Toronto Maple Leafs Could Win Multiple NHL Awards in 2023-24
Toronto Maple Leafs Could Win Multiple NHL Awards in 2023-24
No. 1: Auston Matthews: Hart Trophy, Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy & Lady Byng Award
As previously mentioned, Matthews’ shelves at home are already stocked with trophies, but there’s no reason to believe more can’t be added this season.
Whenever Matthews steps on the ice, he has a chance to score and change the outcome of the game.
Matthews is the best goal-scorer of the past decade and should continue to dominate the league. He is essentially matching Prime Ovechkin goal for goal (i.e this far into their careers, Matthews has roughly the same amount of goals as Ovechkin had after playing the same amount of games).
It’s always tough to follow up a Hart Trophy season, but Matthews’ down-year still consisted of 40 goals and 85 points, on a damaged wrist. I’d expect Matthews to score a minimum of 50 goals this year and be a force, especially if he’s playing alongside Mitch Marner every night.
The Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy is a possibility for Matthews every year and if he wins that, then he’ll have to be considered for the Hart Trophy, once again.
Matthews is also one of the most disciplined players in the NHL, so if he has another season of huge point production with 10 or less PIM’s, he’d definitely be considered for the Lady Byng.
He’s won multiple awards in a season before, so don’t be shocked if it happens again.
No. 2: Sheldon Keefe: Jack Adams Award
If I were to bet, I’d say that Keefe has a better chance at getting fired than winning the Jack Adams Trophy, as the league’s best coach, but you never know.
Not to knock Keefe, but he’s in the classic “new GM keeps old coach in case things go sideways” situation. This usually means he’s gone the first time the team loses four games in a row, but who knows?
Over his tenure, Keefe has continued to do a great job, guiding this team to top regular season records, but unfortunately, they’ve yet to get it done in the playoffs.
You can’t put the blame on him for all of the losses, but this could be the last straw for him, especially with a new GM.
The Leafs have a great roster and have the opportunity to be a very successful regular season team once again and compete for a President’s Trophy.
If they are a top-three team in the NHL, Keefe’s name should be considered as league’s best coach.
This award typically goes to a coach of a team who missed the playoffs the year before, but it can also go to the coach of the best team.
This is definitely more of a long-shot, but if Toronto is one of the best regular season team’s again, expect Keefe’s name to be in the running.
No. 3: Mitch Marner: Frank J. Selke Trophy
The Frank J. Selke Trophy goes to the top defensive forward and the player who typically wins this award is Patrice Bergeron.
However, now that Bergeron has retired, Marner could slide in there and win. It’s entirely possible that he becomes “the new Bergeron.”
Speaking of Marner, he doesn’t get enough credit for the job he does defensively.
He’s not only one of the most dynamic and skillful players in the NHL, but he plays on the Toronto Maple Leafs top penalty-kill unit and is incredibly effective.
More than that though, his 5v5 defense is just as good, and likely even more important than his penalty-killing prowess.
His quick hands and ability to break up a pass not only stops the opponent from scoring, but it can lead to odd-man rushes the other way and multiple scoring chances.
Even when the Leafs are a man-down, they have an opportunity to score, all thanks to Marner.
Marner was nominated for this award last year and finished third in voting, so there’s no reason to believe he won’t be considered again.
The 26-year-old is only getting better and will continue to be on the Leafs PK1 unit, so if he can replicated his 2022-23 season, he should have a strong chance at winning the Selke Trophy this year.
No. 4: Matthew Knies: Calder Trophy
It’ll be hard to knock off Connor Bedard, as he’s clearly the front-runner for the 2023-24 Calder Trophy Award, but Knies is an unbelievable talent and will be put in a great situation that most rookies won’t have.
When you’re a top NHL draft pick, you’re usually placed on a terrible roster, which is in a rebuilding phase.
Knies, on the other hand, will have the opportunity to play on a Stanley Cup contending team with guys like Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, John Tavares and Tyler Bertuzzi every night.
In seven playoff games last year, Knies was very effective scoring one goal, while adding three assists and will only get better this year.
At 6-foot-3, 210 pounds, Knies wasn’t intimidated by the opposition and could hold his own, which is one reason why I think he’s going to have a great 2023-24 season.
Bedard is a very small player, who will be awesome, but it could take a few months before he dominates, which may allow Knies to swoop in.
Knies already has a few NHL games under his belt, so he shouldn’t be nervous for the opportunity, but instead should seize the moment, especially based on who he’ll be playing alongside.
dark. Next. Leafs Rebuilding Soon?
It’ll be hard to win the award, but I think he’ll be nominated at the end of the season and I’d be shocked if his stat-line didn’t look something like this: 25 goals and 58 points.