Kevin Weekes believes the Toronto Maple Leafs can deliver a much better 2026-27 season. The former NHL goaltender sees a playoff team, though he stopped short of calling Toronto a Stanley Cup contender.
Speaking on Off The Roster, Weekes called the Maple Leafs a “con-better” team. “I don’t know about contender, but they’re a con-better,” Weekes said. “They’re gonna be better than they were last year.”
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Weekes expects Toronto to benefit from greater stability across the lineup. He stressed that health will remain critical, particularly for Auston Matthews and the revamped goaltending group.
“I think there’s gonna be more stability,” Weekes said. He also pointed to Sergei Bobrovsky as a major addition after the veteran won two Stanley Cups with Florida.
The Maple Leafs entered the offseason after missing the playoffs, forcing significant changes throughout the roster. Their new structure now places greater emphasis on depth, experience and improved defensive play.
Kevin Weekes sees Auston Matthews, Gavin McKenna as major factors
Weekes believes Matthews returning healthy could change Toronto’s entire outlook. “Him being healthy changes everything for them,” he said.
He added that Matthews could make a major impact even without matching his previous production. “Especially if he can produce even 85% at the rates that we’ve seen from him to this point,” Weekes said.
The former goaltender also highlighted Darren Raddysh after Toronto acquired him from Tampa Bay. “I anticipate he’ll have a huge year, especially on the power play with that shot,” Weekes said.
Raddysh gives Toronto another option from the blue line, while Bobrovsky provides championship experience behind the revamped defense. That combination could address some of the structural problems that hurt the Maple Leafs last season.
Up front, Weekes also expects more depth and excitement from No. 1 pick Gavin McKenna. “I’m really excited to see what he’s gonna look like in a Leafs sweater,” he said.
Weekes ultimately believes Toronto will improve without labeling the team a true contender. “I think the Leafs overall as a team this year will be better,” he said.
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That assessment sets a realistic target for Toronto. Making the playoffs would mark a major improvement, while stronger health and defensive structure could determine whether the Leafs can go further.
