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NHL·PREVIEW·September 16, 2026 07:49 PM ET

Matthews opens Maple Leafs camp with new coach, reset roster

Toronto missed playoffs for first time since 2016.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated Sep 161 min read
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It couldn't have gone much worse for Auston Matthews and the Maple Leafs last season, but that cloud has lifted as a new

What happened: Auston Matthews opened training camp saying he is ready for a new season after a difficult year in Toronto. The Maple Leafs begin camp with a reshaped roster and a new coach as Matthews centers the club's next phase.

Why it matters: The reset carries weight after Toronto missed the playoffs for the first time since 2016 last season. It also extends an offseason that had Matthews building chemistry ahead of camp, putting early camp work under immediate scrutiny.

By the numbers: Toronto missed the playoffs for the first time since 2016 last season.

What to watch: Watch how Matthews is deployed as camp opens and how quickly the new roster settles into defined roles. Early preseason usage should offer the first clues about Toronto's approach for the upcoming season.

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