Two games into the season, and the Toronto Maple Leafs are showing flashes of both promise and frustration. There’s no reason to panic — it’s early, and new systems take time — but this team still feels like a work in progress. The good news is that some core pieces, like Morgan Rielly, look rejuvenated and sharper under Craig Berube’s structure.
The concern is that old habits keep creeping in: slow puck movement, lapses in focus, and a tendency to wait for someone else to take charge when things go sideways. The foundation is there, and the talent is undeniable. What remains to be seen is which version of this group will take hold — the confident, aggressive team that controls the play, or the tentative one that lets it slip away. Which way will they progress? That’s the question.
Related: Maple Leafs’ Rielly Showing Signs of a Bounce Back Season
If this is Berube’s blueprint beginning to take shape, it’s still being sketched in pencil.
A Promising Maple Leafs Start — and Rielly’s Revival
The first game wasn’t perfect by any stretch. The Maple Leafs started flat but built steadily, dominating the third period and controlling play when it mattered. Morgan Rielly, in particular, looked more engaged and balanced than he has in months — maybe years. He jumped into plays with purpose but stayed disciplined on the back end.
(Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images)
Under Berube, that blend of responsibility and creativity might finally be back. It was the kind of game that reminded fans what Rielly can be when he’s trusted to lead from the ice, not just the room.
The Maple Leafs’ Second Game? Déjà Vu in Detroit
The second outing was another story altogether — too familiar, too soon. The performance felt like a throwback to the Florida playoff losses: hesitant, reactive, and soft around the edges. Even during the 2-0 start, the warning signs were there. Toronto was outworked and outskated. The Red Wings’ forecheck had them spinning, and by the second period, it looked like the Maple Leafs were waiting for someone else to fix it. The third was better, but by then, the damage was done.
Related: Maple Leafs’ Easton Cowan Set to Make NHL Debut on Monday
This team was supposed to be heavier, harder to play against. Instead, the physicality barely registered. A few solid hits don’t make a heavy team — consistency does. Right now, that identity still feels like it’s written on the whiteboard, not lived on the ice.
Maple Leafs’ Speed and Structure: The Real Questions
You can see the pieces Berube wants to build with — discipline, effort, order — but there’s a creeping question about speed. Toronto doesn’t look slow in terms of foot speed; they look slow in decision-making. Puck movement bogs down, especially under pressure. That hesitation can quickly turn structure into chaos.
Oddly, the most cohesive line so far has been the fourth line — great for them, not so great for everyone else. Energy and reliability are their calling cards, but if they’re your best trio, that’s a warning light on the dashboard.
Down the Street in Toronto, a Different Story
Meanwhile, the American Hockey League (AHL) Toronto Marlies have the same 1-1 record, but the tone is entirely different. In their home opener, the Marlies earned a solid 4-1 win over the Rochester Americans. Goalie Dennis Hildeby was outstanding, stopping 32 of 33 shots, while Travis Boyd scored twice and captain Logan Shaw added a goal and an assist to lead the way.
Related: 5 Reasons for Maple Leafs Fans to Be Optimistic This Season
With a dozen new faces, they already look sharper and more connected than they did a year ago. Even their mistakes — like the bizarre missed line change that led to a goal in the opener — feel like growing pains rather than indifference. It’s a club still learning to play together, but the hunger is obvious. The big club could use a bit of that spark.
Looking Ahead to Tonight: Cowan’s Moment
Tonight’s game should be interesting. Easton Cowan is set to make his debut — and not quietly, either. He’s skating on the top line with Matthews and Knies, a trial by fire if ever there was one. Bobby McMann drops down as Matias Maccelli takes his spot with John Tavares and William Nylander. It’s the kind of shuffle that could change the early tone of the season if it clicks.
Cowan’s energy and confidence could be exactly what this team needs — someone who plays without waiting for permission. He doesn’t overthink. He simply goes. And if that rubs off on a few veterans, maybe this road trip starts to look like a turning point instead of another slow beginning.
The Bottom Line for the Maple Leafs
No reason to panic yet. Toronto often stumbles out of the gate before finding rhythm. But this week matters — not just for points, but for tone. Berube’s system can’t live on good intentions and buzzwords. It needs buy-in, pace, and a little swagger.
Related: Maple Leafs News & Rumours: Cowan, Jarnkrok & Growing Pains
And maybe, just maybe, a kid like Cowan can help bring that to life.
[Note: I want to thank long-time Maple Leafs fan Stan Smith for collaborating with me on this post. Stan’s Facebook profile can be found here.]
