If you’re walking down Bay Street in 2026, the mood is... well, it’s typical Toronto. One night we're planning a parade, the next we're wondering if we should trade everyone for a bag of pucks. But honestly, looking at the actual roster of Toronto Maple Leafs players right now, things feel fundamentally different than they did a couple of years ago. The "Core Four" era isn't gone, exactly, but it has certainly evolved into something more rugged.
Auston Matthews has the "C" on his sweater now. That happened back in 2024, and while it felt like a massive earthquake at the time, it's just reality now. He’s the undisputed engine. But if you think this team is still just a bunch of fancy-skating millionaires who won’t go into the corners, you haven't been watching Craig Berube’s system.
The lineup is a weird, fascinating mix of high-end elite talent and "Berube-style" heavy hitters.
The Forwards: Beyond the Big Stars
Let's talk about the top of the food chain. Auston Matthews is still doing Matthews things—leading the team in goals and basically living in the opposition's slot. Beside him, William Nylander has turned into perhaps the most consistent threat on the wing. Willy is currently leading the team in points with 48 as we hit the mid-January stretch. He’s shifty, he’s faster than he looks, and he finally seems to have found that extra gear Berube was asking for.
Then there’s the John Tavares situation. At 35, he’s not the primary "The Guy" anymore, but he's still incredibly effective as an alternate captain. He’s chipping in 17 goals and holding down that second-line center spot with a veteran presence that you just can't manufacture.
But look at the guys around them. That's where the real story of the roster of Toronto Maple Leafs is this year.
Matthew Knies has basically turned into a 6'3" wrecking ball with hands. He’s been a staple on the top line, using that massive frame to clear space for Matthews. Then you've got the new additions that have changed the "vibe" of the bottom six. Nicolas Roy—acquired in the massive Mitch Marner trade—is exactly what this team lacked for years. He’s a big, right-handed center who can actually play defense. Seeing him out there against other teams' top lines is a breath of fresh air for fans who used to hold their breath every time the stars went to the bench.
- Matias Maccelli: The kid from the Utah trade is a playmaking wizard. He's been feeding Tavares and Knies all season.
- Bobby McMann: He's the guy people forget about until he hits someone through the glass. He’s got 40 penalty minutes already and 20 goals.
- Easton Cowan: The 20-year-old is finally sticking. He’s got that "rat" energy the Leafs have missed since Darcy Tucker retired.
- Scott Laughton: A classic veteran add. He brings that Philly grit to the fourth line and kills penalties like a man possessed.
Current Forward Depth Chart (Mid-January 2026)
The lines are a bit of a moving target right now because of injuries. William Nylander is currently dealing with a lower-body issue—expected back around January 19—and Dakota Joshua is on long-term IR with a scary lacerated kidney.
When healthy, you're looking at McMann-Matthews-Domi as a frequent look, or sometimes Knies moves up there. The second line usually features Maccelli-Tavares-Knies. The third line is where things get heavy with Cowan, Nicolas Roy, and Nicholas Robertson. The fourth line is a rotation of Steven Lorentz, Scott Laughton, and Calle Jarnkrok.
It’s a deep group. It’s a loud group.
The Blueline: No More Soft Minutes
If there was a "Leafs Problem" for a decade, it was the defense. It was always too small or too slow. Well, Brad Treliving basically went out and bought a bunch of refrigerators.
Chris Tanev is the heart of the shutdown pair. Even at 36, he’s still eating pucks for breakfast. Unfortunately, he’s currently on the shelf with a groin injury that has the front office sweating—there’s talk about surgery, which could put his regular season at risk. That's a huge blow.
In his absence, Jake McCabe has stepped up in a massive way. He’s a +21 right now. That isn't a fluke. He’s playing the most physical hockey of his career.
Then you have Morgan Rielly. He’s the longest-tenured Leaf, the veteran "A," and still the guy who moves the puck better than anyone else on the squad. He’s paired with Brandon Carlo, who provides that 6'5" safety net Rielly needs to join the rush.
The rest of the d-corps:
Simon Benoit is a fan favorite for a reason. He hits everything that moves. He's currently day-to-day with an upper-body thing, but when he's in, the opposition knows it. Oliver Ekman-Larsson has been a savvy veteran signing, providing secondary scoring with 28 points so far. And let's not overlook Philippe Myers and Troy Stecher, who provide that necessary depth when the injury bug bites.
The Crease: Woll vs. Stolarz
Goaltending used to be where Toronto dreams went to die. Not in 2026. Joseph Woll has finally stayed healthy enough to prove he’s a legit NHL starter. He’s got 11 wins and has been the backbone during this January stretch.
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Anthony Stolarz has been out since November with an upper-body injury, but the big news is he’s finally back on the ice. He’s traveling with the team on their Midwest road trip. Having that 6'6" frame back in the rotation is going to be huge for the stretch run.
And don't sleep on Dennis Hildeby. "The Submarine" is 6'7" and has shown he can handle the pressure when called up from the Marlies.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Roster
The biggest misconception is that this team is still "soft."
It's not.
Under Craig Berube, the roster of Toronto Maple Leafs has become one of the league leaders in hits. They aren't just out-skating teams; they're wearing them down. Adding guys like Dakota Joshua and Brandon Carlo has changed the DNA. They are much harder to play against in their own zone, even if the "Goals Against" numbers sometimes look inflated because of a few bad games (like that 6-1 blowout against Utah recently).
The salary cap is also surprisingly manageable. They have about $25 million in space for the next summer, but for right now, they are utilizing LTIR effectively to keep this deep roster together.
Actionable Insights for the Season
If you're following this team into the playoffs, keep an eye on these three things:
- The Tanev Health Factor: If Chris Tanev needs surgery, the Leafs need to trade for a top-four defenseman immediately. They cannot survive a playoff run without his shot-blocking.
- Special Teams: The power play still relies on the Matthews-Nylander-Tavares-Knies-Rielly unit. If that stalls, the team stalls.
- The Marlies Pipeline: Keep an eye on guys like Fraser Minten or Nikita Grebenkin. If injuries continue, these are the names that will be filling the gaps.
The 2026 Maple Leafs are a team built for May, not just October. Whether that actually results in a parade remains to be seen, but the roster is certainly built for the fight.
To stay updated on the latest lineup changes, check the daily transaction wire, as Treliving has been very active moving players like Matt Benning and Marshall Rifai between the AHL and the big club to manage the cap.