These “fresh sheet” posts don’t generally come during the actual season. There’s lots of things to talk about, such as solid first games from Anthony Stolarz and Morgan Rielly, the play of the newest Leafs and/or how the biggest 2026 free agents (McDavid, Eichel, Connor etc) are all starting to re-sign with their teams. As it stands next years crop of free agents is headlined by Artemi Panarin, Martin Necas, Adrian Kempe and Alex Tuch, but I wouldn’t expect many (any?) to actually make it to July 1st.
The reason I’m not going to write about all of this? Life is busy, which means I missed all of the preseason games and most of the season opener. I could share the opinions of others as my own, but instead I’ll simply reserve judgement until I can properly watch a few games from this new-look group.
What I will say is, from what I did see, the Leafs look big, strong and while they aren’t playing a punishing style of hockey, they are playing a heavy game. Considering this rings true while Sammy Blais and Scott Laughton, two players that can provoke the opposition, are on the sidelines, bodes well for physicality level we can expect to see from the Leafs this year.
The Dubas era was officially closed long ago, but it gives me pleasure to say it again.
Last note: If Bobby McMann can continue to play like he did on Wednesday, nobody else currently on the team has a chance at supplanting him on Tavares and Nylander’s wing and he’ll have a career year. Also, while I like McMann and what he brings, I do hope a career year at his age doesn’t earn him a bloated contract.
Enjoy your Friday folks!!