It’s the end of August and with September around the corner, the NHL season is about to get underway with training camps and then the start of the 2025-26 season. Much like last season, there were a lot of changes to the Toronto Maple Leafs roster as they look to change their identity. They lost a star winger and made the necessary changes to try and continue to construct the roster they see fit with a number of new faces in the fold.
Like any season, comes bold predictions for what the season can hold. We already started to kick that off here at The Hockey Writers, so why not add some more bold takes for the Maple Leafs this season. Here are four more bold takes for the upcoming season.
Nylander Hits and Surpasses the 100-point mark
With one of the Maple Leafs 100-point players gone in Mitch Marner, it’s now William Nylander’s stage, as he’s now the team’s top right winger. Whether he can move up to the top line or stay on the second line remains to be seen, he’s going to be relied on to be just as productive as Marner. He’s definitely poised for another big season as this could be the year where he hits the 100-point mark.
Since 2022-23, Nylander has had three-straight 40-goal seasons, including a career-best 45 last season. He has been one of the most productive in the league as he’s 11th overall with 269 points, 17 points behind Marner. With captain Auston Matthews being the only other player to reach that mark recently, Nylander can definitely reach that plateau as well. He was just shy of that mark in 2023-24 as he had 98 points.
Given how Nylander can generate chances in the offensive zone at five-on-five, his shot and ability to find the open ice on the power play and awareness to sneak behind defenders undetected with his speed and be in on a breakaway, he’s a constant dangerous offensive producer. He always seems to elevate his game and find a new level. Seeing as he has been on the penalty kill in the past, he can use that to his advantage more to produce in all situations. His production dipped to 84 points last season, but he’s still capable of hitting the century mark.
Maccelli Gets 60-70 points
With Marner not in the fold anymore, the Maple Leafs also need to get production from other sources. Hence why they brought in Matias Maccelli as the playmaker to potentially play alongside Matthews as a fit on the top line.
Related: Auston Matthews Is Convinced That the 2025-26 Maple Leafs Are a Great Team
It’s a gamble to take on Maccielli given how he went from 57 points with the Arizona Coyotes to 18 with the Utah Hockey Club last season. After the move to Utah, there were multiple reasons why he struggled, but the upside is there. On the Sticks in the 6ix Podcast, Andrew Forbes and I had a former Arizona Coyotes video coach Steve Peters come on to breakdown everything down on the forward. If the Maccielli from Arizona shows up, with the same amount of creativity, skill and pace that he plays with then the move is going to pay off and he can be extremely productive.
If he gets a legitimate shot and excels in the top-six– especially on the top line– and can get back to form a few seasons ago, Maccielli can easily be a 60 to 70- point player with the Maple Leafs after he has shown great progression throughout before the down season.
Easton Cowan Stays Past Nine Games
Last season, I had this same prediction. Unfortunately, it didn’t come true. However, this time feels different for Easton Cowan. He’s another year stronger and has last season to fall back on to be motivated and push for a roster spot.
Cowan had another strong season with the London Knights with 69 points, but it was his play in the playoffs that really took off and could give him confidence heading into camp. He led the Ontario Hockey League playoffs in points with 39, added another OHL Championship to his resume, won the Memorial Cup and was tied for first with seven points to win MVP honours. When the games matter most, Cowan seems to find another gear to elevate his play and standout. He doesn’t stop until he achieves his goal.
Now that he’s about to turn pro, he won’t have his sights set on the American Hockey League. Depending how things work out roster wise, Cowan could find himself either on the second or third line. If he impresses enough during his first nine games, he can easily stay. Given his tenacious and puck-hounding style of play, he’ll fit right in with the roster. If he does start off in the AHL, he can easily earn himself a call-up. However, he won’t be satisfied with that as he wants to make a difference now.
Robertson Traded Early in Season
It feels like things are getting to a boiling point between Nicholas Robertson and the Maple Leafs. While they avoided arbitration and met in the middle on a new contract, it still feels like it’ll be best if both sides part ways and give Robertson an opportunity elsewhere.
Robertson has only been able to carve himself as a third-line player for most of his time with the Maple Leafs. When he was in junior, he had top-six upside but hasn’t been able to elevate his game and take that next step. With Cowan potentially looking to knock him off for a roster spot, Matthew Knies taking one of the left wing spots and the offseason moves they’ve made by bringing in Maccelli and Dakota Joshua, Robertson’s time definitely feels like it’s up.
Related: The Maple Leafs Aren’t Done Feeling the Marner Fallout
That’s why it’s best to move him as soon as possible– even when the season starts– and get whatever return you can while there’s still some value. He definitely has the skillset to succeed, but even with the changes happening in Toronto, it feels like he’s on the outside looking in. He plays with the mindset the team wants, but the shift to shift and game to game consistency remains questionable.
The Maple Lefas will have a different look and a lot of opportunities for players to make a big impact this season. There’s the potential for a lot of breakouts and career seasons that can happen. We’ll see if it actually comes true.
