronto defensemen, Rielly carries a team-worst -13 rating.²⁷ Analysts suggest this disconnect is the result of Rielly frequently being on the ice for high-leverage defensive breakdowns. He may also be suffering from poor on-ice save percentages.²⁹ While he continues to drive play offensively, his decision-making in the defensive zone has been questioned by former players. Analysts have suggested that his workload may need to be reduced to mitigate these lapses.¹³

The Crease: Homegrown Stability and Return Logistics

Amidst the systemic and defensive turmoil, the goaltending position has emerged as an unexpected pillar of strength. Veteran Anthony Stolarz was injured on November 11, 2025. The Maple Leafs then turned to rookie Dennis Hildeby. Hildeby had spent the majority of his development in the AHL with the Toronto Marlies.²¹ Hildeby has exceeded expectations, posting a.910 save percentage and ranking 11th in the league among goaltenders with at least 12 starts.²¹

Simultaneously, Joseph Woll has solidified his status as a legitimate NHL starter. Woll missed the early portion of the season due to a personal matter. However, he has posted the third-best save average in the league at.912.²¹ The success of these two “homegrown” talents is significant. It has allowed the Maple Leafs to steal points in games where their defensive structure was compromised.⁵

However, the impending return of Anthony Stolarz from a 70-day stint on the injured reserve creates a logistical conundrum.³⁰ Stolarz struggled significantly before his injury, posting an.884 save percentage and a 3.51 GAA.³⁰ The Woll-Hildeby tandem is performing at an elite level. As a result, Stolarz has been mentioned as a potential trade chip. This is the case even in a weak goalie market.³⁰ Hildeby is waiver-exempt and can be returned to the AHL. However, his superior performance suggests that such a move might be purely administrative. It might not be merit-based.³⁰

Goaltending Statistical Comparison – 2025-26 Season

Goaltender	GP	Record	SV%	GAA	Status
Joseph Woll	21	11-8-2	.912	2.55	Primary Starter
Dennis Hildeby	19	10-6-3	.910	2.84	Active Backup
Anthony Stolarz	14	6-5-1	.884	3.51	Activated from IR
Artur Akhtyamov	1	0-0-1	.910	2.91	AHL Depth

¹

The Front Office Dilemma: Capital Scarcity and Market Reality

General Manager Brad Treliving enters the 2026 trade deadline season with limited resources. His roster is in desperate need of defensive reinforcement. The organization has depleted its draft capital in recent years, leaving it without first-round picks in the upcoming two seasons.³⁰ Consequently, any significant acquisition will likely require the sacrifice of the team’s remaining blue-chip prospects. The team must consider parting with Easton Cowan and Ben Danford specifically.³⁰

Cowan is a 20-year-old forward. He has shown he can contribute at the NHL level with 16 points in 40 games. He is the most coveted asset in the system.¹⁶ The team is hesitant to move him. However, internal reports suggest he is the only “difference-making” trade chip. He is capable of netting a top-pairing defenseman.³⁰ Danford is a defence-first defender. He recently helped Team Canada to a bronze medal at the World Junior Championships. Danford is also a prime candidate for trade discussion. Teams look for controllable defensive assets.³⁰

Potential Trade Targets and Market Complications

The Maple Leafs have been linked to several high-profile defensemen, but each presents unique challenges. Dougie Hamilton of the New Jersey Devils has surfaced in rumors. His $9 million cap hit makes a mid-season trade unlikely. The Devils’ own injury concerns regarding Luke Hughes also contribute to the unlikelihood.⁵ Luke Schenn of the Winnipeg Jets is a familiar and reliable option. However, his declining metrics and disappointment in Winnipeg raise questions. There are concerns about his ability to improve Toronto’s top four.⁵

Target	Team	Cap Hit	Status	Notes
Dougie Hamilton	NJD	$9.0M	Limited Availability	Devils reluctant due to Hughes injury
Luke Schenn	WPG	$2.75M	Available	Defensive metrics in decline
Filip Hronek	VAN	$7.25M	Unavailable	Agent Allan Walsh denied trade rumors
Luke Hughes	NJD	$0.9M	Injured	Out indefinitely; impacts Hamilton market

⁵

The market for defensemen is notoriously tight in January, and desperation often leads to overpayment.⁵ Given the Maple Leafs’ lack of assets, Treliving faces a tough decision. He must decide whether to leverage the team’s future for a short-term playoff push. Alternatively, he may accept that the current roster may not be able to make a deep run. This holds true regardless of a single acquisition.⁴

Narrative Crossroads: Motivation vs. Tactician

The central conflict within the Maple Leafs organization is not just physical but philosophical. The narrative entering the 2026 stretch is defined by a clash between the “Tactician” (Keefe) and the “Motivator” (Berube).⁴ Keefe excelled at managing the 82-game regular-season grind through analytics. He also managed line efficiencies. However, Berube’s old-school motivational style is physically “expensive” for players to maintain.⁴

The results of this style have been physically taxing on the veteran core. Bodies are breaking down, and energy levels appear to dip as games enter the third period.⁴ In a recent 6-3 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights, the team could not keep up pressure. They struggled in the final twenty minutes. They recorded only five shots despite being within one goal for much of the period.⁹ Berube’s response has been to “double down” on the message of working harder. He emphasizes being heavier. Critics argue this strategy lacks the tactical flexibility required to navigate the modern NHL.⁴

The Road Ahead: The Olympic Sprint and Final Verdict

The Maple Leafs face a grueling schedule before the NHL pauses for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milan.³⁵ The team has six games in ten days. They will play against high-level competition like the Colorado Avalanche. As a result, the team’s playoff window is closing rapidly.³¹ The margin for “almost” games has disappeared. Berube has made it clear that “execution is the only currency that matters”.³¹

Pre-Olympic Schedule – Critical Games

Date	Opponent	Venue	Context
Jan 25	Colorado Avalanche	Home	Seeking to sweep season series
Jan 27	Buffalo Sabres	Home	Crucial divisional point game
Jan 29	Seattle Kraken	Away	Start of West Coast road trip
Jan 31	Vancouver Canucks	Away	Rivalry game before break
Feb 2	Calgary Flames	Away	Final Western road game
Feb 3	Edmonton Oilers	Away	Final game before Olympic pause

³¹

Several Maple Leafs stars will travel to Italy during the Olympic break. This includes Auston Matthews (Team USA) and William Nylander (Team Sweden). This travel will further increase the fatigue factor as the season enters its final sprint.¹⁵ The roster freeze is in effect from February 4 to February 22. This leaves Treliving with a very narrow window. He must finalize any transactions to stabilize the roster.³⁰

Conclusion: Playoff Contender or Post-Mortem Pursuit?

The analytical consensus suggests that the Toronto Maple Leafs are currently a “marginal” playoff contender.³⁸ While their top-end talent remains capable of winning individual games, they are a vulnerable opponent. Their systemic inefficiencies, defensive thinness, and lack of creative depth contribute to this vulnerability.³ The team’s reliance on goaltending to mask a 46.2% expected goals percentage is a dangerous gamble that historically does not translate to postseason success.³

The organization must achieve a convergence of three factors if it is to salvage the season. First, there’s a need for the recovery of its top-four defensive unit. Secondly, a sustained offensive surge is required from Matthews and a healthy Nylander. Lastly, a tactical recalibration by Craig Berube is necessary. This recalibration should re-incorporate puck possession into the team’s identity.⁴ Without these shifts, the 2025-26 season appears destined to follow the “cynics’ feast.” It is likely to slide from a pursuit of the Stanley Cup into a post-mortem analysis. This analysis would explore why a once-promising core failed to adapt to a new regime.³¹ The next ten days will serve as the final indicator. It will reveal whether this team still believes in its current path. Alternatively, it might show if the organization is facing an inevitable and painful retooling.

Works cited

1. 2025–26 Toronto Maple Leafs season – Wikipedia, accessed January 25, 2026, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025%E2%80%9326_Toronto_Maple_Leafs_season
2. 2025-26 Toronto Maple Leafs Roster and Statistics – Hockey-Reference.com, accessed January 25, 2026, https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/TOR/2026.html
3. The 2025 Toronto Maple Leafs: A Post-Mortem – Reddit, accessed January 25, 2026, https://www.reddit.com/r/leafs/comments/1p03lmb/the_2025_toronto_maple_leafs_a_postmortem/
4. Keefe vs. Berube: Who Was the Maple Leafs’ Better Coach?, accessed January 25, 2026, https://nhltradetalk.com/keefe-vs-berube-who-was-the-maple-leafs-better-coach/
5. Latest On Maple Leafs’ Defense – Pro Hockey Rumors, accessed January 25, 2026, https://www.prohockeyrumors.com/2026/01/latest-on-maple-leafs-defense.html
6. Stat comparison of the last 3 coaches: or why the Leafs are boring to watch now and Berube is (still) a bad coach – Reddit, accessed January 25, 2026, https://www.reddit.com/r/leafs/comments/1ow95x8/stat_comparison_of_the_last_3_coaches_or_why_the/
7. 2025-26 NHL Standings | Hockey-Reference.com, accessed January 25, 2026, https://www.hockey-reference.com/leagues/NHL_2026_standings.html
8. 2025-26 NHL Hockey Standings – CBS Sports, accessed January 25, 2026, https://www.cbssports.com/nhl/standings/
9. Leafs HC Craig Berube, John Tavares Get Brutally Honest as Toronto Falls to Golden Knights | College Sports Network, accessed January 25, 2026, https://collegefootballnetwork.com/nhl/leafs-hc-craig-berube-john-tavares-get-brutally-honest-as-toronto-falls-to-golden-knights/
10. Keefe vs. Berube: Who Was the Maple Leafs’ Better Coach? – Yardbarker, accessed January 25, 2026, https://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/keefe_vs_berube_who_was_the_maple_leafs_better_coach/s1_16454_43245619
11. Watch this and then tell me the system isn’t the problem. : r/leafs – Reddit, accessed January 25, 2026, https://www.reddit.com/r/leafs/comments/1pupxdk/watch_this_and_then_tell_me_the_system_isnt_the/
12. One of the most polarizing players in team history, Golden Knights …, accessed January 25, 2026, https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/article/one-of-the-most-polarizing-players-in-team-history-golden-knights-marner-set-to-face-maple-leafs-for-first-time/
13. Stats for player Rielly, Morgan #44 (D) – Toronto Maple Leafs – 2025/2026 Regular Season, accessed January 25, 2026, https://www.officepools.com/nhl/entity/player/5685
14. Stats for player Marner, Mitchell #93 (RW) – Las Vegas Golden Knights – 2025/2026 Regular Season – Officepools, accessed January 25, 2026, https://www.officepools.com/nhl/entity/player/6746
15. NHL Status Report: Toews joins Avalanche for 4-game road trip, accessed January 25, 2026, https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-status-report-news-and-notes-january-25-2026
16. Toronto Maple Leafs 2025-26 roster and scoring statistics at hockeydb.com, accessed January 25, 2026, https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/teams/0000382026.html
17. 2025-2026 Regular Season Player Stats for Toronto Maple Leafs – Elite Prospects, accessed January 25, 2026, https://www.eliteprospects.com/team/76/toronto-maple-leafs/stats/2025-2026
18. Last Two Months’ NHL Stats – Toronto Maple Leafs – QuantHockey, accessed January 25, 2026, https://www.quanthockey.com/nhl/teams/toronto-maple-leafs-players-last-two-months-nhl-stats.html
19. Projecting Maple Leafs’ Forwards Point Totals for 2025-26 Season – The Hockey Writers, accessed January 25, 2026, https://thehockeywriters.com/projecting-maple-leafs-forwards-point-totals-2025-26-season/
20. 4 Maple Leafs Looking for a Better Result in 2026 – The Hockey Writers, accessed January 25, 2026, https://thehockeywriters.com/4-maple-leafs-looking-for-better-result-2026/
21. Last line of defence: What the Leafs can learn from their goaltenders …, accessed January 25, 2026, https://thevarsity.ca/2026/01/05/last-line-of-defence-what-the-leafs-can-learn-from-their-goaltenders/
22. Analyzing the Dip in Auston Matthews’ Shooting Efficiency | by E Kervin – Medium, accessed January 25, 2026, https://medium.com/@e.kervin37/analyzing-the-dip-in-auston-matthews-shooting-efficiency-9da21a38ee62
23. Matthews has hat trick, Maple Leafs rally from down 3 to top Jets | NHL.com, accessed January 25, 2026, https://www.nhl.com/news/winnipeg-jets-toronto-maple-leafs-game-recap-january-1-2026
24. Auston Matthews Is Back to Being a Lethal Scoring Threat – The Hockey Writers – Toronto Maple Leafs – NHL News, Analysis & More, accessed January 25, 2026, https://thehockeywriters.com/auston-matthews-back-to-being-lethal-scoring-threat/
25. Stats for player Matthews, Auston #34 (C) – Toronto Maple Leafs – 2025/2026 Regular Season – Officepools, accessed January 25, 2026, https://www.officepools.com/nhl/entity/player/7109
26. Avalanche at Maple Leafs projected lineups – NHL.com, accessed January 25, 2026, https://www.nhl.com/news/colorado-avalanche-toronto-maple-leafs-game-preview-january-25-2026
27. Morgan Rielly, OEL, and the Real Story of the Maple Leafs’ Defence – The Hockey Writers, accessed January 25, 2026, https://thehockeywriters.com/rielly-ekman-larsson-real-story-maple-leafs-defence/
28. Morgan Reilly Plus Minus Stats | StatMuse, accessed January 25, 2026, https://www.statmuse.com/nhl/ask/morgan-reilly-plus-minus-stats
29. Analyst Believes Morgan Rielly’s Struggles Warrant Big Changes – Yardbarker, accessed January 25, 2026, https://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/analyst_believes_morgan_riellys_struggles_warrant_big_changes/s1_16454_43357863
30. 3 Maple Leafs that could be gone by the trade deadline – Editor In Leaf, accessed January 25, 2026, https://editorinleaf.com/3-maple-leafs-that-could-be-gone-by-the-trade-deadline
31. Toronto Maple Leafs’ Cynics Don’t Have to Work Hard After Loss to …, accessed January 25, 2026, https://thehockeywriters.com/maple-leafs-cynics-dont-have-to-work-hard-after-loss-to-the-golden-knights/
32. NHL Rumor Mill – January 22, 2026, accessed January 25, 2026, https://www.spectorshockey.net/2026/01/nhl-rumor-mill-january-22-2026/
33. NHL Weekend Rumors: Big Decisions Loom for Leafs, Canucks, Bruins, accessed January 25, 2026, https://nhltradetalk.com/nhl-weekend-rumors-big-decisions-loom-for-leafs-canucks-bruins/
34. Agent Says Ideal Blue Line Trade Target for Toronto Not Available, accessed January 25, 2026, https://thehockeywriters.com/agent-says-hronek-trade-for-maple-leafs-not-happening/
35. National Hockey League 2025–26 season: Key dates and answers to frequently asked questions – Milano Cortina 2026, accessed January 25, 2026, https://www.olympics.com/en/milano-cortina-2026/news/national-hockey-league-2025-26-season-key-dates-answers-frequently-asked-questions/
36. Toronto Maple Leafs News, Scores and Stats 2025-26 – CBS Sports, accessed January 25, 2026, https://www.cbssports.com/nhl/teams/TOR/toronto-maple-leafs/
37. 2025-26 NHL DATES OF INTEREST All Times Eastern | As of Sept. 19, 2025 – NHL Media, accessed January 25, 2026, https://media.nhl.com/site/asset/public/ext/nhl%20stats/2025-26%20Regular%20Season/2025-26%20Dates%20of%20Interest.pdf
38. 2025-26 NHL Stanley Cup Final Odds: Avalanche Growing Favorite – Vegas Insider, accessed January 25, 2026, https://www.vegasinsider.com/nhl/odds/futures/