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Toronto Maple Leafs: Predicting the 2023-24 Opening Night Roster

By James Tanner

TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 3: Mitchell Marner #16 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates his goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the third period of the game at the Amalie Arena on December 3, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 3: Mitchell Marner #16 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates his goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the third period of the game at the Amalie Arena on December 3, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images) /
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The Toronto Maple Leafs have not had a very good summer, but that in large part was to be expected.

With no way for the Toronto Maple Leafs to give out contracts to Michael Bunting, Noel Acciari, Luke Schenn, Justin Holl, Alex Kerfoot and Ryan O’Reilly their depth was always going to get decimated and they were always going to have a decline going into this season.

I don’t love their summer moves, but I do love that (other than Reaves) everyone they signed is on a one-year deal and can be tossed aside later in the year if they aren’t performing.

Before predicting the opening night roster, I have one other prediction: the team will look slightly different a month from now.  They are over the cap and their blue-line stinks, so that’s obviously going to force some kind of trade.

But for now:

Predicting the Toronto Maple Leafs Opening Night Roster

Matthew Knies – Auston Matthews – Mitch Marner 

I think we will see Knies get the top left wing spot. Bertuzzi can be counted on to do a bit more for himself right now, and we’ve seen how Matthwes and Marner have taken Hyman and Bunting and given the Leafs a star player for a million or less.  That level of value is much needed, so expect Knies to get a shot to make it happen.

Bertuzzi – Tavares – Nylander 

This is a killer second line, and I think it will be extremely successful.

Robertson – Domi – Jarnkrok 

If healthy, Nick Robertson needs to play because he’s got as much upside as anyone outside the ‘core four.’  This line is pretty intriguing, and though it might struggle defensively, it should be excellent offensively in sheltered minutes.

Lafferty – Kampf – Reaves

Reaves and Lafferty will likely be healthy scratches a lot of the time, and I think it’d be much better to play Pontus Holmberg and Bobby McMann, but at least for game one that’s unlikely.  I think it’s important that Kampf be the 4th C, and not ever get on to the third line, but this might be wishful thinking on my part.

Defense Pairing 1

Rielly – Brodie

For now, you gotta go with what works and unless they trade Brodie this will be their top pairing.

McCabe – Liljegren

The Toronto Maple Leafs might be tempted to play John Klingberg here due to how much he’s being paid, and that would make the signing even worse than it already is. Eventually they’ve got to trust Liljegren whose done nothing but put up solid results in his career.

Giordano – Klingberg

One of these guys should have retired, while the other should be in the AHL.  This is a bad pairing, but I guess if Gio gets back to where he was just a year ago it might not be too bad.  This blue-line lacks physicality and upside and high-end skill, and it’s clearly the weakest part of the roster.

Next. Leafs Player Grades. dark

In net obviously Ilya Samsonov will start, which is too bad because honestly Joseph Woll deserves to based on last season.  He was amazing at every level and he was great against Florida in the playoffs.

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