A Very Early Look at the Toronto Maple Leafs Power Play Options

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.

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.