4 Things We’ve Learned From Toronto Maple Leafs 2022-23 Season
No. 1: Kyle Dubas is an Elite General Manager
Say what you want about Kyle Dubas’ inability to win in the playoffs, but that onus has to go on the players. I know he’s the one who put those players together, but his work has been brilliant, despite the lack of playoff success.
Throughout his tenure as GM, he’s put together a regular season juggernaut. By February every year, it feels like the Leafs have practically locked up a playoff spot and this season was no different. However, Dubas’ ability to change his philosophy is why he’s an elite manager.
At this year’s NHL Trade Deadline, the Leafs could have stayed put, or at least, only made one big splash. Instead, they not only acquired Ryan O’Reilly, but added Sam Lafferty, Jake McCabe, Noel Acciari, Luke Schenn and Erik Gustafsson. Dubas made a valiant effort to add leadership and toughness, which are obviously two big components to winning playoff games.
Not only will those moves hopefully translate into playoff wins, but his ability to sign Calle Jarnkrok, Mark Giordano and Ilya Samsonov over the offseason have been steals. Jarnkrok is on-pace for 20 goals, Giordano has been the Leafs most consistent defenseman and Samsonov will probably start Game 1 of the playoffs.
For a combined $4.7M, you can’t really find better talent than that at that price, so Dubas deserves a ton of credit once again.
No. 2: Michael Bunting Isn’t a Fluke
When Bunting finished the 2021-22 season with 23 goals and 63 points, all while being nominated for the Calder Trophy, many looked at the year as a fluke.
When you’re playing alongside Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner every night, it’s easy to be a beneficiary to their greatness, but Bunting has backed it up.
Obviously playing alongside Matthews helps, it goes both ways.
With 21 goals and 46 points thus far, Bunting will fall short of his point-total from last year but has a chance to bypass his goals, which would be pretty impressive.
Not only can Bunting score, but he plays a style of hockey that will translate well in the playoffs. There aren’t too many players in the NHL who chirp more than Bunting and that edge will make him a pest to play against during the playoffs.
As we look forward to the playoffs, Bunting is a player who could be a difference-maker.
He needs to continue to play with an edge, but could come up with a big goal that sends this team into the Second Round of the playoffs.
No. 3: Mitch Marner is Leafs Best Player
It seems somewhat impossible to have a better player than Auston Matthews, after he won the Hart Trophy last year, but Marner has now eclipsed him.
Marner not only leads the team with 95 points, but his defensive-play is incredible.
He’s one of the best players in the NHL at batting the puck down and driving the other way and is an elite penalty-killer. In fact, he’s more deadly to score on the penalty-kill than he is 5v5.
For the first six years, Matthews was clearly the better player. He scored more goals, he won the awards and was featured on the video games, but Marner’s just as talented, if not more, at this very moment.
And when the coach slides him down to the second line with John Tavares, he makes the captain better and in-turn, makes the entire roster better.
Marner should not only be considered for the Hart Trophy this year (although Connor McDavid will win it), but he should also be up for the Selke Award.
His creativity is a nightmare to defend, while his defense is world-class. Marner is now the Toronto Maple Leafs best player.
No. 4: William Nylander Has Best Contract in Hockey
We only have one more left of William Nylander at $6.9M, so we better enjoy it while we can, because he’s due for a big pay-raise.
Nylander surpassed the 30-goal mark for the third time in his career this year and could very well finish the year with 40 goals if he scores four more in his last eight games.
He’s now well over a point-per-game and is clearly living up to his potential.
When Nylander originally signed his extension with the Leafs, some fans were irritated.
The negotiation dragged out for months and it ultimately resulted in Nylander’s worst year as a professional, though many people pointed out that his underlying numbers were great and that it was only his unlucky percentages that were bringing him down.
Since then he’s been a dominating offensive force and is getting better every season, so his defenders have been proven correct.
We’ve said it for years, but if Nylander can play a little tougher in the playoffs, he could turn himself from a $6.9M player to a $10M tomorrow.
He plays scared in the corners and seems afraid of contact, so if he can somehow change that this year, it would really help his career.
Next. 3 Leafs Who Need to Play Better. dark
Regardless of whether or not he changes his mindset, his offensive ability makes his contract the best in hockey right now.