Mitch Marner’s 100-point production is the Leafs’ central question this season, forcing Austin Matthews, William Nylander and John Tavares to shoulder more playmaking and scoring while internal options like Dakota Joshua and a reworked bottom six push for relief. Toronto’s path hinges on depth, cap flexibility, and smart re-signings that keep 1A/1B lanes open for next year’s targets.

San Jose overhauls its blue line with Dmitri Orlov and John Klingberg, while Sam Dickinson, Will Smith and Quint Musty battle for NHL spots amid a broader youth surge. Utah Mammoth, led by Clayton Keller, eye a playoff push as veterans blend with rising talents, underscoring a league-wide tilt toward balancing proven strength with hotly contested developmental bets.