Tavares, like Marner, grew up in the Toronto area dreaming of being a Maple Leaf. When he left the New York Islanders to sign a seven-year, $77 million contract ($11 million average annual value) on July 1, 2018, he publicly announced his decision by posting a childhood photo on social media of sleeping under Maple Leafs covers.

It was another year and another playoff disappointment for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Anthony Stolarz confirmed he suffered a concussion during Game 1 against the Florida Panthers. Yet it certainly felt like he was trending toward returning to a starter role had the Leafs advanced to the Eastern Conference Final. Stolarz backed up Joseph Woll in Game 7 against the Panthers.

The Maple Leafs (52-26-4) finished first in the Atlantic Division with 108 points, six ahead of the Tampa Bay Lightning and eight of the Panthers. Toronto then won only its second postseason series in 21 years by eliminating the Ottawa Senators in six games in the first round.

The Toronto Maple Leafs did look different at times throughout their 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs run. However, the final result was the same as the Maple Leafs got booed off the Scotiabank Arena ice following a 6-1 drubbing at the hands of the Florida Panthers in Game 7.

Can Toronto accommodate its former captain? Could Tavares be headed back to free agency as one of the top players available?

Chris Rooney was hurt 13 seconds into the second period when he caught an errant stick in the face during the Panthers-Maple Leafs game.

Let's look at the facts. Since 2018, the Maple Leafs' longest tenured players — Matthews, Marner, Nylander and Morgan Rielly — have fallen completely flat in their career in Game 7, scoring three goals between them in six games.

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Maple Leafs have been projected to win it all under Brendan Shanahan, but can't even get out of 2nd round. Again. That doesn't help Red Wings fans.

When I say Toronto didn't stand a chance, I don't mean against Florida. Ordinarily, those Maple Leafs could absolutely beat the Panthers. Instead, what Toronto didn't stand a chance against was history. The Leafs were always going to blow this game. There was waaaaaay too much stink involved all around for Toronto to get it done.

Toronto Maple Leafs netminder Joseph Woll spoke on why the pressure this franchise faces is a positive thing, not a negative.