- May 21, 2026
- 0
- 0
After they failed to clinch a Stanley Cup Playoff berth for the first time in 10 seasons, the Toronto Maple Leafs enter the 2026-27 campaign with the expectation of getting back into the postseason.
The Leafs finished 16th in the NHL in goals for with 252 last season, a steep decline compared to prior years when they scored 300-plus goals and finished in the top-five for offense. While fans and management hope for increased production from Auston Matthews, William Nylander and Matthew Knies, it may be their scoring depth — or lack there of — that could be a concern.
On Wednesday’s episode of Daily Faceoff LIVE, Tyler Yaremchuk and former NHL goaltender Carter Hutton are joined by Leafs Morning Take co-host Nick Alberga to discuss Toronto’s upcoming season and where their secondary scoring will come from.
Tyler Yaremchuk: If the Leafs want to get back in the playoffs, we’re talking about them having to have a 21-to-22-point improvement, year-over-year. After John Chayka’s first offseason, they made a lot of changes. The goaltending is different, the forward group is different.
When we talk about areas of concern … where do you go?
Nick Alberga: It’s probably scoring depth. I know Jack Roslovic is a good player, but ultimately, is he going to hang around the top-six forward group for 82 games? I’m still reserving judgement, and I know he has that connection with Auston Matthews from the U.S. development program.
I know they’re hoping Matthews will be that alpha from a few years; William Nylander and John Tavares are getting older, and Matthew Knies is looking for a bounce-back season. Who is going to provide that secondary, depth scoring? Easton Cowan and Nick Paul come to mind. The bottom-six forwards also look good, but we’ll see how it all comes together.
You can watch the full segment and the rest of the episode here…
Continue reading...
The Leafs finished 16th in the NHL in goals for with 252 last season, a steep decline compared to prior years when they scored 300-plus goals and finished in the top-five for offense. While fans and management hope for increased production from Auston Matthews, William Nylander and Matthew Knies, it may be their scoring depth — or lack there of — that could be a concern.
On Wednesday’s episode of Daily Faceoff LIVE, Tyler Yaremchuk and former NHL goaltender Carter Hutton are joined by Leafs Morning Take co-host Nick Alberga to discuss Toronto’s upcoming season and where their secondary scoring will come from.
Tyler Yaremchuk: If the Leafs want to get back in the playoffs, we’re talking about them having to have a 21-to-22-point improvement, year-over-year. After John Chayka’s first offseason, they made a lot of changes. The goaltending is different, the forward group is different.
When we talk about areas of concern … where do you go?
Nick Alberga: It’s probably scoring depth. I know Jack Roslovic is a good player, but ultimately, is he going to hang around the top-six forward group for 82 games? I’m still reserving judgement, and I know he has that connection with Auston Matthews from the U.S. development program.
I know they’re hoping Matthews will be that alpha from a few years; William Nylander and John Tavares are getting older, and Matthew Knies is looking for a bounce-back season. Who is going to provide that secondary, depth scoring? Easton Cowan and Nick Paul come to mind. The bottom-six forwards also look good, but we’ll see how it all comes together.
You can watch the full segment and the rest of the episode here…
Continue reading...