How Dakota Joshua can help forge the Toronto Maple Leafs evolving identity
The most succinct version of the Leafs offseason is that the team acquired a trio of forwards after Mitch Marner left town. The headline might be Nicolas Roy, hoping to be the defensive third-line centre the Leafs have coveted. Perhaps the younger and more offensively gifted Matias Maccelli garners his share of hope.
While he might be flying a bit under the radar, it might be Dakota Joshua who represents the biggest X-factor of the new trio. Joshua is a big winger who has consistently fought his way up the depth chart since turning professional. Able to handle defensive assignments and with a helping of physicality, Joshua seems poised to be a staple of a checking line alongside Nic Roy. What should fans expect from the forward, and is there a chance he finds himself even further up the lineup?
Traits
As mentioned, Joshua is a capable defensive player. He competes in the tough areas of the ice, understands the importance of defensive focus, and is willing to do the legwork required to pressure opponents. As a baseline, the Leafs should expect 10 goals from Joshua on a checking line, as well as an intensity that is infectious.
While missing most of last season, it was the season prior that Joshua set career highs with the Vancouver Canucks. Undoubtedly, Joshua played well, as did his line alongside Teddy Blueger and Connor Garland. It should be noted that both linemates have a much longer track record of strong possession play, but Joshua was a huge contributor to their success.
While his career high of 18 goals in the 2023–24 season came from an elevated shooting percentage, Joshua was getting his chances from the net front. Perhaps with some continued growth, as well as some poise and a handful of tricks in tight, Joshua can replicate the feat. His assist rate, like his offensive game as a whole, is serviceable.
Opportunity
It would be bold to project 20 goals or 40 points from Joshua this season, but clearly, his career arc shows a dedication to the game. Perhaps Joshua can follow in the footsteps of former Leaf Zach Hyman in a prolonged developmental curve.
The opportunity for more might exist with the Leafs as well. Coach Craig Berube clearly values having a blend of skills on each line, and finding a henchman for John Tavares’ line seems paramount. Max Pacioretty proved invaluable last season filling in this type of role, though his offensive quality is rare among power forwards.
This gives Joshua two possible full-time roles in this Leafs lineup, as Roy’s checking winger or as Tavares’ henchman. While his past usage would suggest that Joshua is more than capable of a checking role, he might be the Leafs best option for muscle alongside Tavares and, presumably, William Nylander. If Joshua is willing to do the legwork and get to the net front, he might open up a lot of ice for Tavares and Nylander.
If there is any area the Leafs might look to upgrade within the season, it might be here. One might lack faith in Roy as a third-line centre or in Morgan Rielly as the top offensive defenceman, but these upgrades are more structural. Within the context of this team working out, finding a top-six power forward is the clear choice.
In the long and winding road of the NHL regular season, teams will be forced into lineup juggling one way or another. While Joshua might not be the first choice in a top-six role, he could grab hold of the spot with a bit of early chemistry. While his individual point totals might not skyrocket, the benefits should be recognized beyond that scope.
Battles
Currently, the Leafs have Bobby McMann as the main competition. A bounce-back season from Calle Jarnkrok might throw him into the mix. It seems unlikely that Berube would try another more skilled type of winger here, like Nick Robertson or Easton Cowan, if not Matias Maccelli or Max Domi, as Tavares and Nylander would seem to require a different kind of support. All of a sudden, Joshua might be the most reliable power forward the Leafs have after Matthew Knies.
While new additions like Roy and Maccelli have their defensive attributes, Joshua presents the dimension of physicality alongside. This should not be overlooked, and if Joshua can have a strong season with the Leafs he might find himself central to the team’s new identity. The glitz and glamour of younger or more skilled players might steal the show in training camp, but Joshua’s impact on the lineup will likely be more pronounced. His addition and the opportunity before him are ripe to pay off.
"Auston Matthews’ Cryptic Health Update Raises Alarm Bells: 'I’m Doing Everything I Can' But Fans Still Concerned"
Raleigh, North Carolina (April 13, 2025) – Auston Matthews, the star captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs, has the fanbase on edge after his latest comments about his health heading into the 2025-26 season. While Matthews insists he's feeling better than last year, his cryptic responses have left Maple Leafs fans more worried than reassured.
The Health Struggles Linger
Last season, the hockey world couldn’t ignore the elephant in the room: Auston Matthews’ health. Despite his elite status, Matthews posted career-low goal totals and only played 67 games, raising questions about whether he was truly at 100%. Matthews himself admitted that he wasn’t fully healthy, even seeking medical advice in Germany during the off-season.
Heading into the new season, Matthews is determined to bounce back. In an interview, he shared his optimism, saying, "I’m feeling a lot better than I did last season, but I’m not going to pretend everything is perfect. I’m doing everything I can to get back to my best, and I’ll take it one day at a time. My goal is to help this team win a championship, and I’ll do whatever it takes to be on the ice and give us the best chance to succeed."
However, Matthews’ guarded words have sparked more concern than confidence among the Leafs Nation. While his resolve is clear, the vagueness around his current condition has fans questioning whether they’ll be seeing a fully healthy Matthews in the lineup.
Fans Are on Edge: What’s Really Going On?
Social media has been flooded with disappointed and nervous fans expressing their frustrations. Many feel that Matthews, rather than being transparent about his health, is holding back vital information that could impact the team’s success. “Why is he being so vague? If he’s feeling better, why not just say it? This kind of uncertainty doesn’t inspire confidence,” one fan posted.
Another echoed these concerns: “It’s the same story from last year. The constant day-to-day injuries, the nagging issues. We need a captain who can play all season, not one who’s constantly ‘evaluating’ his health.”
Can the Leafs Still Win Without a Fully Healthy Matthews?
Even with the uncertainty around Matthews' health, the Toronto Maple Leafs have been successful in the past when he hasn’t been at his peak. Last year, despite Matthews managing only 78 points, players like John Tavares, William Nylander, and Matthews Knies helped keep the Leafs competitive, even leading them to a division title.
But the question remains — can the Leafs go far in the playoffs without their captain playing at his best? The Atlantic Division is fierce, and if Matthews continues to face lingering health issues, Toronto might find themselves in trouble against tougher competition.
The Road to the 2026 Olympics: Matthews' Dual Goals
Matthews’ immediate priority may be getting ready for Team USA’s 2026 Winter Olympics campaign, as he expressed his desire to win a gold medal with his national team. However, his involvement in international play raises further questions. Fans are wondering if Matthews will risk pushing through any remaining injuries for a shot at Olympic glory or if he’ll focus on healing for the long term.
Looking Forward: A Critical Season Ahead for Matthews and the Leafs
As the 2025-26 NHL season approaches, Matthews’ health is the biggest unknown for the Toronto Maple Leafs. While he’s determined to contribute to the team and his Olympic dreams, fans are hoping for full transparency and, above all, a healthy captain. With the Leafs’ playoff hopes riding on Matthews’ ability to lead both on and off the ice, there’s no room for uncertainty — especially not when it comes to their best player.
For now, Leafs Nation will hold their breath, hoping that the captain’s optimism proves to be well-founded and that he’ll be ready for a full season of hockey. Only time will tell whether Matthews’ body and mind will align for a championship run.
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