Editing Toronto Maple Leafs (section)

=== Brendan Shanahan era (2014–present) ===
[[File:Shanahan.png|thumb|alt=Brendan Shanahan stands behind a podium that has a LeafsTV microphone attached on its top.|[[Brendan Shanahan]] was named the president and an alternate governor of the club in April 2014.]]
Following the 2013–14 regular season, [[Brendan Shanahan]] was named as the president and an alternate governor of the Maple Leafs.<ref>{{cite web|title=Brendan Shanahan Named Leafs President & Alternate Governor|url=http://mapleleafs.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=713971|publisher=NHL Enterprises, L.P.|website=TorontoMapleLeafs.com|access-date=July 25, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140414031019/http://mapleleafs.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=713971|archive-date=April 14, 2014}}</ref> On January 6, 2015, the Leafs fired Randy Carlyle as head coach, and assistant coach [[Peter Horachek]] took over on an interim basis immediately.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/ten-candidates-to-replace-randy-carlyle-as-next-coach-of-maple-leafs/article22315113/?page=all|title=Ten candidates to replace Randy Carlyle as next coach of Maple Leafs|last=Whyno|first=Stephen|work=The Globe and Mail|access-date=June 29, 2017|date=January 6, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150116025001/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/ten-candidates-to-replace-randy-carlyle-as-next-coach-of-maple-leafs/article22315113/?page=all|archive-date=January 16, 2015}}</ref> While the Leafs had a winning record before Carlyle's firing, the team eventually collapsed. On February 6, 2015, the Leafs set a new franchise record of 11 consecutive games without a win. At the beginning of February, Shanahan gained the approval of MLSE's board of directors to begin a "scorched earth" rebuild of the club.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/kelly-shanahans-scorched-earth-leafs-plan-wins-mlse-support/article22938348/|title=Shanahan's scorched-earth Leafs plan wins MLSE support|first=Cathal|last=Kelly|date=February 12, 2015|work=The Globe and Mail|access-date=June 29, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170311145502/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/kelly-shanahans-scorched-earth-leafs-plan-wins-mlse-support/article22938348/|archive-date=March 11, 2017}}</ref> Both Dave Nonis and Horachek were relieved of their duties on April 12, just one day after the season concluded. In addition, the Leafs also fired several assistant coaches, including [[Steve Spott]] and [[Rick St. Croix]], as well as individuals from the Leafs' player scouting department.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapleleafs.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=762909|title=Maple Leafs announce organizational changes|date=April 12, 2015|publisher=Toronto Maple Leafs|access-date=April 12, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415012338/http://mapleleafs.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=762909|archive-date=April 15, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapleleafs.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=762939|title=Maple Leafs announce changes to scouting staff|date=April 12, 2015|publisher=Toronto Maple Leafs|access-date=July 22, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150723230019/http://mapleleafs.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=762939|archive-date=July 23, 2015}}</ref>

On May 20, 2015, [[Mike Babcock]] was named as the new head coach, and on July 23, [[Lou Lamoriello]] was named the 16th general manager in team history.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=768357|title=Mike Babcock hired by Maple Leafs as coach|publisher=National Hockey League|date=May 20, 2015|access-date=July 22, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150723074317/http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=768357|archive-date=July 23, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tsn.ca/lamoriello-named-maple-leafs-gm-after-resigning-from-devils-1.335040|publisher=The Sports Network|title=Lamoriello named Maple Leafs GM|date=July 23, 2015|access-date=July 23, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150723223723/http://www.tsn.ca/lamoriello-named-maple-leafs-gm-after-resigning-from-devils-1.335040|archive-date=July 23, 2015}}</ref> On July 1, 2015, the Leafs packaged Kessel in a multi-player deal to the [[Pittsburgh Penguins]] in return for three skaters, including [[Kasperi Kapanen]], a conditional first-round pick, and a third-round pick. Toronto also retained $1.2&nbsp;million of Kessel's salary for the remaining seven seasons of his contract.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/maple-leafs-trade-phil-kessel-to-penguins/|first=Mike|last=Johnston|title=Maple Leafs trade Phil Kessel to Penguins|date=July 1, 2015|work=Sportsnet|publisher=Rogers Digital Media|access-date=September 20, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150909151635/http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/maple-leafs-trade-phil-kessel-to-penguins/|archive-date=September 9, 2015}}</ref> During the following season, on February 9, 2016, the Leafs packaged Phaneuf in another multi-player deal, acquiring four players, as well as a [[2017 NHL entry draft|2017]] second-round pick from the Ottawa Senators.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/2015-16-nhl-trades/c-278555954|title=2015–16 NHL Trade Tracker|publisher=National Hockey League|access-date=March 28, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160412042050/https://www.nhl.com/news/2015-16-nhl-trades/c-278555954|archive-date=April 12, 2016}}</ref> The team finished last in the NHL for the first time since the [[1984–85 NHL season|1984–85 season]]. They subsequently won the draft lottery and used the first overall pick to draft [[Auston Matthews]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/maple-leafs-select-auston-matthews-first-pick-2016-nhl-draft/|title=Maple Leafs select Auston Matthews with first pick in 2016 NHL Draft|work=Sportsnet|publisher=Rogers Digital Media|access-date=June 29, 2017|date=June 24, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161102052253/http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/maple-leafs-select-auston-matthews-first-pick-2016-nhl-draft/|archive-date=November 2, 2016}}</ref>

[[File:Capitals-Maple Leafs (33848280780).jpg|thumb|left|The Maple Leafs faced the [[Washington Capitals]] in the first round of the [[2017 Stanley Cup playoffs|2017 playoffs]].]]
In their second season under Babcock, Toronto secured the final Eastern Conference wildcard spot for the [[2017 Stanley Cup playoffs|2017 playoffs]]. On April 23, 2017, the Maple Leafs were eliminated from the playoffs by the top-seeded [[Washington Capitals]] four games to two in the best-of-seven series.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/tor-vs-wsh/2017/04/23/2016030136|title=Washington Capitals – Toronto Maple Leafs – April 23rd, 2017|publisher=National Hockey League|date=April 23, 2017|access-date=April 23, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170424173917/https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/wsh-vs-tor/2017/04/23/2016030136#game=2016030136,game_state=final,game_tab=stats|archive-date=April 24, 2017}}</ref>

Toronto finished the [[2017–18 NHL season|2017–18 season]] with 105 points by beating Montreal 4–2 in their final game of the regular season, a franchise-record, beating the previous record of 103 points set in 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/mtl-vs-tor/2018/04/07/2017021259#game=2017021259,game_state=final|title=Maple Leafs set two team records in win against Canadiens|publisher=National Hockey League|date=April 7, 2018|access-date=April 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180408141412/https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/mtl-vs-tor/2018/04/07/2017021259#game=2017021259,game_state=final|archive-date=April 8, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> They faced the Boston Bruins in the first round and lost in seven games.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Goss|first1=Nicholas|title=Bruins Wrap: Jake DeBrusk Scores Twice, B's Beat Leafs 7-4 In Game 7 Thriller|url=https://nesn.com/2018/04/bruins-wrap-jake-debrusk-scores-twice-bs-beat-leafs-7-4-in-game-7-thriller/|website=NESN.com|access-date=April 26, 2018|date=April 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180426092856/https://nesn.com/2018/04/bruins-wrap-jake-debrusk-scores-twice-bs-beat-leafs-7-4-in-game-7-thriller/|archive-date=April 26, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Following the playoffs, Lamoriello was not renewed as general manager.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.tsn.ca/lamoriello-will-not-return-as-leafs-gm-1.1072178|title=Lamoriello will not return as Leafs GM – Article – TSN|date=April 30, 2018|work=TSN|access-date=May 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180502033217/https://www.tsn.ca/lamoriello-will-not-return-as-leafs-gm-1.1072178|archive-date=May 2, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Kyle Dubas]] was subsequently named the team's 17th general manager in May 2018.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/article-toronto-maple-leafs-appoint-kyle-dubas-new-general-manager/|title=Toronto Maple Leafs appoint 32-year-old Kyle Dubas as general manager|date=May 11, 2018|access-date=September 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180514142935/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/article-toronto-maple-leafs-appoint-kyle-dubas-new-general-manager/|archive-date=May 14, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> During the 2018 off-season, the Maple Leafs signed [[John Tavares]] to a seven-year, $77&nbsp;million contract.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/john-tavares-signs-seven-year-deal-with-toronto-maple-leafs/c-299370932|title=Tavares signs seven-year contract with Maple Leafs|publisher=National Hockey League|first=Brian|last=Compton|date=July 1, 2018|access-date=September 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180712044107/https://www.nhl.com/news/john-tavares-signs-seven-year-deal-with-toronto-maple-leafs/c-299370932|archive-date=July 12, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> On April 1, the Maple Leafs clinched a division berth for the [[2019 Stanley Cup playoffs]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/maple-leafs-clinch-playoff-spot-win-islanders/|work=Sportsnet|publisher=Rogers Digital Media|date=April 1, 2019|access-date=May 7, 2019|title=Maple Leafs clinch playoff spot with win over Islanders|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190406081823/https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/maple-leafs-clinch-playoff-spot-win-islanders/|archive-date=April 6, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> The Maple Leafs were eliminated in the first round of the 2019 playoffs on April 23, after losing to the Bruins in a seven-game series.<ref>{{cite web|last=Wharnsby|first=Tim|title=Leafs face another long summer of second-guessing after devastating Game 7 loss|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/nhl-toronto-boston-game-7-analysis-1.5108332|work=CBC Sports|publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|date=April 23, 2019|access-date=May 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190506041650/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/nhl-toronto-boston-game-7-analysis-1.5108332|archive-date=May 6, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

On October 2, 2019, Tavares was named as the team's 25th team captain prior to the Leafs' [[2019–20 NHL season|2019–20 season]] opening game.<ref name=tav25>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/nhl-toronto-maple-leafs-captain-1.5305610|title=NHL·New Toronto native John Tavares named captain of Maple Leafs|work=CBC News|publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=October 2, 2019|date=October 2, 2019|last=Clipperton|first=Joshua}}</ref> After a 9–10–4 start to the 2019–20 season, the club relieved Babcock as head coach on November 20, with [[Sheldon Keefe]] named as his replacement.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/maple-leafs-fire-head-coach-mike-babcock/|title=Maple Leafs fire head coach Mike Babcock|date=November 20, 2019|access-date=November 23, 2019|work=Sportsnet|publisher=Rogers Digital Media}}</ref> The Maple Leafs were eliminated in the [[2020 Stanley Cup playoffs#Stanley Cup Qualifiers|2020 Stanley Cup Qualifiers]] on August 9, after losing a five-game series against the [[Columbus Blue Jackets]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/toronto-maple-leafs-lose-game-5-to-columbus-blue-jackets/c-318367262|title=Maple Leafs denied playoff run again with Game 5 loss to Blue Jackets|last=Rosen|first=Dan|date=August 10, 2020|access-date=August 17, 2020|publisher=National Hockey League|website=www.nhl.com}}</ref>

[[File:Auston Matthews 9.jpg|thumb|[[Auston Matthews]], wearing [[eye black]]s, during an outdoor practice with the Maple Leafs at [[Nathan Phillips Square]], January 2020.]]
Due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] and travel restrictions at the [[Canada–United States border]], the Leafs were temporarily moved to the [[North Division (NHL)|North Division]] for the 2020–21 season alongside the NHL's other Canadian teams. During that season, teams only played games against teams in their divisions, in a limited 56-game season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/hurricanes/news/how-new-divisions-schedule-will-work-in-2020-21-nhl-season/c-319819070|last=Smith|first=Michael|website=NHL.com|date=December 20, 2021|access-date=May 18, 2021|publisher=NHL Enterprises, L.P.|title=How New Divisions, Schedule Will Work in 2020–21 NHL Season}}</ref> On May 8, 2021, the Leafs clinched the North Division title, giving the Leafs guaranteed [[home advantage]] in the first two rounds of the [[2021 Stanley Cup playoffs]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/2154912|last=Teague|first=Matt|website=thescore.com|publisher=Score Media Ventures|title=Maple Leafs clinch 1st division title in 21 years|date=May 8, 2021|access-date=May 18, 2021}}</ref> Matthews also led the league in goals with 41 goals, becoming the first Maple Leaf to win the [[Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy]]. However, the Leafs lost in the first round to [[Canadiens–Maple Leafs rivalry|their rivals]], the [[Montreal Canadiens]], with the Leafs [[List of teams to overcome 3–1 series deficits|surrendering a 3–1 series lead]] in the process.<ref>{{Cite web|date=May 31, 2021|title=Another playoff collapse ends Maple Leafs season in heartbreaking fashion after Game 7 loss to Canadiens|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/leafs/analysis/2021/05/31/from-harold-ballard-to-david-clarkson-summing-up-54-years-of-maple-leafs-misery-in-250-words.html|access-date=July 30, 2021|website=thestar.com}}</ref>

Despite the ending to the previous season, the Leafs were poised to make another run, with much of the core roster intact. Aided by the arrival of defenceman [[Mark Giordano]] and centre [[Colin Blackwell]] from the [[Seattle Kraken]] on March 21, the team cruised throughout the regular season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/coyotes/news/coyotes-trade-hutton-to-toronto-in-exchange-for-future-considerations/c-331056118|title=Coyotes Trade Hutton to Toronto In Exchange For Future Considerations|publisher=Arizona Coyotes|date=February 21, 2022|access-date=February 21, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Giordano traded to Maple Leafs by Kraken|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/mark-giordano-traded-to-maple-leafs-by-kraken/c-331816932|website=NHL.com|access-date=March 20, 2022|date=March 20, 2022}}</ref> The Maple Leafs broke their franchise record for points in a season, with 115, and wins in a season, with 50, during a 4–2 victory over the [[New York Islanders]] on April 17.<ref>{{cite web |title=Leafs set franchise record for wins, points in a season after beating Islanders|url=https://www.tsn.ca/toronto-maple-leafs-franchise-record-wins-points-in-single-season-1.1786907|website=TSN.ca |access-date=April 22, 2022 |date=April 17, 2022}}</ref> Despite the achievement, they were unable to match the league-leading [[Florida Panthers]]', finishing second in the Atlantic Division<ref>{{cite web |title=Florida Panthers clinch Atlantic Division title, home-ice advantage throughout East playoffs |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/33782274/florida-panthers-clinch-atlantic-division-title-home-ice-advantage-east-playoffs |website=[[ESPN]] |access-date=April 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220422034522/https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/33782274/florida-panthers-clinch-atlantic-division-title-home-ice-advantage-east-playoffs |archive-date=April 22, 2022 |date=April 21, 2022}}</ref> During the season, Matthews became the first Leaf in a decade to score 60 goals in a season, and was awarded the [[Hart Memorial Trophy]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/maple-leafs-star-auston-matthews-wins-the-hart-trophy/|title=Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews wins the Hart Trophy|date=June 21, 2022|access-date=October 24, 2023|website=www.sportsnet.ca|publisher=Rogers Digital Media}}</ref> The Leafs made the playoffs but lost in the first round to the [[Tampa Bay Lightning]] in seven games.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cp24.com/sports/maple-leafs-eliminated-from-playoffs-after-2-1-loss-to-lightning-in-game-7-1.5903842|website=www.cp24.com|publisher=Bell Media|title=Maple Leafs eliminated from playoffs after 2-1 loss to Lightning in Game 7|last=Clipperton|first=Joshua|date=May 14, 2022|access-date=October 5, 2022}}</ref> With this loss, the Maple Leafs became the first team in the four major North American sports leagues to lose five consecutive winner-take-all games.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mirtle |first1=James |title=Mirtle: What changes do the Maple Leafs need after another early exit? |url=https://theathletic.com/3312528/2022/05/15/mirtle-maple-leafs-whats-next-after-playoff-exit/ |website=The Athletic |access-date=November 22, 2023 |date=May 15, 2022}}</ref>

The 2022 off-season saw the departure of the Leafs' goalie tandem, [[Jack Campbell (ice hockey)|Jack Campbell]] and [[Petr Mrazek]], the former signing with Edmonton, the latter being traded to the Blackhawks during the [[2022 NHL entry draft]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Oilers sign Jack Campbell to five-year, $25-million contract |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/oilers-sign-jack-campbell-to-five-year-25-million-contract/ |access-date=October 24, 2023 |website=Sportsnet.ca}}</ref> Needing a goaltender tandem for the upcoming season, the Leafs acquired [[Matt Murray (ice hockey, born 1994)|Matt Murray]] through a trade with the Senators,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Senators trade Matt Murray, draft picks to Maple Leafs for future considerations |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/senators-trade-matt-murray-draft-picks-to-maple-leafs-for-future-considerations/ |access-date=October 24, 2023 |website=Sportsnet.ca}}</ref> and signed free agent [[Ilya Samsonov]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Maple Leafs sign goalie Ilya Samsonov to one-year, $1.8-million contract |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/maple-leafs-sign-goalie-ilya-samsonov-to-one-year-1-8-million-contract/ |access-date=October 24, 2023 |website=Sportsnet.ca}}</ref>

During the [[2022–23 NHL season]], the Leafs again fared well in the regular season, achieving an excellent 50–21–11 record and 111 points, one point less than the record achieved the season prior. However, the record-setting [[2022–23 Boston Bruins season|2022–23 Boston Bruins]] led the division, finishing with 135 points, and leaving the Leafs in second place in the Atlantic. In the [[2023 Stanley Cup playoffs#(A2) Toronto Maple Leafs vs. (A3) Tampa Bay Lightning|first round]] of the playoffs, the Leafs defeated the Lightning in a six-game series, marking the first time the Maple Leafs advanced to the second round of the playoff appearance since 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2023/04/30/sport/toronto-maple-leafs-nhl-playoffs-spt-intl/index.html|website=CNN|publisher=CNN|title=Toronto Maple Leafs win first NHL playoff series since 2004|last=Lev|first=Jacob|date=April 30, 2023|access-date=May 1, 2023}}</ref> During the series with the Lightning, the Leafs became the first NHL team to win three road playoff games in overtime. However, the Leafs lost to the Florida Panthers in the second round in five games.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Panthers 3-2 Maple Leafs (May 12, 2023) Final Score |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/game/_/gameId/401545899 |access-date=October 24, 2023 |website=ESPN}}</ref> Following the loss, Dubas' contract as general manager was not renewed with the club for the 2023–24 season.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schram |first=Carol |title=Kyle Dubas Is Out As Toronto Maple Leafs General Manager |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/carolschram/2023/05/19/kyle-dubas-is-out-as-toronto-maple-leafs-general-manager/ |access-date=October 24, 2023 |website=Forbes}}</ref> Dubas was then replaced by [[Brad Treliving]] on May 31.<ref>{{cite web|last=Shilton|first=Kristen|title=Maple Leafs hire Brad Treliving as next GM|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/37767835/sources-maple-leafs-hire-brad-treliving-new-gm|access-date=October 24, 2023|website=ESPN.com|publisher=ESPN Enterprises|date=May 31, 2023}}</ref>

In [[2023–24 NHL season|2023–24]], the team finished with a 46–26–10 record, good for 102 points and the third seed in the Atlantic Division. Matthews broke his own career and franchise records for goals in a season, with 69, and was awarded his third Rocket Richard Trophy.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 19, 2024 |title=Matthews wins Richard Trophy as NHL's leading goal-scorer for 3rd time |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/auston-matthews-wins-nhl-maurice-rocket-richard-trophy |access-date=May 10, 2024 |website=www.nhl.com}}</ref> However, they were again eliminated in the first round of the playoffs, falling to the Bruins in seven games.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 5, 2024 |title=Pastrnak, Bruins eliminate Maple Leafs with OT win in Game 7 |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/toronto-maple-leafs-boston-bruins-game-7-recap-may-4 |access-date=May 10, 2024 |website=www.nhl.com}}</ref> After the season, Keefe was dismissed as head coach on May 9,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Toronto Maple Leafs fire head coach Sheldon Keefe |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs-fire-head-coach-sheldon-keefe/ |access-date=May 10, 2024 |website=Sportsnet.ca}}</ref> with [[Craig Berube]] hired as his successor on May 17.<ref name="517Berube">{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/toronto-maple-leafs-hire-craig-berube-as-coach |title=Berube hired as Maple Leafs coach, replaces Keefe |website=NHL.com |date=May 17, 2024 |access-date=May 17, 2024}}</ref> That off-season, Tavares relinquished his role as captain to Matthews on August 14, 2024, with the latter becoming the 26th overall and first American-born captain in franchise history.<ref>{{cite web |last=McCarthy |first=Dave |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/auston-matthews-named-toronto-captain-replaces-john-tavares |title=Matthews named Maple Leafs captain, replaces Tavares |access-date=August 14, 2024 |website=NHL.com |date=August 14, 2024}}</ref>

The team finished the [[2024–25 NHL season|2024–25 season]] with a 52–26–4 record, topping the Atlantic Division with 108 points, their first division championship in the Atlantic, setting up a [[Battle of Ontario]] matchup with the [[Wild card (sports)#National Hockey League|wild card]] Ottawa Senators in the first round of the [[2025 Stanley Cup playoffs|2025 playoffs]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Maple Leafs clinch division to set up Battle of Ontario playoff series vs. Senators |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/nhl-playoffs-canada-rdp-1.7511443 |access-date=May 18, 2025 |website=CBC.ca.com |date=April 16, 2025}}</ref> In doing so, Berube broke the record for most wins for a Maple Leafs coach in his first season, previously held by [[Pat Quinn (ice hockey)|Pat Quinn]], who had 45 in the [[1998–99 NHL season|1998–99 season]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Craig Berube's First Season With the Maple Leafs a Record-Setting Campaign |url=https://www.mapleleafsdaily.com/nhl-team/toronto-maple-leafs/craig-berube-first-season-with-the-maple-leafs-a-record-setting-campaign |access-date=April 25, 2025 |website=MapleLeafsDaily |date=April 15, 2025}}</ref> The Leafs defeated the Senators in a six-game series. As with the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs, the Leafs faced the Florida Panthers in the second round of the playoffs. The Leafs' goaltender [[Anthony Stolarz]] was injured in game 1 and was replaced with [[Joseph Woll]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Masters |first=Mark |title=Maple Leafs' Anthony Stolarz exits Game 1 after hit to head |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6346419/2025/05/10/maple-leafs-anthony-stolarz-injury-panthers/ |access-date=May 12, 2025 |website=The Athletic |publisher=The New York Times |date=May 10, 2025}}</ref> Toronto subsequently lost the series to Florida in seven games.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sachdeva |first1=Sonny |title=Maple Leafs' seven-minute collapse spirals into Game 7 disaster |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/maple-leafs-seven-minute-collapse-spirals-into-game-7-disaster/ |website=Sportsnet.ca |access-date=May 19, 2025 |date=May 18, 2025}}</ref>