Coming out of the Olympic break, nothing has changed regarding the sense around the Toronto Maple Leafs’ 2025–26 season. Fans, players and management all know how much of a disappointment the first season with this new roster has been. Barring a late-season playoff push, the only thing Maple Leaf fans really have to look forward to the rest of this season is the March 6 trade deadline. That’s why today we’re going to look at four Toronto Maple Leafs to buy stock in for the 2026–27 season.
Auston Matthews will bounce back
First up, the captain. It’s been a strange last few seasons for Auston Matthews, having only played 67 games in the 2024–25 season, highlighted by a mystery trip to Germany to see a doctor out there and missing some games at the beginning of this season. Injuries have played a major role in the shaping of the previous two seasons for Matthews, but you could see Auston’s game-breaking X-factor really come to life in the months leading up to the 2026 Olympic break, where he’d captain the USA to a gold medal.
I understand it’s not a hot take to say “I’m buying stock in the greatest Maple Leaf of all time,” but if Auston can stay healthy, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him return to being one of the league’s top five players. Brad Treliving and the front office might need to improve the team around him before we see a 69-goal Matthews again, but it’s based on the recent play going into the break and at the Olympics. I can see a dominant 2026–27 season from Auston Matthews.
Easton Cowan breakout
Just like I mentioned with Matthews, this certainly won’t be a hot take, but I’m buying tons of stock in Easton Cowan for the 2026–27 season. At the time of writing this, the rookie from Mount Brydges only has seven goals and 17 points through 43 games this season. It’s been a weird season for Easton, sticking with the NHL club for the majority of the season, but he’s struggled to find a consistent spot in the Maple Leaf lineup. At times, we’ve seen him on the 1st line, then back to the 4th line a few games later.
The lack of role Craig Berube has given him must toy with the confidence of a young NHLer; in fact, a majority of Maple Leaf fans would argue it’s better for his development to play big minutes in the AHL instead of the mishmash of roles Craig Berube has thrust upon him.
The big question with a guy like Cowan is: how high is the ceiling on his potential? There’s no question the skill and drive to be a Maple Leaf from Ontario is there, but it’s important for Leaf fans not to put too high expectations on the kid. Easton Cowan will likely never be a point-per-game star in the league, but can he become a 50+ point middle-six player? No doubt. Natural progression with a player this young is a given, but to maximize his full potential, Craig Berube will need to find the right spot for him in this lineup.
Brandon Carlo back to being himself?
Brandon Carlo is an interesting case for the Maple Leafs. On one hand, you could flip him at this year’s trade deadline to a contending team. On the other hand, you could retain the big right-shot defender for another year at $3.25M. If the Maple Leafs choose to keep him, I would buy stock in D-man. I understand that Carlo has a case of Adam Larsson syndrome. Fans can only see the astronomical price of Fraser Minten, a 1st, and a 4th, paid for him, and automatically dislike the player for that fact. If fans look at Carlo more realistically, you can see why a 6’5 right-shooting defender could be a key piece to a rebounding Maple Leafs squad in 2026–27.
His time in Toronto has been up and down, especially this season, while dealing with a foot injury, which caused him to get surgery on Dec. 3. After returning from surgery in January, Brandon Carlo looked like a completely different player, which gives me hope for a bounce-back season in the future. The fact of the matter is, Carlo will never be worth the price you paid for him, but it wouldn’t be a shock to see the Toronto Maple Leafs salvage this player.
Dennis Hildeby will prove himself
One of the very few bright spots for the Maple Leafs this season has been the emergence of goalie Dennis Hildeby. The situation in net started rocky for the Leafs, with Joseph Woll being sidelined by a family issue and missing action until Dec. 16. Anthony Stolarz was also injured in a 5–3 loss against Boston on Nov. 11. For about a month, Dennis Hildeby was thrust into the starting role. He impressed Leafs fans with his 6’7 frame in the crease and carried a .912 save percentage through 19 games. Although the Maple Leafs dropped the ball in some games, Dennis came up big, so he sits at a 5–6–4 record this season.
The only issue with Dennis Hildeby is the guys ahead of him. Unless the Maple Leafs trade one of Joseph Woll or Anthony Stolarz this offseason, it becomes difficult to see Hildeby in one of the top two spots next season. Although neither of Toronto’s current netminders has a great track record with staying healthy, it could make sense for the Maple Leafs to carry three goalies next season, with Hildeby requiring waivers next season.
Looking forward
With the trade deadline fast approaching for the Toronto Maple Leafs, now is a great time to look forward to next year’s roster and the key things they need to do to get back into playoff and eventually Stanley Cup contention. While the four players mentioned aren’t the only keys to success they are the Maple Leafs players to buy stock in for 2026-27.
