Maple Leafs Seek Success Without Marner; Makar’s Next Contract Looms

The Toronto Maple Leafs are facing a significant challenge as they seek success without star player Mitch Marner in their lineup. Marner’s absence places added pressure on other key players, including Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and John Tavares. Each of these players has the capability to score, but one less scoring threat can affect the team’s overall performance.

Maple Leafs Power Play Struggles

The power play has been a considerable concern for the Maple Leafs this season. Currently, the team has managed to convert only 4 out of 33 power-play opportunities, a dismal rate compared to their success last season, which stood at 24.8%. The team ended up ranked eighth in the NHL for power-play success in 2022.

This season, there have been only 33 power plays in 13 games, resulting in an average of just 2.54 opportunities per game, placing them at 29th in the league. Additionally, their power-play ice time stands at just 4:17 per game, ranking 28th. These statistics highlight an ongoing issue that seems to transcend Marner’s impact, suggesting a larger team-wide problem that needs addressing.

Cale Makar’s Contract Speculations

As for the Colorado Avalanche, attention is turning to star defenseman Cale Makar and his contract situation. Makar is eligible to sign a new contract starting July 1, 2026, and speculation suggests he may negotiate an eight-year contract worth $128 million, translating to an average annual value of $16 million. This proposal is notably $8 million less than Kirill Kaprizov’s recent contract with the Minnesota Wild, which is valued at $136 million over eight years.

Makar’s timeline for re-signing falls right before the new Collective Bargaining Agreement takes effect on September 16, 2026, which will cap the maximum contract length for players re-signing to seven years. This provides a small window for Makar to secure a longer-term deal, an opportunity he seems poised to leverage.

Boston Bruins: A Core in Transition

The Boston Bruins are also navigating their own set of challenges. Despite locking in a strong core, including players like David Pastrnak and Charlie McAvoy, there are concerns about team depth and speed. The Bruins find themselves teetering between a rebuild and a playoff push.

• Forward Length of Contracts:
  • David Pastrnak
  • Elias Lindholm
  • Morgan Geekie
• Defensemen:
  • Charlie McAvoy
  • Hampus Lindholm
  • Nikita Zadorov
• Goaltender:
  • Jeremy Swayman

After losing Elias Lindholm to an injury, the team is in a precarious position. Players such as Marat Khusnutdinov and Fraser Minten are stepping up to fill roles but whether they can maintain stability remains to be seen. For the Bruins, consistent effort and defensive structure will be critical to their playoff aspirations.