Despite a seven-game war with the Florida Panthers, the Toronto Maple Leafs once again ended their playoff run in familiar fashion—full of promise but ultimately falling short. Some fans insist they were close. Others are convinced the team folded, again, under pressure. Whether it’s frustration with Mitch Marner, concern about Auston Matthews’ leadership, or questions about who stays and who goes, the fan base is deeply divided.
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But one thing is clear: the Maple Leafs face a defining offseason. Painful decisions are looming, and fans have questions. Over the past few days, I’ve been reading the comments on Maple Leafs posts on The Hockey Writers. Here, I’ve collated four key questions fans are asking about their team as they head into their offseason.
Question 1. Did the Panthers Win It, or Did the Maple Leafs Give It Away?
There’s real disagreement about how the series unfolded. Some fans credit Florida for waking up after the first period of Game 3, finding their playoff gear, and turning the tide. Others argue the Maple Leafs had control and failed to deliver the knockout blow in Game 3.
Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
One turning point keeps coming up. That’s the elbow on Anthony Stolarz that knocked him out of the series. It may have galvanized the Panthers and given them the series’ edge. Whatever happened, the Maple Leafs never found another gear. After falling behind in the series two games to one, the Maple Leafs scored just four goals in their final four games. That’s not just bad luck. That’s a pattern.
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Whether it was Florida’s pushback or Toronto’s collapse, the result is the same: another season cut short. But the question remains: was Stolarz’s injury the tipping point of the series for the Maple Leafs?
Question 2. Are the Core Four Capable of Leading This Team Anywhere?
The “Core Four” debate is hotter than ever. Matthews and William Nylander had standout moments, but not enough of them. Marner and John Tavares were often invisible. That’s the narrative anyway, and it’s not going away.
Many fans argue the group lacks the emotional leadership needed to elevate others. They are unlike the Panthers, who have Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Bennett, or Brad Marchand. They see a team that folds under pressure, not one that fights through it.
As usual, Marner is taking the brunt of the fans’ criticism. Some point to his lack of playoff production, others to his unwillingness to engage physically, and still others to his visible frustration when things don’t go his way. Other fans push back, noting he’s one of the all-time Maple Leafs playoff point leaders. Still, the sentiment is growing: his time in Toronto might be over, whether he wants it or not.
Here, the question remains: is losing a couple of pieces of the Core Four an addition by subtraction? Are the Maple Leafs better off if Marner and Tavares land somewhere else?
Question 3. Should the Maple Leafs Even Try to Re-Sign Mitch Marner?
This is quickly becoming the most contentious question of the offseason. With just one year left on his contract, the Maple Leafs face a crossroads: do they try to re-sign Marner (even if he wants to return) or move on from him?
Reports (Elliotte Friedman on his 32 Thoughts Podcast) suggested that Marner refused to waive his no-move clause at the trade deadline. The decision to let him walk might now sit with the front office. Even if that isn’t the case, if Marner wouldn’t consider a trade and isn’t willing to sign for less, what choice does Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving have?
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Some fans sympathize. Marner is a hometown kid, deeply rooted in Toronto, with close family ties and a strong presence in the community. Others are blunt: they see him as a player who shrinks in the playoffs, whose high cap hit ($10.9 million) doesn’t match his impact when it matters most. While some fans don’t want to lose him for nothing, re-signing him raises concerns. What’s the correct number for a player whose regular-season brilliance is often followed by playoff frustration?
If Marner won’t take a significant discount, and who can imagine he would (although his back hasn’t been against the wall in terms of leaving), some fans believe the team shouldn’t even bother trying. They’d rather see the space go to players who bring a different edge—and (they think) a different result.
Here, the question remains: even if Marner wants to play in Toronto and would be willing to take a hometown discount, should the team avoid re-signing him?
Question 4. Is the Maple Leafs Leadership Group Part of the Problem?
It’s not just about talent anymore—it’s about tone. Fans are asking: where’s the fire? Where’s the edge? Tavares still produces, but does he inspire? Many see him as a quiet, stabilizing presence, not a galvanizing one. Some fans want him back on a discount deal in a bottom-six role. Others say it’s time to move on.
Morgan Rielly is facing criticism, too. After Marner, he’s one of the most polarizing of all Maple Leafs players. It’s not about his effort for some fans—he played well in the postseason. Other fans believe he no longer fits the structure the team is trying to build. Some fans think he should be waived despite his no-move clause. Others want to reduce his role significantly.
While Matthews is elite, he isn’t immune. Some fans wonder if he is a leader. One fan assessed the situation and noted that Matthews was great when the team won, but “who’s pulling us through the storm?” The question remains: Where is the leadership the team needs to get through the tough times?
What’s Next for the Maple Leafs?
The Shanaplan is over. Treliving and whoever fills Brendan Shanahan’s role must reshape the team’s identity. But Maple Leafs fans have made it clear that the status quo is no longer acceptable. They are demanding real change, not cosmetic tweaks. Whether that means breaking up the core, signing tougher free agents, or shifting the leadership dynamic in the room, this offseason could shape the next decade of Toronto hockey.
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The clock is ticking. Are the Maple Leafs a team in decline? And, given all that’s happening with the team after their second-round exit, will they even be able to attract good players to sign on? Perhaps that’s the biggest of all the questions. Does anyone want to play in Toronto anymore?
