The Toronto Marlies put together a magical run to win the Calder Cup title. It was a bright spot in a rough season for the Toronto Maple Leafs organization, and the success of the American Hockey League team provided hope for the future. The playoff run especially showcased the elite play of the prospects, with Easton Cowan and Artur Ahktyamov stepping up. 

Now, it’s time to follow that up. The Marlies will try without the head coach who guided them through the playoffs, as John Gruden moved to the Maple Leafs bench as an assistant. They’ll also be without many of the key players from last season. 

It’s a tough road back, and first-year head coach Steve Sullivan has a tough task ahead of him. That said, the Marlies have a few things working in their favor that can keep them competitive and set them up for another great season. 

Stats from 2025-26:

Record: 36-26-5-5 (4th in the North Division, 7th in the Eastern Conference & 15th in the AHL)

Offense: 3.18 goals per game (14th in the AHL)

Defense: 3.16 goals per game (tied for 18th in the AHL)

The Marlies are an easy target for a championship hangover. They didn’t have great underlying numbers last season, and many look at them as an average team that got hot at the right time. Plus, after a long playoff run, an offseason of turnover, a short summer, and a new coaching staff (aside from assistant Mark Giordano), they are due for a regression. 

What will prevent a regression is the group that’s already in place. The Marlies were a veteran-heavy team last season, leaning on Logan Shaw, Benoit-Olivier Groulx, and Vinni Letteri to carry them. While Shaw remains a free agent, the rest of the Marlies core is returning. 

The Marlies also have a surprising number of prospects in their system, surprising because the Maple Leafs weren’t known for their farm system until they landed the number one pick. They have great prospects on this team who will only improve next season. 

It’s easy to look at the Abbotsford Canucks and how they went from Calder Cup champs to out of the playoffs and say the same thing will happen with the Marlies. A big difference is that the Canucks lost their core players, most notably the goaltender who led them on the deep playoff run (Arturs Silovs). So, a drop in the standings and a slow start are expected, yet the Marlies should remain competitive. 

The playoffs showed why the Marlies can remain optimistic, even if the signs point to a down year. They have a great group returning and a winning culture. It’s worth adding that the NHL team doesn’t cut corners on the AHL team, and if they need another veteran halfway through the season, they’ll make a move to get help. 

The veterans who led the way are back. Specifically, Groulx and Letteri, who combined for 94 points in the season and 40 in the playoffs, are pivotal parts of the forward unit. Plus, there’s a chance William Villeneuve doesn’t make the Maple Leafs as their extra defenseman, and he’s back as the do-it-all blueliner. 

The Marlies also had a strong free-agent class. Henrik Rybinski is a middle-six center who comes over from the Hershey Bears, while Cole McWard adds depth to the defense. More importantly, Samuel Hlavaj was signed as a veteran goaltender who can start the majority of the games in case Ahktyamov is in the NHL. 

Speaking of Ahktyamov, he proved last season that he’s an elite goaltender. He’s poised to be in the NHL soon, and he might be if the Maple Leafs battle injuries this season. Until then, he can hold down the fort in the AHL. 

Sullivan is a new coach who will bring a different style than Gruden. That said, the Marlies have a strong staff built around him, with Giordano rising in the coaching ranks and Denver Manderson and Greg Moore joining as assistants from development backgrounds. 

There’s a close-to-zero percent chance that Gavin McKenna is a Marlie. Likewise, Easton Cowan won’t be in the AHL either, especially after a playoff run where he had eight goals and 10 assists. That said, the Marlies still have multiple prospects to watch. 

The defensemen are the big ones. Ben Danford is a 20-year-old who showed flashes and will likely get more time on the power play or as the scoring defenseman in his first full season with the Marlies. Noah Chadwick, meanwhile, is a bigger defenseman who, at 21, is already making significant strides as a shutdown option. 

Luke Haymes was a pleasant surprise, as he could play center when needed to give the Marlies lineup flexibility. His key is to round out his game on the defensive end, with the hope of carving out a role on the Maple Leafs' bottom six someday. 

Then there’s Ahktyamov, the Calder Cup MVP who the Maple Leafs hope is the goaltender of the future. What stood out in the playoffs was his calm, clutch play; he was unfazed by the pressure. It’s something the Maple Leafs have been searching for in the net for years. He’ll be 25 at the start of the season and might be ready for the NHL soon enough.