3 Key Takeaways After Toronto Maple Leafs First 3 Games

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We’re three games into the Toronto Maple Leafs season and it’s gone exactly how we all expected.

On the bright side, the best player in Toronto Maple Leafs history, Auston Matthews, is in sensational form, consistently delivering top-notch performances.

Matthews’ impressive scoring abilities have solidified his status as one of the league’s premier players, making him a beacon of hope for the Leafs faithful.

Who knows how many goals Matthews can score after scoring six in the first two games. Keep in mind that two years ago he scored 50 goals in 50 games, but it didn’t get the publicity it deserved because it didn’t happen from the first game of the season.

Auston aside, the team’s struggles on the defensive end have been a recurring issue.

Despite their offensive firepower, the Leafs have found it challenging to keep opponents at bay, often leading to high-scoring affairs. While Matthews and the offense dazzle, the defensive unit has also been a cause for concern.

Specifically the pairing of Jake McCabe and John Klingberg, whom the coach broke up in the third period of the last game after seeing eight straight atrocious periods from the combo.

Equally concerning is the goaltending situation in Toronto, thus far. Despite seeming secure with Ilya Samsonov and Joseph Woll, both have struggled and we really don’t know who will end up as the team’s no. 1 goalie by year’s end. This instability between the pipes has hindered their consistency and could cause concern as they try to win a Stanley Cup.

Let’s dig in deeper on the team thus far and look at three takeaways from the team’s first three games.

TORONTO, CANADA – OCTOBER 11: Max Domi #11 of the Toronto Maple Leafs . (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /

3 Key Takeaways After Toronto Maple Leafs First 3 Games

No. 1: Max Domi Signing May Be a Mistake

You can’t say we didn’t warn you!

If Max Domi’s last name wasn’t what it was, or if he wasn’t a former No. 12 overall draft pick, would he be making $3M this year?

Doubtful.

Like, if his name was John Smith and he was drafted in the third round, would we really be giving this type of player this much attention?

I know he has two 20-goal season’s in his career, but Domi’s $3M contract looks like an overpayment after three games because he hasn’t done anything.

And it’s not just three games – for most of his career, Max Domi has barely been worth more than a replacement player. That means you could call up any random AHL player and get the same thing for the league minimum that Domi gives you for his salary.

When I think of Domi, I thought of a gritty, physical player with high offensive upside on the power-play, yet we haven’t seen that, yet. Instead, we’ve seen a player who hasn’t fit in beside super-skilled players like John Tavares and William Nylander and was demoted to the third line.

Calle Jarnkrok has replaced him, and Domi is now slotted playing alongside Matthew Knies and Fraser Minten. That could end up being a nice third-line if Domi gets his act together, but I’d almost rather see a promotion from Nick Robertson and see a third-line filled with young players and high-end skill.

Hopefully he can figure out it, but returning home could’ve been a mistake.

Oct 14, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews (34) Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 2: Auston Matthews Is Unstoppable

With six goals in three games, Matthews has been virtually unstoppable thus far.

Even though he didn’t score against the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 3, he had numerous chances and looks primed for a huge season.

In fact, against the Blackhawks, after scoring six goals in his first two games, he had eight shots and 18 shot-attempts – which is a crazy amount for one player in one game.

I wrote that Matthews has a chance to score 80 goals this year, which I know is insane, but if anyone can do it, it’s him. He seems like the type of player that isn’t happy with six goals in three games and probably thinks he should have more.

It’s like the golfer who shoots a five-under-par 67, but after the round goes “I left a few out there, probably should have shot 64 today.”

Even though he’s playing at a high-rate, I don’t think he’ll be satisfied until he not only wins the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy again, but is also in contention for the Hart Trophy.

Individual awards don’t mean anything when it comes to winning a Stanley Cup, but Matthews looks more mature and ready to put the team on his back this season.

TORONTO, CANADA – OCTOBER 16: Connor Bedard #98 of the Chicago Blackhawks sneeks behind Jake McCabe #22 of the Toronto Maple Leafs (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /

No. 3: Defense is Huge Issue

We knew this would be a huge issue before the season started and things are going as planned. In three games, the team has allowed 13 goals.

The Toronto Maple Leafs blue-line was always going to be problematic since they have no elite players and barely any depth. (Connor Timmins and Simon Benoit do not constitute “depth” in any way, shape or form for a contending team).

They’ve been able to outscore their issues, but it’s pretty easy to see that John Klingberg is an issue.

Klingberg is good on the power-play, but he is often hemmed in his own zone 5v5. He can’t defend to save his life, and the team struggles whenever he plays.

Not only has Klingberg been terrible, but so has Jake McCabe, as the two players have had a xGF percentage under 40 percent, despite playing on the second-pairing. Toronto’s goaltending hasn’t helped much, but overall these two defenseman have been awful.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are a very good hockey team but they clearly need defensive-help. Matthews could end up scoring 80 goals this year and it won’t be enough until they tighten things up.

Next. The Leafs Top 10 Prospects. dark

I’m not going to kick and scream until the NHL Trade Deadline passes, but let’s hope that Brad Treliving can work his magic and trade for a top-pairing defenseman by year’s end, or this team won’t make it past the First Round.

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