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Toronto Maple Leafs Player Grades at the All-Star Break

By Jarrett Noakes

TORONTO, ON - MARCH 25: Auston Matthews #34, William Nylander #29, and Andreas Johnsson #18 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skate on the ice before playing the Florida Panthers at the Scotiabank Arena on March 25, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - MARCH 25: Auston Matthews #34, William Nylander #29, and Andreas Johnsson #18 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skate on the ice before playing the Florida Panthers at the Scotiabank Arena on March 25, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – APRIL 15: Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates his goal against the Boston Bruins during the second period in Game Three of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Scotiabank Arena on April 15, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – APRIL 15: Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates his goal against the Boston Bruins during the second period in Game Three of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Scotiabank Arena on April 15, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Centres:

Auston Matthews: A+ (49 GP – 34 G, 23 A, 57 PTS)

Matthews has been the Leafs MVP this season. He is on track for career highs in points (96), goals (57), assists (39), ice time (20:20/GP) and shots (326). Matthews’ current pace for 57 goals would be more than any player in the 103 year history of the franchise.

John Tavares: A (42 GP – 18 G, 23 A, 41 PTS)

Tavares has handled the captaincy as a consummate professional throughout this season. He is a model of consistency as a point per game player, but has been exposed on some defensive miscues this season, which he needs to clean up.

Jason Spezza: B (37 GP – 6 G, 12 A, 18 PTS)

Spezza’s ceiling is not as high as it once was, but he’s shown a surprising amount of speed and energy for a player who was thought to be on the decline over the past couple seasons.

Alex Kerfoot: B- (44 GP – 8 G, 11 A, 19 PTS)

Kerfoot hasn’t been bad, but he hasn’t lived up to expectations either. Fans expecting a 45+ point player with two-way ability and great skating could be disappointed with Kerfoot’s modest production.

Frederik Gauthier: C (44 GP – 6 G, 4 A, 10 PTS)

Gauthier hasn’t evolved into the mean 6’5″ presence in the centre of the ice that would set him apart from other NHL tweeners, but he is  a serviceable fourth liner.

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