Toronto Maple Leafs

Maple Leafs Fans Are Feeling Better for the Future. Should They?

Maple Leafs fans are a little more confident in John Chayka, but the new GM still has plenty to prove before that optimism is justified.

by
Old Prof
August 20, 2026

In a review of how confident fans are in their team’s front office, the Toronto Maple Leafs ranked 24th in 2025 but are now 21st. That feels about right. This team is coming off a pretty poor season, and the biggest takeaway from Leafs Nation seems to be simple: at least Brad Treliving isn’t running the show anymore.

That doesn’t automatically mean John Chayka will fix everything. His track record in Arizona wasn’t exactly flawless, and that’s still the main reference point we have when judging him. We don’t really know yet if he’s a smart, aggressive builder or someone who just likes making moves for the sake of making moves. We also don’t know how much influence the new corporate decision-makers will have over the hockey department.

Maple Leafs Fans Are More Optimistic Now Than They’ve Been for Seasons

Still, it’s hard not to feel a little more optimistic. Chayka has been active. And unlike Treliving, he appears willing to actually change the roster instead of simply rearranging the same pieces. There’s already a bit of a plan starting to take shape, even if we’re nowhere near knowing whether it’ll work.

The biggest positive so far has been the move for Darren Raddysh. Was it expensive? Yes. Was it risky? Also Yes. But after seeing what other defensemen were paid, the deal looks a lot more reasonable. If Raddysh can provide the puck-moving ability and offensive production he showed last season, then paying him an AAV in the Jacob Trouba range could make sense for a Maple Leafs team that desperately needs more from its blue line.

How Good Can Emil Andrae Become?

Bringing in Emil Andrae and moving on from Simon Benoit also feel like steps in the right direction. The short-term contracts handed out to most of the new additions are another reason to feel at least somewhat comfortable with the approach. Chayka is taking chances, but he doesn’t seem to be locking the team into a bunch of impossible contracts.

The concerns are mostly up front. Some of the forwards brought in look overpriced, with Colton Sissons standing out as one of the bigger question marks. The Sergei Bobrovsky signing is another gamble. There’s still a chance he bounces back, but the cost and term are tough to ignore after such a rough season.

How Good Can This Maple Leafs Team Become?

Overall, there’s probably more to like than dislike. But the real verdict will come when we see whether Chayka has actually built a better hockey team or simply a different one. At least for the first time in a while, there’s a little hope back in Toronto.