Toronto Maple Leafs: Individual Year End Rankings, Forwards

Mar 21, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Brooks Laich (23) congratulates forward William Nylander (39) after a win over the Calgary Flames at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated Calgary 5-2. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 21, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Brooks Laich (23) congratulates forward William Nylander (39) after a win over the Calgary Flames at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated Calgary 5-2. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

At seasons end the Toronto Maple Leafs dressed 46 different players this season, with many making their NHL and/or Leaf debuts.

I have ranked each player on a grade scale (A, B, …F) that has played at least 20 games this season for Toronto and is still with the team. These grades are based more on both how they fared to their expectations at the beginning of the season than the level of player they are relative to the rest of the team. Here is the first group of forward rankings, part two will be coming in another post.

Forwards:

B. Nazem Kadri had another controversial season. Some argue he is an elite center with bad luck, and others argue he is an immature player that is getting way too much credit. With another year full of fines and discipline, his level of maturity still has room to grow.  As does his shot, big time.  But he does leave it all on the ice each and every shift. But I cannot agree that he is a product of bad luck but rather his pitiful 6.5% shooting percentage is more a product of his weak shot from the same position each time (the top of the circle). Many expected and hoped this would be a break through for Kadri, and some argue he had it. But with 17 goals with first line minutes, I can’t tell you that I think he greatly surpassed expectations. He did however improve his 200 foot game and earned the trust of Mike Babcock.. C. Toronto Maple Leafs. NAZEM KADRI

Toronto Maple Leafs. COLIN GREENING. B. A surprise addition to the Toronto Maple Leafs roster after failing to make an impression in Ottawa. With 15 points in 30 games, his minutes were sheltered but was a capable third liner albeit one that didn’t always make his presence obvious. His quiet .5 points per game is what is what was the most pleasant surprise as only six other players had a higher points per game than Greening (min 20 games).. LW

Until he went down with a season ending injury, JVR was on a similar pace as his previous two seasons. He has become a very consistent player for the Toronto Maple Leafs. He was very good in his 40 games this season and was the player we all expected which earns him a solid B grade.. LW. Toronto Maple Leafs. JAMES VAN REIMSDYK. B

A. Leo is a player that can be moved up and down the linuep and both on the wing and center. He was a solid force that made himself known each game whiel chipping in on the score sheet often.  The only disappointing part from Leo all season was getting injured. He shined above many other Toronto Maple Leafs this season and earned himself the title of part of the “core” by GM Lamoriello.. LW. Toronto Maple Leafs. LEO KOMAROV

C+. Grabner has never been able to live up to the expectations of his rookie season but by the time he became a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs, we knew this. While his numerous breakaways were quite impressive, his lack ability to take advantage was just far too great. With nine goals and nine assists, it is a brutal result with the number of opportunities that he created for himself. Through 80 games he had lots of opportunities to show for his efforts, but very little results.. RW. Toronto Maple Leafs. MICHAEL GRABNER

A. With 20 goals and 41 points, good for second on the team, PA excelled in his role as part of the Toronto Maple Leafs. It came as a shock to many when he was not traded at the deadline, likely a result of his injury at the time.  This is a move that I’m sure Lamoriello would have liked to have back and move him sooner. Parenteau was a leader on and off the ice for the Toronto Maple Leafs and nobody expected him to be the second leading point getter on the team and the leader in goals. He far exceeded many of our expectations as he thrived in his opportunity. I do not see a player that surpassed their expectations more than PA Parenteau…just too bad we didn’t get anything for him.. RW. Toronto Maple Leafs. PA PARENTEAU

PETER HOLLAND. C. Peter Holland struggled at center ice under the Mike Babcock led Toronto Maple Leafs and it looked like he had played himself off the team. But with injuries he was able to find some quality time on the wing where Babcock obvious is much more comfortable having him. While he did show some ability on the boards, this year was his opportunity to start taking over a bigger role at center, instead he went backwards. I hoped he would make the most of his opportunity this year and challenge a Tyler Bozak for his role on the team but it turned out to be far too much to expect from the Toronto native.. C/LW. Toronto Maple Leafs

Next: Frederik Andersen is Not the Leafs Answer