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10 Predictions for the Toronto Maple Leafs Off-Season

By Jordan Maresky

TORONTO, ON-Toronto-DUBAS.The Maple Leafs announced today the promotion of Kyle Dubas to General Manager. Brendan Shanahan was on hand for the announcement..October 30, 2012. (Rene Johnston/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON-Toronto-DUBAS.The Maple Leafs announced today the promotion of Kyle Dubas to General Manager. Brendan Shanahan was on hand for the announcement..October 30, 2012. (Rene Johnston/Toronto Star via Getty Images) /
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Toronto Maple Leafs
TORONTO, ON – FEBRUARY 21: Travis Dermott #23 of the Toronto Maple Leafs looks on against the Washington Capitals during the second period at the Scotiabank Arena on February 21, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Sousa/NHLI via Getty Images) /

No. 8: Joe Thornton replaces Jason Spezza as the Leafs 4C

Jason Spezza’s tenure in Toronto was one of the few bright spots for this organization in 2019-20. Scoring 9 goals and 16 points while only playing 10:50 a night (stats; hockey-reference), Spezza provided tremendous value for the Toronto Maple Leafs on a league minimum contract.

Likewise, the off-ice intangibles Spezza brought to this organization cannot be forgotten. His veteran leadership and mentorship of Toronto’s young core (Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander namely) reaped incredible rewards this season and will continue to do so for years to come. Sadly, there is only room for one 35+, league-minimum contract on this roster and that should go to Joe Thornton.

The biggest addition Thornton would bring is his grit and nastiness night in and night out. Toronto has long been criticized for being too “soft” and not having enough hard-nosed players. Spezza fits that bill, Thornton does not.

For his career, Spezza is averaging 0.24 hits/game. For Thornton, he is almost triple that at 0.66 hits/game. Thornton has also shown more of a willingness to drop the gloves with the opposition, registering 27 fighting majors for his career to Spezza’s six.

Looking at both players’ raw stats, Thornton has been a significantly better point producer over the last three years. Thornton is averaging 0.7 goals/60 and 2.3 points/60 compared to Spezza’s 0.57 goals/60 and 1.77 points/60. (stats; evolving-hockey.com).

His grit and superior point production make ‘Jumbo’ Joe the perfect fit in the Leafs fourth-line center role.

No. 7: Travis Dermott is traded – on one condition.

It is such a shame it has come to this point, but it is time to say goodbye to Travis Dermott. The classic example of a tools vs. toolbox type of player, Dermott has all the potential to become a great top four defensemen in this league.

Many times during the 2019-20 season, Dermott was given the opportunity to show he was there in his development, however, squandered the chance every time. None more significant than when Jake Muzzin went down with an injury during the Columbus series and Dermott was just unable to answer the bell.

The Leafs are one of the deepest teams on the left side of the blueline. With Morgan Rielly, Jake Muzzin, and Mikko Lehtonen all basically guaranteed spots on next year’s roster, coupled with him likely being passed on the depth chart by Rasmus Sandin, there does not seem to be room for Dermott anymore.

However, I said there was one condition. Dermott is from Newmarket, Ontario and as a Toronto kid, being drafted by the Leafs and as an RFA, he may choose to accept his qualifying offer of $874,125. In this case, it is easy to see how the Leafs can add to the right side of their blueline while keeping Dermott in the fold as well. But should Dermott reject the offer and fight for over a million on his next deal, it sadly will not be with the Leafs.

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