The Toronto Maple Leafs are heading into a season that feels different from any other in recent memory. For the first time in a decade, Mitch Marner won’t be in their lineup.
The star forward, a workhorse who played in every situation, was sent to the Vegas Golden Knights in a sign-and-trade this summer. Now, head coach Craig Berube has the tough job of giving Toronto a new identity without one of its most dependable playmakers.
How Can Craig Berube Guide the Maple Leafs Through the Marner Gap?
Berube has been direct about the challenge ahead. “We talk about replacing Mitch; that’s not what we’re trying to do. We’re just trying to improve our team in other ways by adding these players,” he said in an interview with The Athletic.
Instead of hunting for a one-for-one replacement, Toronto added depth with Nicolas Roy, Dakota Joshua, and Matias Maccelli. Each player brings a different skill set, and the hope is that together, they can create a more balanced roster.
Berube acknowledged that Marner touched “all areas of the game: penalty kill, power play, five-on-five.” While the loss is significant, his response has been pragmatic. Rather than trying to force a solution, the Maple Leafs plan to experiment with different line combinations during training camp.
The coach believes that pairing Matthew Knies with Auston Matthews creates a solid foundation, leaving the third spot on that line up for grabs.
Joshua and Roy add size, defensive responsibility, and a physical edge. Maccelli, on the other hand, offers creativity and playmaking skills. Berube doesn’t see them as direct replacements for Marner, but as pieces that can collectively fortify Toronto’s overall structure. “We gotta test it out in camp and see where we’re at,” he added.
This offseason strategy signals a broader shift in the team’s philosophy. William Nylander is expected to stay with John Tavares on the second line, giving the Leafs balance through their top-six forwards. Max Domi might also get a look with Matthews, though Berube has emphasized that Domi needs to shoot more often to evolve his game.
How Will the New Pieces Fit Into the Maple Leafs’ System?
The new additions bring some built-in familiarity. Joshua previously played for Berube in St. Louis, so the coach already knows his physical style and penalty-killing abilities. Roy, who came over in the Marner trade, provides value as a right-handed center who can handle defensive assignments and win faceoffs.
Meanwhile, Maccelli, who earned high praise from former Coyotes executive Shane Doan, will be eased into training camp before getting a chance at top-line minutes.
Beyond the lineup, leadership was also a key topic. With Marner gone, the Maple Leafs confirmed they will not name a new alternate captain. John Tavares and Morgan Rielly will retain their “A’s,” serving alongside team captain Auston Matthews.
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“You don’t have to have an ‘A’ on or anything like that to be a leader. We have our leadership group, and that group’s strong, and I think all the guys understand that,” Berube shared.
For Matthews, the top priority is simply staying healthy. After an injury-plagued season, the Leafs are counting on his return to elite form. The team is entering a pivotal year, as losing Marner has created a clear void.
Since Toronto cannot replace him with a single player, the entire roster must evolve. Training camp will be the first test of how quickly that new vision can come together.
