A Very Early Look at the Toronto Maple Leafs Power Play Options
The Toronto Maple Leafs had the NHL’s 6th best Power Play in the 2019-2020 season (in terms of conversion percentage) under now-departed Assistant Coach Paul McFarland. After offseason moves, the team will be able to field two formidable PP units, and will have more options for deployment.
The major changes made by McFarland to the setup of the Power Play last season were moving John Tavares up to the “bumper” spot in the high slot, and moving William Nylander up to the first unit as the net-front presence. Although the results over the long-term were there, there were many stretches during the season when the Power Play would stagnate.
While most of that had to do with the Leafs insistence on using a predictable and easily defended zone entry strategy, some of the struggles also had to do with the players being somewhat uncomfortable in their positions.
Tavares was awesome on the PP in 2018-2019 when he was used in front of the net – similarly to James Van Riemsdyk in years prior – potting 10 goals for the Leafs. Last season in the bumper position, Tavares was forced to be more involved in creating space for Marner and Matthews to operate, which led to an increase in assists and PP points overall, but forced him to be more opportunistic hunting for his own shot.
Interestingly, the high slot position was once one of the Leafs most effective goal-scoring positions on the PP, with Nazem Kadri starring in the role in 2016-2017 and 2017-2018, scoring 12 goals each season from that spot, and Tyler Bozak producing there as well. It was only once Tavares came to the Leafs and they loaded up the first unit, pairing Matthews and Marner, that the bumper position struggled. (Stats via Hockey-Reference)
With Matthews and Marner on the wings in the 1-3-1 setup used by the Leafs, the focus is (rightfully so) on the cross-ice pass for the one-timer. This results in the bumper being used as a decoy for most of the action, trying to open up the cross-ice seam for either Marner or Matthews. Tavares still found ways to be effective on the PP, but he no longer had the tap-ins around the net that Marner and Matthews would set up for him the year prior.
These issues are minor considering that the Toronto Maple Leafs converted on 23.1% of their PP opportunities , but can cause problems when teams have time to scout and game plan for their attack, such as in the playoffs (15.4% on the PP, although with an extremely small sample size). Ironing out these inefficiencies will be crucial to the Leafs success, but look for that improvement to come from within rather than via any of the new editions – at least on the first unit. (Stats via TSN)
The Toronto Maple Leafs First Unit
In the 1-3-1 setup the Leafs deploy on the Power Play, each spot has a distinctive role that contributes to the success of the unit as a hole. While last season saw certain players struggle to adapt to new roles, there’s not likely to be any major shakeups when it comes to the 6th ranked PP in the NHL. However, with Joe Thornton and Wayne Simmonds added to the fold, anything could happen should someone struggle or get injured.
On the Wings:
Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner have paired up to form a lethal duo on the Power Play, racking up 90 PP points over the past two seasons, and nobody should expect that to change anytime soon. Matthews possesses the lethal shot, capable of beating goalies from any angle. Marner on the other hand sucks defenders towards him before finding an open teammate for a scoring opportunity. (Stats via Hockey-Reference)
Expect them to line up on their off wings, as they did last season, to set up the cross seam one-timer. They shouldn’t get too focused on that play however, as that was a contributing factor to the Power Play becoming stagnant last season.
Net-Front:
William Nylander finally got going on the PP in this spot, putting up 17 points when the Leafs had the extra man last season. This was Nylander’s best performance on the Power Play since 2016-2017, when he and Auston Matthews were paired together, and he put up 27 PPP. (Stats via Hockey-Reference)
Getting Nylander going is always going to be a key for the Leafs, as although he has always been able to put up great statistics, he can sometimes play tentatively when the team doesn’t get him involved early. This is the same on the PP, where an aggressive Nylander can be a difference-maker entering the zone. He’s also proven adept at sucking defenders below the goal-line, opening up space for Marner, Matthews and Tavares to get open.
Bumper:
As already mentioned, John Tavares didn’t appear totally comfortable in this spot last season. However, the Leafs don’t have anyone who can better play the role, and traded away the only player who possibly could in Andreas Johnsson.
The importance of the bumper position is not to be understated, as it opens up a treasure chest of options for the first unit. When they were rolling last season, it was because Marner and Matthews began looking to work the puck into the middle – either directly to Tavares, or via Nylander down low – and scrambling the defenders.
With Tavares’ skill level and shot, the Leafs’ ability to create space for him in the middle is crucial to unlocking another level for this first unit.
On the Point:
With Tyson Barrie headed to Edmonton, and his replacement (T.J. Brodie) not being a major Power Play threat, Morgan Rielly is back to his comfortable perch atop this talented Leafs first unit. Although he doesn’t possess the powerful shot of a typical Power Play defensemen, Rielly is constantly moving in the offensive zone and always a threat flying around on the rush, and his shot is always accurate.
Rielly was a lethal playmaker for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the two seasons prior to last on the PP, speeding into the offensive zone for easy setups and drawing defenders to him before dishing out to one of Matthews, Marner or Nylander. With such talented forwards around him, Rielly does a great impression of a Point Guard, making sure the offence is running efficiently and effectively.
The Much Improved Second Unit
While Alex Kerfoot, Andreas Johnsson, Jason Spezza, and Kasperi Kapenen are good players, with all due respect to them, they aren’t Joe Thornton.
‘Jumbo’ Joe has the 7th most assists (1,089) in the history of the NHL (via ESPN). While Thornton’s age has affected much of his game, his passing and smarts remain elite. The Leafs are also adding a player with 166 career Power Play points in Wayne Simmonds, who at the very least can be a tough presence for defenders to deal with in front of the net. There is no doubt this second unit will be much improved. (Stats via Hockey-Reference)
There is doubt, however, about what formation the coaching staff will deploy for them. While the Leafs normally ice the same formation for both units, Thornton played in a number of formations and roles while in San Jose. He provides the team with more flexibility than in seasons prior that the coaching staff would be wise to take advantage of. For that reason, we’ll focus solely on personnel rather than positions for this unit.
The due of Thornton and Spezza are still dangerous on the Power Play, even while they are well past their primes. Both are pretty much stationary threats, but the unique skills they possess – Thornton with his passing and Spezza with his hands and shot – allow them to be effective nonetheless.
Wayne Simmonds is the obvious candidate to start the season alongside his fellow veterans, although the Leafs aren’t short on bruisers who can finish around the net if he fails to produce. He’s coming off a couple of injury-plagued seasons, and both he and the Leafs are hoping that an extended offseason (he and the Sabres missed the Playoffs, and therefore have been off since mid-March) can revitalize him.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have lots of options when it comes to the other two spots on the second unit.
The fourth forward spot could go to any number of players. Zach Hyman had the highest points total last season for any forward outside of the high paid star foursome, despite only playing in 51 games. Alex Kerfoot is a more skilled player, who plays with a pass-first attitude, but doesn’t offer much in terms of goal scoring. There’s also the hard shot of Nick Robertson, who the Toronto Maple Leafs coaching staff will want to get Power Play time if he makes the roster. Ilya Mikheyev could also get a shot on the second unit, although he’ll also be a crucial part of the penalty kill.
On Defense, the competition is equally as strong. T.J. Brodie isn’t a major offensive threat, but he is capable of manning a second unit. The same could be said for Jake Muzzin, who has played on the second unit sporadically in his season and a half in the blue and white. The wild card is Rasmus Sandin, who like Robertson may be fed some time with this unit if he makes the roster.
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Kerfoot and Brodie are the favorites for the final two spots, but there should be lots of mixing and matching in the early parts of the season as Keefe finds the combinations he likes best.