What The AHL Calder Cup Winning Marlies Had That The Maple Leafs Are Still Searching For
The Toronto Marlies won their second Calder Cup in franchise history on Friday night. But unlike the 2018 Marlies that won the Calder Cup, this win has real implications for the 2026 Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Marlies didn't win the Calder Cup because they overwhelmed teams with talent. They won because everyone understood their role, bought into an identity, and delivered when the stakes were highest.
That identity was on display when the lights were brightest.
Vinni Lettieri was brought in to provide leadership and depth, and scored the game-winning goal in the Cup-clinching game, while captain Logan Shaw embodied the style that carried Toronto throughout the playoffs.
Jim Hiller Must Believe In Maple Leafs Youngsters More Than He Did With Kings
Jim Hiller's track record in developing young players isn't the best. That's going to have to change with players such as Easton Cowan, Matthew Knies, Emil Andrae and the 2026 first overall pick potentially in the lineup next year. Here's how Hiller fared with the Los Angeles Kings in that aspect.
Funny enough, that's exactly what Hiller wanted for breakouts with the Kings. He wants a smart defensive system, but then an explosion with rush offense, leading to a potential run-and-gun style under the talent the Leafs have.
When structure wasn't enough, Artur Akhtyamov was. The playoff MVP posted a .923 save percentage and delivered the type of game-stealing performances championship teams need.
Consistent goaltending has often abandoned the Maple Leafs in the post-season. The organization clearly believes in its goaltending pipeline after trading Joseph Woll to the Philadelphia Flyers, and Akhtyamov's run only strengthened that belief.
Maple Leafs Assistant GM Ryan Hardy Explains Akhtyamov Playing More Than Hildeby With Marlies
While the Toronto Marlies have an outstanding goaltending tandem, Artur Akhtyamov has had the net for the majority of the AHL Calder Cup playoffs. Toronto Maple Leafs assistant GM and Marlies GM Ryan Hardy explains how it got here.
Though physicality was certainly visible with the Marlies through this Cup run, Alex Nylander, meanwhile, appeared to take a slightly different approach. Physicality wasn't exactly his calling card, but fortunately for the Marlies, scoring goals was. Nylander finished with seven points, with six of those being goals.
Ultimately, the Marlies won because their stars delivered, their role players mattered, and their entire roster bought into something bigger than themselves.
That's something the Maple Leafs have spent years trying to build, but championship DNA doesn't leave an organization.
Are The Marlies Staff, Players Destined For Maple Leafs And NHL Roles?: Comparing This Year's Marlies To The 2018 Calder Cup Champions
With the Toronto Marlies advancing to the Calder Cup final, how does this team compare to the 2018 Calder Cup champions, and what staff members or players are destined for the NHL?
Easton Cowan will be back with the NHL club next season, while Ben Danford, Villeneuve, Bo Groulx, Sim, Jacob Quillan, Luke Haymes, and Lettieri could all be fighting for spots come September.
At least Leafs fans can now get a glimpse of the type of hockey they might see next season, and maybe some names who play big roles in the Leafs' next cup window.
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This story was originally published June 21, 2026 at 12:58 PM.