A Trio of Maple Leafs Making the Most of New Opportunities in Life Without Mitch Marner

Three wins in a row has certainly calmed some concerns over a slow start to the 2025-26 NHL season for the Toronto Maple Leafs, following the departure of Mitch Marner.

And, if that's not enough, three members of the team are dominating the league when it comes to a scoring category considered very important for success in the NHL, showing that Marner's departure only created more opportunities.

With 14 games gone in the current season, three members of the Maple Leafs are at the top of the league in 5-on-5 scoring. William Nylander leads the way with 18 even strength points. John Tavares and Matthew Knies are tied for second with 16 each, showing that nobody is playing around in Marner's absence.

Having top-notch special teams is always an advantage, but being able to score in bunches 5-on-5 will almost always lead to great things.

The Leafs aren't missing Marner as much as many thought they would when the trade to the Vegas Golden Knights went through. That said, the team is leaving something to be desired when it comes to its power play, which is third from the bottom in the entire league. That's where Marner really shone bright.

There is still work to be done, but the Maple Leafs appear to be digging themselves out of the hole they created at the beginning of the season by playing less-than-inspired hockey.

Finding a way to get the powerplay clicking would be huge given the team's success so far during 5-on-5 play. It's a safe bet coach Craig Berube is racking his brain to come up with a way to make it work.