Worry-O-Meter for the Toronto Maple Leafs
If you're a Toronto Maple Leafs fan, you probably grew up expecting the worst. The team’s long history of emotional highs and lows has made following them feel like a never-ending roller coaster ride. After the Mitch Marner departure, many hoped the “Core Four” chapter had finally closed, and the Leafs could redefine themselves with a calmer, more confident identity.
However, the early numbers for the 2025–26 season tell a different story. Toronto stands at 5-5-1 after 11 games, a record that raises more questions than optimism. There are flashes of promise—most notably, Matthew Knies showing steady improvement—but the overall performance has been underwhelming.
- The power play sits among the league’s five weakest.
- Auston Matthews has opened the season well below his usual scoring pace.
- Goaltending has been inconsistent and far from impressive.
While the sample size is still small, fans are already debating whether it’s time to panic or simply give the team room to stabilize. Some of the struggles may have reasonable explanations, yet the start hasn’t been reassuring for those hoping for a smooth transition into a new era.
“A 5-5-1 start with some concerning losses against questionable opponents wasn’t the way to do it.”
Maybe the best advice for now is to keep an eye on the progress, stay patient, and, as some Toronto fans joke, focus on the city’s baseball hopes while the Leafs work out their issues.
Author’s Summary
The Maple Leafs’ uneven start after Marner’s exit sparks renewed anxiety among fans, highlighting shaky goaltending, weak power play, and uncertain early-season direction.