Maple Leafs’ Defence Remains a Cause for Concern

The Hockey Writers argues that the Toronto Maple Leafs' defensive struggles remain a major issue nine games into the 2026-27 season. Despite positive offensive outputs from players like Auston Matthews and William Nylander, writer Peter Baracchini highlights that Toronto ranks near the bottom of the NHL after conceding 31 total goals, including 25 at five-on-five.

Baracchini notes that defensive breakdowns and blown leads against opponents like the Vegas Golden Knights, Utah Mammoth, and Buffalo Sabres demonstrate ongoing issues with defending the rush. While acknowledging strong penalty-killing metrics, the analysis concludes that head coach Jim Hiller's team lacks structure and awareness in their own zone.