Toronto Maple Leafs: 3 Things to Expect Early in 2023-24
Toronto Maple Leafs: Contributions from Unlikely Sources
As players started to trickle into the Toronto Maple Leafs training facility in Etobicoke, it was reported that some of them had spent their summer going through a physical transformation.
One number popped out: Leafs defenseman Connor Timmins has put on a staggering 21 pounds of muscle.
Considering that Rielly, free agent signee John Klingberg, Jake McCabe, T.J. Brodie and the Leafs most underrated player, Timothy Liljegren, should be regulars, Timmins has a solid chance of supplanting Mark Giordano as the sixth defenseman.
Giordano had to step-up last season and did so admirably, but the wear was obvious in the playoffs, especially in the second round against the Florida Panthers.
He played more games than his age dictates. Timmins is 14 years younger than Giordano and at the very least should be given some more run early in the season to show head coach Sheldon Keefe what he can handle.
It will also give Giordano a breather and keep him fresh for later in 2024.
Timmins is at the perfect point in his career to elevate into a more complete skater. Timmins will use that added strength to provide the Toronto Maple Leafs with a hard-nosed D-man, who can clear the net front and take power forwards on without giving up any ice to them.
This is Timmins’ year to become a force.
It’s highly likely that forward Sam Lafferty spotted Timmins in the gym. Lafferty himself put on 11 pounds. He has elite speed and his game is predicated on banging below the red-line when forechecking. That added girth to his frame will make Lafferty way more effective and more difficult to play against. Lafferty will make significant contributions.
Play with an Edge
The notable additions to the Leafs – Tyler Bertuzzi, Max Domi, Ryan Reaves – will want to illustrate to Keefe and team management why they were brought in.
The Leafs may want to play with more of an edge, but with Holl and Schenn not being replaced by anyone physical on the blue-line, that might be a problem.
Additionally, for whatever levels of grit Reaves, Domi and Bertuzzi can bring, they are going to have to replace Bunting, O’Reilly, Acciari and Aston-Reese, so only time will tell if the Leafs are harder or easier to play against this year.
Specifically, watch for Reaves to go out of his way to make a statement.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have supposedly been pushed around for years and their toughness has been questioned. This is more of a narrative than anything resembling the truth, however: you simply do not win 65% of the points available to you, while giving your coach the all-time highest winning percentage in history, over four years, if you’re being pushed around.
Reaves will find a way to instigate a handful of fights.
He is going to want to send a message to the rest of the league and to justify the contract Treliving gave him, which is likely impossible anyways.
This all relates to the Leafs identity. Keefe has talked about building a team persona. Domi will take a lot of pride in wearing his father’s jersey and will bring passion every night.
As Keefe figures out which line combinations work best together, there is no doubt that the Leafs will go about their business with a bit of a punch.
Keefe Searches for Optimal Line Combinations
One of the major contrasts between Keefe and his predecessor, Mike Babcock, is the willingness to shake things up.
Well, that and Keefe’s unwillingness to stupidly commandeer his player;s phones. The only celly Keefe wants to see is after a goal is scored.
Keefe consistently juggles his lines for a variety of reasons.
Now that he has some new jersey names to look at from behind the bench, look for Keefe to search for the perfect blend of chemistry. Nothing will be off limits.
Remember that teams rarely play pre-season games with their full squads, so Keefe won’t have much opportunity to mix and match until the real stuff begins.
The same goes for the defense pairings. Klingberg is an offensive-minded guy, who is trying to repair some deficiencies, so putting him back there with the right partner will be key.
With training camp only just begginning, the Leafs are already showing a willingness to experiment by putting William Nylander at centre on the third line. Look for Keefe to keep experimenting until he finds lines that work.
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Regardless of how it unfolds, there is one certainty that has everyone excited: Toronto Maple Leafs hockey is back.