{"id":193833,"date":"2025-10-06T21:02:09","date_gmt":"2025-10-06T21:02:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/193833\/"},"modified":"2025-10-06T21:02:09","modified_gmt":"2025-10-06T21:02:09","slug":"maple-leafs-have-two-decisions-before-the-puck-drops-the-hockey-writers-toronto-maple-leafs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/193833\/","title":{"rendered":"Maple Leafs Have Two Decisions Before the Puck Drops – The Hockey Writers – Toronto Maple Leafs"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Toronto Maple Leafs<\/a> look about as settled as a team can be heading into opening night. Training camp has clarified many things, and most of the pieces are now in place. But two questions still linger \u2014 both important and both interesting \u2014 as the Maple Leafs prepare to face the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday.<\/p>\n

Question #1: Three Players, One Spot Open<\/p>\n

By now, it appears 17 of the 18 skater spots are set. The combinations might still shift a little, but the roster picture is clear. With Scott Laughton sidelined, the forward group almost writes itself: Auston Matthews, William Nylander, John Tavares, Matthew Knies, Max Domi, Matias Maccelli<\/a>, Bobby McMann, Nicolas Roy, Dakota Joshua, Steven Lorentz<\/a>, and David Kampf.<\/p>\n

Related: Maple Leafs News & Rumours: Robertson\u2019s Fight, Pacioretty\u2019s Fit & Cowan\u2019s Challenge<\/a><\/p>\n

Kampf, despite clearing waivers, remains their most logical choice for fourth-line centre until Laughton returns. The defense pairings have been locked in since last spring: Chris Tanev\u2013Jake McCabe, Morgan Rielly\u2013Brandon Carlo, and Oliver Ekman-Larsson\u2013Simon Benoit.<\/p>\n

\"TorontoToronto Maple Leafs defenceman Chris Tanev (John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images)<\/p>\n

That leaves one forward position open \u2014 and three players fighting for it: Easton Cowan, Nicholas Robertson, and Calle J\u00e4rnkrok.<\/p>\n

Cowan: The Maple Leafs Kid Who Won\u2019t Go Away<\/p>\n

Head coach Craig Berube made it clear after Saturday\u2019s game that Cowan has impressed him. When asked directly if the 19-year-old was ready for the NHL, Berube didn\u2019t hedge<\/a>: \u201cYeah, I think he is. We have decisions to make, but I think he showed us enough\u2026 He has a motor on him. He impresses me with his motor. It is constant work, and he has a high IQ. I liked him a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n

Related: Cowan\u2019s Shot At Leafs Roster, Senators\u2019 Response to Xhekaj & More NHL Rumors<\/a><\/p>\n

That\u2019s strong praise from a coach who doesn\u2019t hand it out easily. Berube did add that Cowan sometimes tries to do too much \u2014 the kind of growing pain every young player has to work through \u2014 but his message was unmistakable: Cowan belongs in this conversation.<\/p>\n

Robertson: The Maple Leafs Player Who Earned Praise<\/p>\n

When Berube was asked about Robertson, the tone changed. \u201cHe was really flying tonight, and he was physical. He was aggressive, shot the puck, and scored. He did a lot of good things. He was really good tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"NickNick Robertson, Toronto Maple Leafs (Photo by Mark Blinch\/NHLI via Getty Images)<\/p>\n

No caveats, no corrections \u2014 just praise. Robertson has put together a full, consistent camp, showing more confidence, more strength on the puck, and better decision-making than we\u2019ve seen in previous seasons. If the call were made on preseason performance alone, Robertson might have the edge.<\/p>\n

Related: The New CBA Could Turn the Marlies Into the Maple Leafs\u2019 Secret Weapon<\/a><\/p>\n

But the decision is never that simple. Cowan doesn\u2019t require waivers to be sent down; everyone else does. That alone could keep him off the roster to start the season, no matter how well he\u2019s played. The \u201cwe don\u2019t want to lose anyone for nothing\u201d card gets used every October.<\/p>\n

J\u00e4rnkrok: The Maple Leafs Veteran Who\u2019s Trusted but Overlooked<\/p>\n

Then there\u2019s Calle J\u00e4rnkrok \u2014 the forgotten man. He\u2019s been on the outside looking in since camp began, and with general manager Brad Treliving adding bigger, heavier forwards over the summer, J\u00e4rnkrok\u2019s place looks uncertain.<\/p>\n

Berube wasn\u2019t asked about him postgame, but the ice time tells a story. J\u00e4rnkrok logged 22:53 \u2014 more than any other forward. That suggests trust in tight, defensive situations. He also played over seven minutes on the penalty kill, compared to Robertson\u2019s five. Cowan didn\u2019t see the ice short-handed at all but led all three in five-on-five minutes.<\/p>\n

\"LinusCalle Jarnkrok of the Toronto Maple Leafs battles for position in front of Linus Ullmark of the Boston Bruins (Photo by Maddie Meyer\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

The takeaway? Berube likes J\u00e4rnkrok\u2019s reliability, Robertson\u2019s momentum, and Cowan\u2019s energy. It\u2019s not a bad problem to have \u2014 three capable players, one open slot. The question remains: who gets the call Wednesday night? The experienced hand (J\u00e4rnkrok), the breakout hopeful (Robertson), or the rising star (Cowan)?<\/p>\n

Stay tuned.<\/p>\n

Question #2: Who Backs Up Stolarz?<\/p>\n

The goaltending situation looks steadier than expected, though it\u2019s not without intrigue. With Joseph Woll still away, Anthony Stolarz is the clear starter. The debate is over who backs him up \u2014 Dennis Hildeby or James Reimer.<\/p>\n

Related: The NHL\u2019s Best Farm Systems Ranked \u2013 2025-26 Preseason Update<\/a><\/p>\n

Hildeby has had an excellent camp. He\u2019s calm, technically sound, and signed a fresh three-year deal that secures his spot in the organization. He\u2019s waiver-exempt, which makes him easy to move \u2014 but also, he\u2019s earned it.<\/p>\n

Reimer, meanwhile, came in on a professional tryout (PTO)<\/a> to give the club a safety net. He\u2019s been a pro about it, mentoring the younger goalies and staying ready. But without a contract, he can\u2019t play an NHL game. The Maple Leafs could sign him before Opening Night, but barring an injury, the odds are that Hildeby will be Stolarz\u2019s backup against Montreal.<\/p>\n

\"DennisDennis Hildeby, Toronto Maple Leafs (Photo by Mark Blinch\/NHLI via Getty Images)<\/p>\n

If nothing changes, expect Reimer to stay in the fold on an American Hockey League (AHL) deal \u2014 the kind of veteran insurance every smart team needs.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s Next for the Maple Leafs?<\/p>\n

As the Maple Leafs move into the season, these final choices won\u2019t just fill roster spots \u2014 they\u2019ll shape the tone of the Berube era. The young, hungry players are pushing hard. The veterans are fighting to hold their ground. And the coach has made it clear: he values energy, intelligence, and physical commitment above all else.<\/p>\n

Related: Maple Leafs News & Rumours: Hildeby\u2019s Chance, Danford\u2019s Rise & Cowan\u2019s Crossroads<\/a><\/p>\n

The pieces are almost in place. Just two questions remain \u2014 and we\u2019ll get our answers on Wednesday night.<\/p>\n

[Note: I want to thank long-time Maple Leafs fan Stan Smith for collaborating with me on this post. Stan\u2019s Facebook profile can be\u00a0found here<\/a>.]<\/p>\n

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