As the preseason gives way to the palpable tension of opening night, the final form of the 2025-26 Toronto Maple Leafs is emerging from the forge. Under the watchful eye of new bench boss Craig Berube, this isn’t just a simple trimming of the roster; it’s a calculated re-engineering of the team’s very DNA. The cuts have been made, the surprises have surfaced, and the roles are being defined. What’s left is a roster on the cusp, shaped by tough decisions, unexpected ascensions, and a clear mandate for a new, grittier brand of hockey.
The Kid Stays in the Picture: Easton Cowan’s Unlikely Ascension
In the annual theatre of training camp surprises, few scripts could have been written as compellingly as that of Easton Cowan. When camp opened, the 20-year-old was seen as a promising prospect, likely ticketed for a starring role with the Marlies. But as the preseason unfolded, Cowan didn’t just knock on the door; he kicked it off its hinges.
It wasn’t the flashy, high-scoring game that made him a junior superstar that secured his spot. Instead, Cowan demonstrated a remarkable hockey IQ by reimagining his role to fit the team’s needs. He has transformed into a versatile, tenacious, grinding winger—a Swiss Army knife of a player who Berube can deploy in any situation. His competitiveness and relentless motor have clearly resonated with a coach who values grit above all else. In recent practices, the ultimate tell came as Cowan skated on a projected fourth line with Steven Lorentz and Scott Laughton, leapfrogging established veterans like Calle Jarnkrok, David Kampf, and the perpetually-on-the-bubble Nicholas Robertson.
Captain Auston Matthews has taken notice, praising Cowan’s tangible progress over the summer. “You can see he’s put in the work,” Matthews noted. “He’s bigger, he’s stronger on the puck, and he has this ability to control the pace when he’s out there.” For a franchise often criticized for prioritizing skill over will, Cowan’s emergence as a relentless forechecker with top-tier talent is a signal of a profound philosophical shift. He isn’t just making the team; he’s embodying the new standard.
The Final Cut: Who’s In, Who’s Out?
While Cowan’s story is the feel-good headline, the front office is staring down the cold arithmetic of a 32-man roster that must be whittled down to 23. On Sept. 29, the axe fell on 30 players destined for the AHL, a group that included dark horse forward Jacob Quillan, whose solid camp effort wasn’t quite enough to survive the intense competition up front.
This still leaves a significant logjam, particularly among the forwards. The players left sweating under the spotlight are David Kampf, Calle Jarnkrok, Michael Pezzetta, and Nicholas Robertson. Each presents a different puzzle for management. Robertson, once again, has shown flashes of offensive brilliance but has been outshone by the sheer tenacity of players like Cowan and Bobby McMann. His waiver-exempt status is gone, meaning any move to the AHL would expose him to the rest of the league. A trade seems increasingly plausible, perhaps packaged with a contract like Kampf’s to clear space and add a different asset.
Kampf finds himself squeezed out by the acquisition of a bigger, more effective third-line centre. Jarnkrok’s versatility makes him a valuable piece, but potentially an expensive 13th forward. Pezzetta could be a candidate for the AHL, while Henry Thrun remains on the bubble on defence. The final decisions will come down to a combination of performance, cap management, and a commitment to Berube’s vision of a heavier, more defensively responsible lineup.
Heavy Metal and a Power Play Mandate
Two of the most significant changes defining this new era are happening in the middle of the ice and on the blue line. The acquisition of Nicolas Roy from the Vegas Golden Knights is proving to be one of the most impactful moves of the offseason. Roy isn’t here to light up the scoresheet; he’s here to extinguish the opposition’s will. Effectively replacing David Kampf as the third-line centre, Roy brings a punishing, heavy style of play the Leafs have desperately lacked. His ability to protect the puck deep in the offensive zone, grind down defencemen, and win battles in the “dirty areas” gives the bottom-six a formidable identity. He is the blueprint for the kind of player Berube wants, and his presence makes Toronto a much harder team to play against.
Meanwhile, with the departure of Mitch Marner, a massive void was created on the team’s top power-play unit. The coaching staff has wasted no time in handing the keys to a new driver. Publicly and unequivocally, they have declared that the power play is now Morgan Rielly’s to command. For the veteran defenceman, this is both a monumental responsibility and a significant opportunity. No longer a secondary option, Rielly is being tasked with leading and reinventing the man advantage. It’s a clear vote of confidence but also a high-pressure directive to prove he can quarterback an elite unit in the league. His performance in this new role will be a critical factor in the team’s offensive success.
Stability and a Stopgap: Unpacking the Leafs’ Crease
Perhaps no area has seen more dramatic twists and turns this preseason than the goaltending. The biggest news was the long-term stability secured by signing number one netminder Anthony Stolarz to a four-year, $15 million contract extension. Stolarz, who cited the passion of the Toronto fanbase as a key reason for his commitment, provides the organization with a reliable starter for the foreseeable future. The deal is seen as a major win, creating what could arguably be the “best bang-for-your-buck tandem” in the NHL for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 seasons when Joseph Woll is also under contract.
Also on the EDGE – How the Maple Leafs Locked Down a Star Goalie for a Song
However, the short-term picture became suddenly complicated. With Woll stepping away from the team for personal reasons, an immediate hole opened up in the depth chart. That has turned James Reimer’s professional tryout (PTO) from a simple insurance policy into a potentially vital lifeline. The Leafs face a demanding schedule with three back-to-back sets in October alone, making a reliable second or third goalie essential. While Reimer has been practicing with the Marlies and did not join the team for a recent bonding trip, his NHL experience makes him the most logical candidate to earn a contract and fill the void. He could quickly go from a camp curiosity to a crucial stopgap.
For now, prospect Dennis Hildeby appears slated to begin the season as Stolarz’s backup. He and fellow prospect Artur Akhtyamov represent the future in net, with management hopeful they will be ready to take the reins when Stolarz’s new deal expires. But in the immediate term, the goaltending situation is a fascinating mix of long-term certainty and pressing, short-term need.
As the final decisions are made, the blueprint is clear. This is Berube’s team now: younger in some spots, heavier in others, and built with an emphasis on relentless competitiveness. The pieces are nearly all in place. Now, the real work begins.
Created with the aid of Gemini AI