As the Maple Leafs' training camp gets underway, several key questions are swirling around the team, demanding answers before the puck drops on the 2025-26 NHL season. With the departure of a star winger and changes in the leadership structure, the team faces both familiar and new challenges as they prepare for the upcoming campaign.

One of the most significant questions revolves around the forward lines, particularly in the wake of Mitch Marner's departure to the Vegas Golden Knights. The team must find the right combinations to complement Auston Matthews and John Tavares. While Matthew Knies is expected to remain on the top line with Matthews, the other wing positions are up for grabs. Newcomer Matias Maccelli and Max Domi are potential candidates, while players like Bobby McMann and Joshua could also get a look. Finding the right chemistry and balance in the top six will be crucial for the Leafs' offensive success.

Speaking of Auston Matthews, his health and performance are also under scrutiny. After a season hampered by an upper-body injury that saw his goal production decline, the team needs him to be back at full strength. There are whispers that Matthews was not at his best last season due to the lingering effects of a back injury suffered during the previous training camp. A healthy and productive Matthews is essential for the Maple Leafs to contend for a Stanley Cup.

The goaltending situation is another area of focus. With Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll forming a solid tandem, the immediate concern is Stolarz's contract. General Manager Brad Treliving has expressed confidence in reaching an agreement with Stolarz, but resolving this issue before it becomes a distraction is a priority. The team is hoping to avoid the goaltending uncertainties that have plagued them in recent years.

Beyond personnel, there's also a leadership void to fill. The organization is without a team president after Brendan Shanahan's contract was not renewed. How this absence will impact the team's direction and decision-making remains to be seen.

Finally, the pressure to perform in the playoffs looms large. Despite regular-season success, the Maple Leafs have struggled to translate that into deep playoff runs. With only two postseason series victories in the salary cap era, the team is under immense pressure to break through and contend for a championship. The four days of initial workouts, six exhibition games, and 82 regular season games will be telling.