The Maple Leafs Just Fixed the Biggest Flaw in Their Power Play

For years, the Toronto Maple Leafs’ power play has followed a familiar script: get the puck to Auston Matthews, find William Nylander, and hope the stars can solve whatever the penalty kill throws at them. It’s not uncommon in the NHL for elite stars to do the heavy lifting on the man advantage, and when it works, it’s a thing of beauty. In Toronto, it worked well enough to make the Maple Leafs’ power play one of the NHL’s best for years.

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That’s until it wasn’t.

Like anything that telegraphs its moveset, opponents figured out the pattern. Once they took away the obvious options, the Leafs often didn’t have a clear Plan B. That might have changed this summer with a key trade and free agency signing.

Darren Raddysh is Toronto’s New Power Play Weapon

As the Maple Leafs get ready to head into the 2026-27 season, defenseman Darren Raddysh is a player to watch. Specifically, his power-play ability gives Toronto more than roster depth. After scoring 10 power-play goals for Tampa Bay last season, Raddysh gives Toronto something it’s lacked — a legitimate shooting threat from the point.

Toronto still has Matthews and Nylander. Raddysh, however, brings something Morgan Rielly didn’t. His booming shot and threat to score at any time change how penalty kills have to defend the Leafs’ overall setup. They can no longer simply collapse toward Matthews and Nylander without leaving Raddysh open for a shot from distance.

Do that, and he’ll make you pay.

Teams won’t have to look out for just Raddysh. The team’s new No. 1 overall prospect, Gavin McKenna, adds a different kind of threat. As Professors Press Box points out, “He is a creative playmaker who can see passing lanes that other players don’t always see.” All the while, John Tavares and Matthew Knies continue to provide net-front options. The Leafs also have a strong second unit. With Rielly, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Jack Roslovic and Easton Cowan, the second unit gives new coach Jim Hiller a chance to rest the top group.

In theory, that means a power play with real options. The Leafs haven’t had that in some time. They’ve been going with Plan A, then Plan A again.

For the first time in years, Toronto’s Plan B could matter.

Next: What Big Adjustments Will Gavin McKenna Face in Toronto?