Toronto Maple Leafs Forward Grades 2019-20 Regular Season

TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 17: Ilya Mikheyev #65 of the Toronto Maple Leafs waits for a faceoff against the Buffalo Sabres during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on December 17, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Sabres 5-3.(Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 17: Ilya Mikheyev #65 of the Toronto Maple Leafs waits for a faceoff against the Buffalo Sabres during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on December 17, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Sabres 5-3.(Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
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Toronto Maple Leafs
TORONTO, ON – FEBRUARY 11: Andreas Johnsson #18 of the Toronto Maple Leafs. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)

Andreas Johnsson

Johnsson’s 8 goals and 21 points in 43 games this year were seen as a bit of a disappointment.

Still just 25 and signed to a very reasonable contract, Toronto Maple Leafs fans tend to underrate Johnsson and should not be so quick to see him traded.

The former seventh rounder is the Leafs best left winger (yes, even better than Hyman and Mikheyev) and one of the only gritty sandpaper types on the team.

Two seasons ago he was worth an astounding 3.8 WAR and despite injuries was still worth 0.8 this year.  Johnsson scored at a first line rate last year, and while he didn’t accomplish that this year, he still posted a 53% Corsi and a positive expected goals rating.

Of all Leafs regulars, Johnsson had the lowest on-ice shooting percentage, partially explaining his low totals.

A line of Johnsson-Matthews-Nylander was the Leafs most common when Johnsson was healthy, and should once again be going forward.

Potentially, Johnsson could be a 30 goal point-per-game player, so I hope the Leafs find a way to retain him.   It is a big blow that he won’t be ready to play in the Playoffs.