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3 Players that Must Step Up for the Toronto Maple Leafs

By Jeremiah Lee

May 12, 2022; Tampa, Florida, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs center John Tavares (91) works out prior to game six of the first round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
May 12, 2022; Tampa, Florida, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs center John Tavares (91) works out prior to game six of the first round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Toronto Maple Leafs
TORONTO, ON – MAY 27: Alexander Kerfoot #15 of the Toronto Maple Leafs . (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /

Toronto Maple Leafs Who Need to Step Up: Alex Kerfoot

Though a popular target for trade rumours,  Alex Kerfoot shouldn’t be traded, and if he can step up his game after a career season last year, the Leafs will be much improved.

Kerfoot is a solid defender, and he was the most used player with Nylander and Tavares last season.  Kerfoot scored 13 times and finished with 51 points, which is a lot considering he doesn’t play on the power-play.  (stats naturalstattrick.com).

Kerfoot was actually third on the Leafs in 5v5 scoring, ahead of both his linemates.

Playing on a line with John Tavares and William Nylander isn’t an easy task for anyone and a player with the same skillset as Kerfoot, who isn’t as naturally skilled offensively, may find himself left behind more often than not. However, with the skilled line mates that he will have, the only obvious thing for Kerfoot would be this: Don’t mess up. For example, let’s say that Tavares and Nylander did all the work to set Kerfoot up for a tap-in goal. All he has to do is not miss the net.

Kerfoot is obvsiouly way above average for being a team’s 4th best winger, but he is going to have to step it up this year if he wants to keep his job, because Nick Robertson is coming off a point-per-game AHL performance where he scored 16 goals in 28 games.

Robertson has the second-best shot on the Leafs after Matthews, and is going to get every chance to make the team.  This means that Alex Kerfoot must improve on his career season if he wants to stay in Toronto.

Expectations: 60 pts this season

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