Christine: If you think the Toronto Maple Leafs have a clear-cut top-six center group, you haven’t looked at the depth chart since free agency. We are staring down a logjam of talent, veteran competition, and one rookie who is already talking big. Stay with us.
Christine: Welcome to the Beatline Podcast Network, I’m Christine. This is the daily show where we break down every angle of your favorite teams, and today we are deep in the weeds with the Toronto Maple Leafs roster battles. Jason, it’s September 3rd, so that means training camp is looming, and the headlines are wild.
Jason: That’s right, Christine. And as we discussed yesterday, the organizational shakeup is real. Hayley Wickenheiser is out, Daniel Alfredsson is in, and now we have to figure out where everyone fits on the ice. It’s a fresh start for the staff, but a familiar problem for the fans: who actually makes this team?
Christine: Exactly. So here is what we’re tackling today. First, we’re breaking down the most critical position battle in Toronto right now: the center ice rotation. Second, we’ll look at the defensive corps, specifically the clash between experience and youth. And finally, we’re making our final roster cut predictions, including the goalie situation we talked about last time.
Jason: And remember, we’ve got the season opener against the Montreal Canadiens coming up on September 29th. If we stick to our prediction from two days ago, Matthews needs to be locked in early. But first, let’s talk about the chaos in the middle of the ice.
Christine: Alright, Segment One. The Centers. Look at this list. Auston Matthews, John Tavares, William Nylander—wait, he’s listed as RW here—but then you have Max Domi, Teddy Blueger, Colton Sissons, Jack Roslovic, Steven Lorentz, Dakota Joshua, Zack MacEwen, Vinni Lettieri, Bo Groulx, and Ryan Tverberg. That is... a lot of centers.
Jason: It’s overwhelming if you just count names, Christine. But tactically, this is interesting. You have your core three: Matthews, Tavares, and Nylander. Nylander being listed as RW opens up some flexibility, but his playmaking is best utilized when he can cut inside. The real battle isn't for those spots; it's for the fourth and fifth lines.
Christine: Right. So who wins the fourth line job? You’ve got Teddy Blueger, who is a grinder, versus someone like Dakota Joshua or maybe even Colton Sissons returning to form. Where do they fit?
Jason: Blueger is the safe bet for the bottom six because of his penalty kill and defensive zone coverage. He doesn't need the puck much; he just needs to win board battles and clear space. But if Daniel Alfredsson wants more forechecking pressure, guys like Joshua or even Sissons might offer more physicality than Blueger.
Christine: But what about the rookies? Gavin McKenna was just at the NHLPA Rookie Showcase setting goals. Is there any chance he pushes into this mix immediately, or is he strictly AHL?
Jason: McKenna is the number one overall pick from the 2026 Draft. He’s got skill, but looking at the sheer volume of veterans here—Lorentz, MacEwen, Lettieri—they all have NHL experience. Unless McKenna dominates camp, he’s likely starting in the minors to adjust to the pro game. It’s a smart move for his development.
Christine: Makes sense. So the hierarchy is Matthews-Tavares-Nylander, then Blueger/Sissons/Joshua fighting for the next two spots. What about the sixth line? Who’s the odd man out?
Jason: I’d put Zack MacEwen in the fight for the sixth spot. He’s physical, he scores occasional goals, and he fits the modern NHL forward mold. But if the coaching staff wants speed over size, Ryan Tverberg or Bo Groulx could sneak in. It’s going to come down to special teams usage.
Christine: So, Blueger and MacEwen seem like the favorites for the bottom six roles, with Sissons and Joshua providing depth. It’s a crowded room, Jason. There’s no easy answer here.
Jason: None at all. That’s why these preseason games are so vital. You see who handles the neutral-zone pressure better. If the top lines get shut down, the bottom six has to generate offense, and right now, the Leafs have plenty of bodies who can try.
Christine: Let’s stick with us after the break. We’re moving to the blue line, where Chris Tanev and Oliver Ekman-Larsson are facing off against younger defenders like Cole McWard and Morgan Rielly’s partner. Don’t go anywhere.
Christine: Welcome back. Segment Two: The Defense Corps. This is where the roster feels deeper, but also more complex. You have Morgan Rielly anchoring the top pair, obviously. Then you’ve got Chris Tanev, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Jake McCabe, Darren Raddysh, Cole McWard, Philippe Myers, and Troy Stecher. Plus Emil Andrae.
Jason: This is a classic 'too many good players' problem, but with a twist. Tanev and Ekman-Larsson bring a level of defensive stability that the Leafs have been missing in recent years. They aren't flashy, but they don't make mistakes. That’s huge for a team trying to climb out of eighth in the Atlantic.
Christine: So how does Rielly slot in with them? Usually, he’s paired with a mobile defenseman. Does Tanev stay on the second pair with Ekman-Larsson?
Jason: I think you want to keep the veterans together to stabilize the third pair. So Rielly stays top-side, likely with someone like Raddysh or McWard. The battle is really for the remaining four spots. McCabe is a lock for minutes because he kills penalties, but who joins him?
Christine: Philippe Myers seems like the odd man out. He’s big, but is he fast enough for this system?
Jason: That’s my concern too. Myers struggles with quick transitions. In the neutral zone, if you can’t handle the puck under pressure, you’re a liability. I think Cole McWard or Darren Raddysh offers more mobility. The Leafs need to be able to exit the zone cleanly.
Christine: So, Rielly-Raddysh/McWard, Tanev-Ekman-Larsson, McCabe-and-someone-else. Who is that 'someone else'?
Jason: I’d lean toward Troy Stecher or Emil Andrae. Stecher is reliable, knows the system, and can play both ways. Andrae is young and has upside, which fits the Alfredsson era of building for the future. But Stecher might win the job initially because he’s proven.
Christine: What about the power play? With all these defensemen, how do they distribute the points?
Jason: Rielly is the quarterback, no question. Ekman-Larsson has a great shot from the point, so he’s likely the second unit starter. Tanev is more of a distributor from the back end. The key will be getting the puck into the high slot quickly. If the forwards like Matthews and Nylander can’t find seam passing lanes, the D-men won’t matter as much.
Christine: It sounds like the defensive structure is actually stronger than it’s been in a while. Tanev and Ekman-Larsson are stabilizing forces. Do you think that helps the goalies?
Jason: Absolutely. Better gap control and better clearing of rebounds means fewer scramble goals. If the defense plays their assignment hockey, Sergei Bobrovsky and Anthony Stolarz should see a significant reduction in high-danger chances against.
Christine: We’re running out of time on this segment. One last thing: does Philippe Myers have any path to making the team if he starts strong in camp?
Jason: Only if someone gets injured. Otherwise, I think he’s playing in the AHL. The Leafs need speed on the backend, and he just doesn’t have it right now. It’s a tough pill to swallow for a fanbase used to keeping big bodies around.
Christine: Okay, so the top four is Rielly, Tanev, Ekman-Larsson, McCabe. The bottom two is a battle between Stecher, Raddysh, McWard, and Andrae. Got it. Up next, we’re predicting the final cuts. Who’s staying, who’s going? Stick around.
Christine: Segment Three: Final Cuts and Trending Players. We know the organization is changing. Daniel Alfredsson is the new associate coach, bringing a different perspective. Hayley Wickenheiser is gone. How does that impact who makes the final 23-man roster?
Jason: Alfredsson is known for detail-oriented coaching. He’s going to demand accountability. That means players who rely on talent alone without defensive responsibility are in trouble. Looking at the roster, I think the trend is moving toward two-way players.
Christine: So who’s trending up? Who’s definitely making the team?
Jason: Matthew Knies is trending up. He’s young, he’s hungry, and he fits the physical style Alfredsson likes. On the blue line, Cole McWard is trending up because of his mobility. And for goalies, Samuel Hlavaj might be the surprise name. Remember our prediction from yesterday? Bobrovsky and Stolarz start, but Hlavaj is the backup. Wait, did we say Hlavaj goes to the AHL?
Christine: Yes! We said Hlavaj would be assigned to the AHL. So he’s not on the final roster. Right?
Jason: Correct. So the two goalies are Bobrovsky and Stolarz. That means we need to fill the forward spots. I think Bo Groulx is trending up. He’s a rookie with skills, and if he shows he can contribute offensively in camp, he might edge out a veteran like Lettieri for that final roster spot.
Christine: Interesting. So Lettieri is trending down? He’s been around for a while.
Jason: He’s a journeyman. Without a specific role defined, he’s vulnerable. If he can’t win a spot on the power play or penalty kill, he’s the first call-up option, not a roster player. Same goes for Ryan Tverberg. He’s talented, but is he better than Groulx or McKenna?
Christine: So my final roster prediction: Matthews, Tavares, Nylander, Blueger, Sissons, Knies, Joshua, MacEwen, Duhaime, Paul, Andrae, Raddysh, McWard, Rielly, Tanev, Ekman-Larsson, McCabe, Stecher, Bobrovsky, Stolarz. Everyone else is sent down or released.
Jason: That’s a solid 23-man roster. It balances size, speed, and experience. The only risk is if injuries hit early. But if healthy, this group has the talent to challenge for a playoff spot. The key is chemistry. Can Alfredsson gel these pieces quickly?
Christine: We’ll find out soon. The season starts September 29th against Montreal. If our prediction holds, Matthews scores two, the Leafs win 4-2. But until then, these roster battles define the team.
Jason: Agreed. Keep an eye on the neutral zone play in camp. That’s where the season will be won or lost. If the defense communicates well, and the forwards forecheck hard, this team has a real shot.
Christine: That’s it for today’s episode. We broke down the center logjam, the defensive logjam, and made our final roster cuts. Thanks for listening to the Beatline Podcast Network.
Jason: Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review wherever you get your podcasts. Share this with a fellow Leaf fan.
Christine: Go Leafs Go!