Taking Stock of the Toronto Maple Leafs Most Valuable Assets

The Toronto Maple Leafs have only a few days left to prepare for the post season.

Brendan Shanahan and Kyle Dubas have a little more time to get themselves ready for the offseason. That’s when they will work to position themselves in building the Toronto Maple Leafs for the future.

Some may have just read that short paragraph and taken pause at the idea of Dubas remaining a part of the organization.

At this time, that’s still unknown, but it shouldn’t be.  Dubas has been a valuable asset to the franchise and has more than earned an extension regardless of what happens this season.

Taking Stock of the Toronto Maple Leafs Most Valuable Assets

The Toronto Maple Leafs are fortunate that they have a number of excellent assets. They begin with the star players that remain under contract. Captain John Tavares has two more seasons under contract beyond this one. The same is true for Mitch Marner.

William Nylander and Auston Matthews are both signed through the end of next season.

The other two current Maple Leafs forwards who remain under contract are Calle Jarnkrok and Sam Lafferty. Nick Robertson, who is currently injured is also locked up for at least another year.

On defense, Morgan Rielly, TJ Brodie, Jake McCabe, Timothy Liljegren, Conor Timmins, and Mark Giordano all remain under contract next year. That’s a strong blue line without even considering Jake Muzzin may be back in the mix if he gets healthy next season. Victor Mete should be back as well as he is set to become a restricted free agent.

Matt Murray and Joseph Woll have contracts with the Leafs next year. The team’s best goaltender this season has been Ilya Samsonov. He will need a new deal as he’ll become a restricted free agent. This means that there should be little change between the pipes next year.

Draft Picks

The Toronto Maple Leafs have a handful of picks in the upcoming NHL Entry Draft. That’s a good thing with what’s expected to be a very deep prospect pool. Toronto has the Boston Bruins first round selection and their own fifth and sixth round picks.

In the 2024 draft, the Leafs have a greater chance to find future help. They continue to hold onto their first round, the New York Islanders third round, their fourth round, their own and the Chicago Blackhawks fifth round, their sixth round, and their own along with the Ottawa Senators seventh round picks.

Things are little leaner in 2025. The Leafs only have selections in the third, fifth, sixth, and seventh rounds.

Prospects

The Maple Leafs also have a number of prospects that can make a difference one day in the NHL. The group is led by Matthew Knies. He is already one of the best players for the University of Minnesota, a top team in the NCAA. Knies looks like the real deal and someone who is either ready or close to ready to make the jump to the NHL.

Topi Niemela, the 21-year-old defenseman has also been turning heads. He’s coming off a strong season while on loan with Karpat in Liiga. After setting a record for recording the most points as a U20 defenseman with a total of 10 goals and 22 assists, Niemela continued to add offense this season. In 58 games, he had eight goals and 10 assists.

Fraser Minten has also been someone the Leafs can expect to play for them one day. The 18-year-old was a second round (38th overall) pick in 2022. This year with the Kamloops Blazers, the center has registered 67 points in 57 games. That’s come on 31 goals and 36 assists.

There is a lot to be excited about for fans of the Maple Leafs. From the players they know to those who will join the club in the future, the organization appears to be in excellent shape.

*Note: All statistics are from Elite Prospects and contract information from CapFriendly.