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Toronto Maple Leafs: 3 More Players to Target in Fantasy Hockey

By Mitchell Hartman |
TORONTO, CANADA - MAY 4: Ilya Samsonov #35 of the Toronto Maple Leafs gets set for play to resume against the Florida Panthers during Game Two of the Second Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on May 4, 2023 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Panthers defeated the Maple Leafs 3-2. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA - MAY 4: Ilya Samsonov #35 of the Toronto Maple Leafs gets set for play to resume against the Florida Panthers during Game Two of the Second Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on May 4, 2023 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Panthers defeated the Maple Leafs 3-2. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)

It is now mid-September, and the best time of year for sports fans is just around the corner – the beginning of the new Toronto Maple Leafs / NHL Season.

October is always glorious because all four of the major pro sports leagues will be in play, which of course means the NHL and more Toronto Maple Leafs hockey.

With the NHL season coming up soon that means fantasy drafts are in full swing, with every fan wanting to win their league’s yearly title.

The Toronto Maple Leafs boast some of the NHL’s top stars, but also plenty of underrated players who would be great picks for any fantasy team.

In sequel to my first part, here are 3 more Leafs players to target in fantasy.

Toronto Maple Leafs: 3 More Players to Target in Fantasy

Ilya Samsonov

One of the hardest things to predict in hockey every single year is goaltending. Usually in fantasy hockey (at least in my experience) the winning team also happens to have some strong goaltending. Especially in my league last year, where the winning team had a 3-headed monster of Ullmark, Saros, and Oettinger between the pipes.

Ilya Samsonov is a terrific choice for almost any fantasy team. He’s guaranteed to play a lot and get some solid stats, as well as being on the Leafs will earn him plenty of wins. He had a strong season last year and there’s no reason to belief he’ll fall off that much.

If you do select Samsonov, however, he should be your second goalie taken. If possible, take a stronger netminder earlier in your draft and pick up Samsonov later on.

Tyler Bertuzzi

Almost every Leaf fan is excited to see Bertuzzi in the blue and white. A bit of a weaker season last year (followed by a strong playoffs, however) may cause many to overlook Bertuzzi for this season. On top of this, on a team loaded with star forwards like the Toronto Maple Leafs, there’s a chance Bertuzzi gets overlooked even more.

If you ask me, I think there’s a strong chance for Bertuzzi to get 35+ goals and 70+ points this year. This Leafs team (no disrespect to the Bruins) will be the most offensively talented team he’s ever played for, and you should expect him to have a career season in 2023-24.

Matthew Knies

Matthew Knies could end up winning the Calder this year. Now that will be no easy task, especially against the likes of Connor Bedard, Logan Cooley, and others.

Even if he doesn’t win the Calder, Knies is going to have a great first full-season with the Leafs. He worked himself into the roster last year near the end of the season and made an immediate impact, including being one of, if not the Leafs most consistent forward in the playoffs.

I am a huge fan of Knies’ game and he will make a great piece of any fantasy team. Now, if you’re going to take him, be patient. Don’t take Knies if there are more “sure things” available.

If he is available towards the latter part of your draft, however, you know what to do.

Next. 3 Things the Leafs Will Do In October. dark

The Leafs will have a great team this upcoming season and have plenty of great options for your fantasy team.

Let’s see how they do on the ice.

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