The Toronto Maple Leafs are in one of those stretches where the season suddenly feels complicated. Injuries are piling up, scoring depth is getting tested, and the trade deadline looms in just a few weeks. General manager Brad Treliving has some tough decisions ahead, and for fans, it’s hard not to keep one eye on the rumour mills and another on the ice. Right now, a few players are making waves — whether it’s through performance, opportunity, or just sheer timing — and they could shape how Toronto finishes the regular season.
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Here’s a look at three stories worth following:
Item One: Is Jeff Skinner the Low-Cost Scoring Fix the Maple Leafs Need?
Jeff Skinner hitting free agency at this point in the season is one of those moments that makes you wonder if Treliving wants to shake things up. The Sharks cut ties with him to give him a fresh start, and he agreed. Suddenly, he’s a no-strings-attached scoring option sitting there for the Maple Leafs to consider.
Skinner is not some unproven prospect hoping for a shot; he’s a veteran who has been finding the back of the net for more than a decade. Even in a down year with limited ice time, he still brings more scoring punch than most players you could add this late in the season.
And here’s the kicker: because of the contract termination, the price tag is suddenly perfect. League minimum — or close to it — opens the door to adding a legit shooter without forcing the Leafs to reshuffle the cap or move someone else out. Skinner is smart, disciplined, and still moves well on the ice.
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He’s the kind of player who can give you honest minutes, plug gaps, and add scoring without any long-term headache. The only question mark? Whether he’s willing to come back to his hometown and take the pay cut. If he does, the Maple Leafs have a chance to boost their offence without taking big risks.
Item Two: Jacob Quillan Keeps Getting Praised, But No Real Shot
Jacob Quillan has been quietly excelling with the American Hockey League (AHL) Toronto Marlies this season: nine goals, 19 assists in 29 games. He’s doing everything you could ask of a young centre. But whenever he’s called up, it’s the same story: Berube praises him to the sky. He talks about his skill, his hockey IQ, what makes him NHL-ready — and then… barely gives him ice time.
A perfect example was the Jan. 25 game against the Colorado Avalanche, when Quillan played just over six minutes before being sent back to the AHL. It’s hard to watch because the talent is obvious. Quillan creates chances, drives plays, and adapts quickly at the pro level.
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With roster spots potentially opening up before the trade deadline, this is the ideal moment to give him a longer look. Every recall has been a tease, but the Marlies’ centre has done everything asked of him. Now, the Maple Leafs have a chance to see if he can take the next step.
Item Three: Bobby McMann Weighs in on Trade Rumours
Bobby McMann is squarely in the middle of trade speculation with March 6 fast approaching. He’s one of the most likely names to attract interest if Toronto decides to sell forwards. But McMann isn’t losing sleep over it.
“Honestly, it’s not bad,” he said. “People talk about it, but I recognize that I have zero control over that. You control what you can control, and that’s pouring everything I can into my game to contribute here. That’s all I’m trying to do right now” (from “Joshua practises, McMann ponders future as Maple Leafs return to ice,” Terry Koshan, Toronto Sun, 2/17/26).
McMann has made it clear he’d like to stay in Toronto, but being an unrestricted free agent (UFA) with no trade protection complicates matters. Still, his production speaks volumes: only five UFAs have more than his 19 goals this season, and one of them is Alex Ovechkin, who obviously isn’t moving.
Even off the ice, McMann is finding ways to reset. After the Maple Leafs beat the Edmonton Oilers 5-2, he spent a few days at his parents’ place in Sherwood Park, walking through the parking lot with his gear and joking about how long it had been since he’d done that. It’s the kind of grounded, focused attitude the Leafs need right now.
What’s Next for the Maple Leafs?
So, where does this leave Toronto? Treliving has some decisions to make. Do they add a low-risk scorer like Skinner, finally give Quillan a real NHL shot, or decide they’re sellers and move McMann to bring back assets? It’s a balancing act between improving the lineup today and thinking about the future. Fans are watching every move closely, knowing that even small tweaks could change the team’s playoff chances.
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Whatever happens, one thing is clear: the Maple Leafs are at a crossroads. The next few weeks will tell us whether this group can put the right pieces in place to compete or whether they’ll be reshaping the roster heading into the summer. For now, it’s all eyes on the ice, the GM’s phone, and the rumour mill. Every game matters, every decision counts, and the Maple Leafs’ story for this season is still being written.
