This offseason has brought significant changes, not just for the Toronto Maple Leafs but for how we think about building a championship team. Mitch Marner—homegrown, skilled, and a face of the franchise—is now a Vegas Golden Knight. And Sam Bennett—once rumoured as a desired fit for Toronto—has re-signed with the Florida Panthers on a significant deal, fresh off winning his second straight Stanley Cup and taking home the 2025 Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP.
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The moves speak for themselves, but they also raise a deeper, more reflective question—one that Maple Leafs fans, and maybe hockey fans everywhere, should consider: “How does an NHL team win the Stanley Cup?”
Marner and Bennett Are Two Players, Two Paths, Two Outcomes
This post isn’t about blaming anyone. It’s not a shot at Marner or a glorification of Bennett. It’s simply a question sparked by two players who represent very different approaches to the game, and two very different outcomes come playoff time.
Marner brought talent, creativity, and loyalty. For years, Maple Leafs fans watched him create magic on the ice, racking up points and driving one of the league’s most dynamic offences. But as much as we wanted it to happen in Toronto, the playoff success just didn’t come. The team never advanced past the second round during his tenure. That hurts because we know how good he played with the team.
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Then there’s Bennett. Not the flashiest player, but the kind who shows up when it matters most. He hits hard, agitates his opponents, scores challenging goals, and drags his team into the fight. He doesn’t play clean, and he doesn’t care if you like him. But here’s what can’t be denied: since joining Florida, Bennett has become one of the NHL’s most effective playoff performers. Two Stanley Cups and a Conn Smythe in two years say a lot.
What Kind of Team Wins in the Playoffs?
So here’s the heart of it. If you are the Maple Leafs’ brain trust, when you’re building a team, what matters more—pure talent or playoff grit? Do you build around players who dazzle with speed and skill? Or around the ones who might blur the lines but know how to win ugly?
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