​There’s no doubt the Toronto Maple Leafs have enjoyed a banner offseason. So far, John Chayka has managed to overhaul the forward group substantially while also shedding a number of unwanted contracts. The arrival of Gavin McKenna has generated plenty of justifiable hype around the club, and if he can deliver from the start, Toronto could be one of the most dangerous teams in the Eastern Conference.
But there’s a reality that often goes unspoken about the Maple Leafs. Despite major changes to the team’s overall composition, they remain a veteran-heavy club. That situation always leaves room for injuries to pop up, and when they do, how does that alter the lineup?
Let’s examine the potential injury-prone elements on the roster, starting with Anthony Stolarz. In his two seasons with Toronto, he’s had multiple stints on the shelf. Now he’ll be stepping into a backup role behind Sergei Bobrovsky. But if Stolarz gets hurt again, what happens to the Maple Leafs’ goaltending situation? That’s just one consideration. There’s also Chris Tanev. The 36-year-old is coming off a season marked by injuries and setbacks. If he’s fully healthy and capable of playing around 70 games, the Leafs will be in good shape. But if he can’t stay durable, what does that do to the blue line?
The same question applies to Dakota Joshua, William Nylander, and especially Auston Matthews. Matthews endured a nasty knee injury late last season, and it’s the kind of knee issue that should always raise concerns for teams. There’s no guarantee an injury heals perfectly, and even after surgery and rehabilitation there can be lingering problems. So, what happens if Matthews isn’t fully recovered? The team clearly won’t rush him back unless he’s completely ready, which makes Matthews’ surgically repaired knee the biggest question mark surrounding the Leafs this season.
Another factor to consider is the broader scheduling environment this year. The NHL is transitioning to an 84-game schedule, adding two more games and effectively extending the season by about a week. The league will shorten the pre-season to accommodate the extra games, but predicting the exact impact of those additional contests is challenging. The compressed schedules of recent years have already shown a clear link to elevated injury rates, fatigue among players, and a higher reliance on depth.
The Colorado Avalanche provided a recent example: they powered through the regular season and the first two rounds of the playoffs before the lingering effects of injuries—most notably to Cale Makar—began to take a toll, contributing to fatigue in the later stages. For the Maple Leafs, navigating a longer schedule with more heavy back-to-back games could intensify the risk of injuries among a veteran core. What if that fatigue translates into more missed time for key players? What if the added games expose areas where depth could be tested?
In evaluating Toronto’s offseason, the potential for injury to pivotal players—Stolarz, Tanev, Joshua, Nylander, and Matthews—takes on extra significance against the backdrop of a longer schedule. The team’s success may hinge on the durability of its veterans and the depth pieces stepping up when called upon. If the Maple Leafs can maintain health across their core while effectively leveraging the upgraded forward group and the promising prospects like McKenna, they could capitalize on the added rest and the projected increased pace from new systems and players.
As the season approaches, the biggest questions will revolve around Matthews and his knee recovery, the staying power of Tanev on the blue line, and whether Stolarz can be a reliable depth option or if another goaltending contingency becomes necessary. With the 84-game slate on the horizon and the potential for more injuries due to greater wear, Toronto’s ability to manage health, maintain consistency, and deploy a flexible lineup will be crucial to translating a strong offseason into meaningful, sustained success on the ice.