Maple Leafs could find biggest rival in Montreal Canadiens

"The Toronto Maple Leafs have two significantly tough Atlantic Division opponents in the Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers. However, there's a caveat with both Florida teams. The Lightning have a talented but aging core that may run out of steam at any point. Thus far, they look strong, but there's no telling how much they have left in the tank."

"That being said, the Maple Leafs' biggest divisional rival may be the Montreal Canadiens. The Canadiens, much like the Ottawa Senators, have built a young core based on high-end talent. The Habs' rebuild has yielded numerous rising stars like Lane Hutson, Ivan Demidov, and Oliver Kapanen. Cole Caufield is already an established star, while Juraj Slafkovsky may be looking to finally deliver on his first-overall pedigree."

"The Canadiens have also added great complementary pieces like Zack Bolduc, Kirby Dach, and Noah Dobson. That core, anchored by captain Nick Suzuki, looks like it could be the real deal for more, just a couple of seasons. Unless the wheels somehow fall off the club, the Canadiens look poised to rise in the Eastern Conference, riding pure, young talent. That situation may imply a tough challenge for the Toronto Maple Leafs, as the Leafs aren't exactly the youngest club in the league."

The Maple Leafs face strong Atlantic Division rivals in the Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers, though the Lightning rely on an aging core and the Panthers have been hampered by major injuries. The Montreal Canadiens have developed a talented, youthful core featuring Lane Hutson, Ivan Demidov, Oliver Kapanen, Cole Caufield, and Juraj Slafkovsky, complemented by additions like Zack Bolduc, Kirby Dach, and Noah Dobson and led by Nick Suzuki. The Canadiens appear poised to rise in the Eastern Conference. The Canadiens also have a precarious goaltending situation, with Samuel Montembeault serving as the current starter and Jakub Dobes showing brief promise.

Read at Editor In Leaf