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3 Toronto Maple Leafs Destined for a Breakout Season in 2023-24

By Edward Eng |
Feb 18, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Timothy Liljegren (37) shoots the puck against the Montreal Canadiens in the third period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 18, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Timothy Liljegren (37) shoots the puck against the Montreal Canadiens in the third period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
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For the past few years, despite the usual “core four” anchoring the Toronto Maple Leafs offence, the team usually looks for some breakout players that can help provide some secondary scoring, along with making a difference to lead the team to success.

Two years ago, it was Michael Bunting and Ilya Mikheyev that provided the Toronto Maple Leafs with the extra boost in offence.

Primarily playing alongside the dynamic duo of Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, Bunting would end up with 23 goals, 40 assists for 63 points, and even challenged for the Calder Trophy at the end of the year.

In the case of Mikheyev, he also shined for the Leafs, potting a career-high 20 goals and becoming a key member of the team’s penalty kill.

Just this past season, Calle Jarnkrok had his best year of his career, despite playing mainly on the third line for the Leafs.

He set his career-high in goals with 20 and points with 39 in 73 games played, and began to display his lethal shot more often that most people never really noticed before.

Three most likely candidates to have a breakout season for the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2023-24

So which players will have the best chance to produce a breakout season for the Leafs this year? Here, we take a closer look at three possible candidates and why they may be destined for a career year in 2023-24.

Mar 9, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins left wing Tyler Bertuzzi (59) skates against the Edmonton Oilers during the third period at the TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 9, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins left wing Tyler Bertuzzi (59) skates against the Edmonton Oilers during the third period at the TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports /

Tyler Bertuzzi

Tyler Bertuzzi was signed to a one-year, $5.5 million contract during the offseason by the Toronto Maple Leafs. After playing mainly for the Detroit Red Wings for the bulk of his career in the past seven seasons, Bertuzzi looks to start a new chapter with the boys in blue for the 2023-24 season.

He did have one impressive season with the Red Wings in which he produced 30 goals and 62 points back in 2021-22.

But other than that, he hasn’t really broken out in a big way so far in his NHL career.

Don’t look now, but Bertuzzi could be in for a big year with the Leafs. No offence to Dylan Larkin and the Red Wings, but Bertuzzi will now have the opportunity to play with some of the best elite players in the game.

Being a natural left winger, he will most likely be pencilled in either the top line or second line on the team. As a result, he will be flanked by the likes of Matthews, Marner, John Tavares or William Nylander.

Many people caught a glimpse of his offensive potential when he flourished after being put together on a line with David Pastrnak of the Boston Bruins after the trade deadline last year.

So there’s no doubt the core four will be able to elevate his game to another level, as Bertuzzi should be in for a huge breakout season with the Leafs.

Apr 17, 2023; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Stars center Max Domi (18)  Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 17, 2023; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Stars center Max Domi (18)  Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Max Domi

Being a former first round pick from the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, Max Domi has never appeared to reach his full potential, despite playing in over eight seasons in the league already.

Other than his one year back in 2018-19 with the Montreal Canadiens in which he put up 28 goals and 72 points, Domi hasn’t really been a huge difference maker for the teams that he has played with.

Then again, he has only played with the Arizona Coyotes, the Canadiens, the Columbus Blue Jackets, the defensively-focused Carolina Hurricanes, and the recently struggling Chicago Blackhawks.

It was not until he had his chance with the Dallas Stars last year after the trade deadline that he finally had the chance to show off his offensive potential, becoming a key impact player during their playoff run.  In the playoffs Domi had 13 points in 19 games, which is great. However, Dallas also lost his minutes 5v5 both in Expected and Actual Results. 

But he can now put all those past experiences behind him as he will now get to play with one of the best offensive teams in the league. Despite being pegged to begin the season on the third line, being a left-handed shot, he has the potential of being moved up to left wing on the top two lines whenever needed.

In addition, even if he remains on the third line, his elite playmaking abilities will allow him to prosper with the likes of Jarnkrok and potentially either Nick Robertson or Matthew Knies, as they all have a lethal scoring touch.

Mixed in with some added motivation coming from his dad Tie in being also the heart-and-soul with the Leafs team back then, look for Domi to have one of his best seasons of his career this year.

Apr 11, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Timothy Liljegren (37) against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the first period at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 11, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Timothy Liljegren (37) against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the first period at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Timothy Liljegren

Finally, we have former first round draft pick from the 2017 NHL Entry Draft Timothy Liljegren. Once compared to fellow countryman and superstar Erik Karlsson with regards to his skills and abilities, Liljegren has yet to have his breakout season with the Leafs so far, until probably now.

In the years past, he usually found himself further down on the defensive depth chart on the Toronto Maple Leafs roster. This was due to the presence of many veterans on the roster, in addition to Rasmus Sandin, who had jumped ahead of him in recent years.

However, now with Sandin gone, Jake Muzzin on LTIR and probably heading towards retirement, and the slowing down of both Mark Giordano and TJ Brodie, the opportunity for Liljegren to move to the next level has finally arrived.

After being a good understudy of Giordano for the past couple of years, Liljegren has grown a lot in both his offensive and defensive game. Being able to carry a positive CF% with whoever he plays with prior to last season is starting to become one of his strengths, along with becoming stronger on the puck when carrying possession.

He may begin the season on the third pairing, but with Giordano most likely getting more rest this year, look for Liljegren to potentially get top-pairing minutes alongside Morgan Rielly. In doing so, he will have all the opportunity to produce a career year for 2023-24.

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Overall, regardless of how many players may have breakout years this season for the team, the Toonto Maple Leafs should once again be a competitive team for 2023-24, as they look to avenge last season’s second round loss in the playoffs by hopefully making it further this time around.

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