TORONTO (Sep. 18) — Training camp in the National Hockey League is a time of whimsical hope.

Invariably, players speak the same language — almost to a word — when encountering the media on Day 1 of the annual slog. Everything is rosy… and only good things can happen. It’s that way now, as it was in 1993, when I began covering the Toronto Maple Leafs, home and away, for The FAN–590. Only the names and faces change.

Accordingly, the Leafs kicked off training on Wednesday by saying everything we’ve come to expect. Particularly in this puzzling era of strong regular seasons and wimpish playoffs. No matter the words spoken, Toronto enters the 2025–26 schedule minus two essential ingredients: playoff leadership and, yet again, a true No. 1 defenseman. The latter deficit — a killer for Stanley Cup aspiration — is now in its 45th consecutive season, dating to 1979–80, when the late Borje Salming contended for the Norris Trophy. How an established team, with roots going back 108 years, can persist so indefinitely without a blue line ace is incomprehensible. But, it is definitely the Maple Leafs’ way. Also missing, beyond much debate, is a warhorse to carry the club once the playoffs begin.

It won’t happen with the Leafs counting on Auston Matthews. This was apparent, once more, in the captain’s blather, Wednesday, when asked to comment on the ritual playoff flops since 2018: “There is nothing we can do about that now. Everybody obviously tried their best.” If the players “tried their best” in the Game 5 and 7 disasters against Florida last May, the Leafs are in more trouble than any of us can imagine. But, that’s what you get from No. 34 — constantly, and in lieu of culpability. Auston has never shown a trace of fire or distress after withering in the Stanley Cup hunt. It’s always on to next year and… “we’ll be better.” Believe that, again, at your own risk.

Also unanswered is why — if chronically plagued last season — did Matthews take part in the 4Nations tournament rather than resting his weary frame for a Stanley Cup pursuit. And, how the veteran was able to perform, until the final seconds of the event, at an MVP–type level… only to go missing, yet again, when the Leafs needed him most against the Panthers. It’s an ongoing mystery that has never been explained… by the player or the club.

HOW CAN THE LEAFS COMPENSATE FOR LOSING MITCH MARNER? JUST LOOK AT THIS PHOTO.

Morgan Rielly, who should have been captain of the Leafs since 2012, is venturing to rebound from an awful season in which he meekly surrendered the puck and declined, offensively. A premier soldier during the Core–4 era, effort was rarely an issue with the longest–serving Maple Leaf. But, he’s now 31 years old — three or four years past his biological prime — and has only once (a 72–point season in 2018–19) ventured close to the truly elite blueliners. Even while habitually raising performance in the playoffs, Rielly could not provide the Leafs a kingpin such as Cale Makar, Victor Hedman, Duncan Keith, Drew Doughty, Alex Pietrangelo or Aaron Ekblad. All of whom have lifted the Stanley Cup at least once. Granted, such figures hardly grow on trees and, almost always, must be drafted and developed. But, rest assured the Leafs will not challenge to end the longest Cup famine without one.

Also inexplicable is why the Maple Leafs believe the outcome can be different when the deficits, each year, remain the same. Or, maybe management and the players don’t believe it is possible, and simply say otherwise.

The wild card stands between the pipes. For how long, none of us can predict as Anthony Stolarz is a China doll. Should he somehow remain undamaged, however, his goaltending can compensate for shortages elsewhere.

Almost never in the expansion (or post–1967) era has a Leaf stopper performed as soundly as did Stolarz in 34 appearances last season. His numbers were off the charts: a .926 save percentage and 2.14 goals–against average (with a record of 21–8–3). Countless people wonder how the Maple Leafs can make up for the creativity and 100 points lost with Mitch Marner’s exodus to Las Vegas. Here’s the answer. Everyone thinks the forwards need to fill the production void. I’m of a different opinion. If Stolarz can effectively play 55 to 60 games, it could mitigate Marner’s absence. Keeping the puck out of the net, especially in the playoffs, is more critical than scoring goals.

Maybe with Stolarz, the Maple Leafs find that slim edge and knock off the Panthers in Round 2 last spring.

Of course, we’ll never know. Sam Bennett saw to that with a sneaky elbow that finished the goalie’s season.

If Stolarz is still standing in late May of next year, so, too, could the Leafs.

ADDING TO THE COLLECTION…

 
JUST ARRIVED IN THE MAIL… IN IMMACULATE CONDITION FOR A 65–YEAR–OLD ITEM.

THE CAPTAIN TURNS 75

It’s difficult to fathom that 50 years has passed since Darryl Sittler replaced Dave Keon as captain of the Maple Leafs. Sittler, who turned 75 today, was 25 when he embarked on the greatest season, to that juncture, in franchise history. In 1975–76, Darryl became the first Toronto skater to accrue 100 points. Coach Red Kelly placed him on a forward line between Lanny McDonald and Errol Thompson. That trio evolved into the most–potent in club annals, combining for 273 points (121 goals and 152 assists). Sittler was 41–59–100. McDonald, 37–56–93. Thompson, 43–37–80.

When Sittler, McDonald and Thompson took the ice with Borje Salming and Ian Turnbull on defence, the Leafs were quite unstoppable. Such as the legendary night (Feb. 7, 1976) that Sittler erupted for 10 points (six goals, four assists) against the Boston Bruins; his total still a single–game record in the NHL. And, the quarterfinal playoff match (Apr. 22, 1976) against Philadelphia when Darryl scored a record–tying five goals on former Leafs teammate Bernie Parent.

Both games occurred at Maple Leaf Gardens.

Today, Sittler remains in the spotlight as a spokesperson and ambassador for the hockey club.

EMAIL: HOWARDLBERGER@GMAIL.COM