It is a strange feeling around the city of Toronto this week as the Toronto Maple Leafs are preparing for three games that technically only matter for draft lottery position. Fans, players and the front office are showing their disappointment. And, in all honesty, the only saving grace would be for the Maple Leafs to hang on to their 2026 first round pick.
After a 7-6 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday, the Maple Leafs were officially eliminated from playoff contention. With the postseason out of reach for the first time in a decade, the focus has shifted pretty quickly to the future of the roster, figuring out who stays and who goes, as well as the search for a new General Manager (GM).
Roster Notes and Injuries
The blue line took another hit during their California road trip. Oliver Ekman-Larsson suffered a lower-body injury after an awkward collision in San Jose. With Ekman-Larsson out and the playoffs off the table, we could see William Villeneuve, who was recalled on an emergency basis. It is a big opportunity for the young defenceman to show what he can do at the NHL level, if he gets the chance to get into the lineup.
Related: Maple Leafs Reportedly Discussed Blockbuster Trades With Canadiens & Sabres at Deadline
Up front, all eyes are on Matthew Knies, who is coming off a two-goal performance against the Kings. Knies has seen his name in a ton of trade rumors lately, so with each game it kind of feels like he is trying to prove he can help this team and that he wants to be part of it long-term. With the season winding down, these last handful of games could go a long way in determining who is going to stick with the team after this season. The management group, albeit without a GM, will be watching closely to see who is still competing, especially when there is not much left to play for beyond pride.
For Knies, the spot is likely safe unless, of course, there is a trade package on the table that is just too good to turn down. That said, if they were to move him, it feels like the kind of decision they would regret pretty quickly, maybe even more than the Fraser Minten trade. So it is fair to assume the new management group will see him as part of the solution and not the problem.
The Week Ahead
The Maple Leafs return home to Scotiabank Arena to start a three-game homestand. With not much left to play for, these final games could bring out a bit more edge from players who are not exactly happy with how this season has gone.
- Wednesday, April 8: vs. Washington Capitals (7:30 p.m. ET)
- Thursday, April 9: at New York Islanders (7:00 p.m. ET)
- Saturday, April 11: vs. Florida Panthers (7:00 p.m. ET)
