MLSE CEO Keith Pelley says Maple Leafs will do whatever is needed to contend in 2025-26
“The 2025-26 season for the Maple Leafs, so far, has been a series of ups and downs,” Pelley wrote in his release, “And, unfortunately with a number of key injuries that have affected the team, we are not currently in the position we had anticipated, but that is professional sports. This team has made the playoffs nine seasons in a row, the longest streak in the NHL and something to be proud of, but as I have said since joining the organization, our goal is to not just make the playoffs, and we will do whatever is needed for this team to make the next step.
While the sentiment about the Maple Leafs’ bad luck with the injury bug is factual, there have been many other indicators that the team isn’t best-poised to be a regular deadline buyer like they usually are. Not only are they deprived of trade assets, but they’re near the bottom of the league in a lot of defensive categories such as goals-against per-game (sixth-last) and shots-against per game (dead last). Despite this, Pelley believes that the return from the Olympic break could represent a turn of the calendar for the Maple Leafs to start fresh and get to where they want to be.
“We understand this team’s strengths, as well as the areas we need to address, and we know that with the support of our fans, we will achieve this ultimate goal together,” Pelley continued. “While we always strive to be as open as possible, I know that you understand, in the world of professional sports, protecting competitive advantages is paramount and limits our ability to reveal team strategy until the appropriate time.”
One thing is certain, with the Boston Bruins owning the Maple Leafs’ first-round pick this year, the front office certainly doesn’t want to mail it in, and you know the players don’t, either. In a timeline that’s seen everybody get used to the Leafs more-or-less coasting to the playoffs, it will be fascinating to follow this team’s performance into the deadline and throughout the home stretch of the season.