"Earlier on In the 2025-26 NHL season when the Toronto Maple Leafs were struggling in almost every aspect of the game, it seemed like they needed help in just about everything. Whether it was their unstable goaltending, leaky defense, or inept offense, it felt like the Maple Leafs needed to make multiple moves to hopefully help turn the team around before they would fall off the face of the earth."
"However, with their recent strong play, the Maple Leafs has suddenly seen a significant uptick in play by their offense, defense and goaltending at the same time, save for their throw-away game against the Utah Mammoth on Tuesday. In doing so, the team was finally on the same page with all things suddenly clicking even better than expected. Are the Maple Leafs just one move away from perfecting their roster for the playoffs?"
"Starting with goaltending, the tandem of Joseph Woll and Dennis Hildeby has looked good in recent weeks, helping to provide much-needed consistency and stability in net for the Leafs. With their heroics, they have been able to pull out some wins in games they appeared destined to lose. With Anthony Stolarz on his way to potentially returning in a couple of weeks, Toronto should be more than fine with the trio that they have going forward."
"As for the defense, Brandon Carlo has fitted in nicely with Morgan Rielly since returning from injury, while Jake McCabe/Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Simon Benoit/Troy Stecher have formed strong pairings to round out their much-improved defensive core. Adding someone like a Dougie Hamilton obviously would boost the team, but who do you take out of the everyday lineup? Stecher would probably be the obvious one likely"
Early in 2025-26 the Maple Leafs struggled in net, on the blue line, and offensively, appearing to need multiple roster changes. Recent strong play improved offense, defense, and goaltending simultaneously, aside from one throw-away game. Joseph Woll and Dennis Hildeby supplied much-needed consistency and stole games that looked lost. Anthony Stolarz could return in a couple of weeks, completing a dependable three-goalie group. Brandon Carlo has paired effectively with Morgan Rielly; Jake McCabe/Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Simon Benoit/Troy Stecher have also formed strong defensive units. Acquiring a top defenseman like Dougie Hamilton would help, but the team would need to remove an everyday player, with Stecher as the likeliest candidate.
Read at Editor In Leaf
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