The Maple Leafs decided six years ago that a core group of four players in Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander and John Tavares would lead them to a Stanley Cup much like the Chicago Blackhawks designed in 2010 with Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane in their entry level deals.
As all Leafs fans know, that core has not been successful and only has won one playoff round in six tries. The Rangers have a better-balanced team than the Leafs however they do still lean on Mika Zibanejad, Chris Kreider, Artemi Panarin, Alex Lafrenière and Vincent Trocheck.
Both teams also have a similar fate after next season for several of their players will be unrestricted free agents. In the 2025 season, the Rangers only have nine players signed with $33.3 million in cap space. Panarin Will be in his final year of his deal and likely will get a contract extension.
The Leafs have two of their core players that will be up for a contract extension this summer in Marner and Taveras. With general manager Brad Treliving in charge any strong desire to make this team tougher, meaner and more playoff ready major decisions will be needed on who will stay and who will go.
