Bildnummer: 14661756 Datum: 01.10.2013 Copyright: imago/Icon SMI 01 October 2013: The Toronto Maple Leafs celebrate their 4-3 win against the Montreal Canadiens during the NHL Eishockey Herren USA match at the Bell Centre in Montreal Quebec, Canada. NHL Eishockey Herren USA OCT 01 Maple Leafs at Canadiens PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxONLY Icon131001025; xdp x0x 2013 quer Image number 14661756 date 01 10 2013 Copyright imago Icon Smi 01 October 2013 The Toronto Maple Leafs Celebrate their 4 3 Win Against The Montreal Canadiens during The NHL Ice hockey men USA Match AT The Bell Centre in Montreal Quebec Canada NHL Ice hockey men USA OCT 01 Maple Leafs AT Canadiens PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxONLY x0x 2013 horizontal
Bildnummer: 14661756 Datum: 01.10.2013 Copyright: imago/Icon SMI 01 October 2013: The Toronto Maple Leafs celebrate their 4-3 win against the Montreal Canadiens during the NHL Eishockey Herren USA match at the Bell Centre in Montreal Quebec, Canada. NHL Eishockey Herren USA OCT 01 Maple Leafs at Canadiens PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxONLY Icon131001025; xdp x0x 2013 quer Image number 14661756 date 01 10 2013 Copyright imago Icon Smi 01 October 2013 The Toronto Maple Leafs Celebrate their 4 3 Win Against The Montreal Canadiens during The NHL Ice hockey men USA Match AT The Bell Centre in Montreal Quebec Canada NHL Ice hockey men USA OCT 01 Maple Leafs AT Canadiens PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxONLY x0x 2013 horizontal
The Toronto Maple Leafs have a lot to prove in the 2026 season. After all, they missed the playoffs for the first time since 2016. In case they are looking for motivation to erase the 2025 season history this season, a former Maple Leafs’ head coach shared doubts.
A hockey player himself from Toronto, Bruce Boudreau has made multiple head coaching stops, including the Washington Capitals and Anaheim Ducks among others. Even though he never held the head coaching seat in Toronto, he did not shy away from sharing his opinion about the Maple Leafs.
“I really don’t think they will. I want them to,” shared the former NHL head coach on the Leafs Morning Take podcast as posted on X on July 22.
October 12, 2016: Toronto Maple Leafs Center Auston Matthews (34) celebrates after scoring a goal during the NHL Eishockey Herren USA game between the Ottawa Senators and the Toronto Maple Leafs at Canadian Tires Centre in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Steve Kingsman/Icon Sportswire) NHL: OCT 12 Maple Leafs at Senators PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxONLY Icon161012017 October 12 2016 Toronto Maple Leafs Center Auston Matthews 34 Celebrates After Scoring A Goal during The NHL Ice hockey men USA Game between The Ottawa Senator and The Toronto Maple Leafs AT Canadian Tires Centre in Ottawa Ontario Canada Photo by Steve Kingsman Icon Sports Wire NHL OCT 12 Maple Leafs AT Senator PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxONLY
October 12, 2016: Toronto Maple Leafs Center Auston Matthews (34) celebrates after scoring a goal during the NHL Eishockey Herren USA game between the Ottawa Senators and the Toronto Maple Leafs at Canadian Tires Centre in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Steve Kingsman/Icon Sportswire) NHL: OCT 12 Maple Leafs at Senators PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxONLY Icon161012017 October 12 2016 Toronto Maple Leafs Center Auston Matthews 34 Celebrates After Scoring A Goal during The NHL Ice hockey men USA Game between The Ottawa Senator and The Toronto Maple Leafs AT Canadian Tires Centre in Ottawa Ontario Canada Photo by Steve Kingsman Icon Sports Wire NHL OCT 12 Maple Leafs AT Senator PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxONLY
During the conversation with Nick Alberga and Jay Rosehill, Boudreau also cited the reason why he feels so about the Maple Leafs.
“I just don’t think their defence is good enough yet,” Boudreau said during the podcast. “It’s old, and with 84 games it’s going to be tough sledding on those guys.
Boudreau acknowledged that head coach Craig Berube values strong defensive hockey, much like Jim Hiller did with the Los Angeles Kings. He is saying the coaching philosophy is sound.
However, to him, Toronto's defensemen may struggle to move the puck effectively from their own zone to the forwards.
The biggest uncertainty surrounds 36-year-old Chris Tanev, who is coming off an injury-hit season.
Toronto had one of the league's weakest defenses, surrendering 3.60 goals per game, the second-highest average in the NHL and the franchise's worst since the 1991-92 season.
However, for the Maple Leafs to return to playoff contention, it depends on multiple factors.
The factors on which Toronto Maple Leafs' playoff hopes rest
The Athletic’s Jonas Siegel noted the factors on which Maple Leafs’ playoff hopes for next season depend.
In his 69-goal season, Auston Matthews dominated from the mid-range with an NHL-best 23 goals and a 19% wrist-shot conversion rate. Over the past two seasons, he has totaled just 18 mid-range goals and shot 12% on wrist shots.
However, to enter the playoff berth next season, the captain will have to perform better. Other than the players, Jim Hiller is also a deciding factor.
Following Craig Berube's departure, the Leafs hired Jim Hiller. Whether that decision pays off remains uncertain, particularly with the highly accomplished Bruce Cassidy also interested in the position.
However, as Boudreau noted, even with a teenager, Gavin McKenna, the Leafs will end up being one of the oldest teams in the league next season.
Most of the roster is 30 or older, including both goalies and six expected defensemen. Adding another reliable player who is younger could help, whether at forward or on defense.
How do you think the Maple Leafs will perform in the upcoming season? Let us know in the comments.
Read more at NHL Fan Central.
Written by
Soheli Tarafdar
Edited by
Soheli Tarafdar