The Toronto Maple Leafs have gotten off to a solid start one week into their 2024-25 NHL season. Despite dropping a heartbreak 1-0 to the Montreal Canadiens in the season opener, they actually played quite well looked strong both offensively and defensively in the process. In fact, they peppered Canadiens goalie Sam Montembeault relentlessly with 48 shots, so with a little more luck, they could have secured a victory instead.
Nevertheless, the Toronto Maple Leafs have carried that momentum into the following two games. Playing under the newfound structure of head coach Craig Berube, they displayed great poise in their convincing wins over the New Jersey Devils and Pittsburgh Penguins.
More importantly, the Maple Leafs haven’t been relying just on their stars for their early success, as they have received some much-needed secondary scoring along with some strong play from their bottom lines. Even the newcomers in Steven Lorentz and Max Pacioretty have already gotten on the scoreboard with their first goals as a Leaf.
It may still be early in the season, but the Maple Leafs have certainly looked good and confident under the guidance of Berube, especially from a defensive standpoint. But despite the valuable contributions from practically most of the players, there are still some that may find themselves not surviving the roster by the end of October.
As a result, we will take a look at three Maple Leafs players that could be gone by the time the turn of the month takes place.
3 Toronto Maple Leafs players that might be gone by the end of the month
Ryan Reaves
When the Maple Leafs first went out to get Ryan Reaves through free agency during the 2023 offseason, they truly believed that he could add some valuable toughness and veteran experience to the club going forward. With his intimidating presence, it should allow the Leafs star players to have a bit more freedom when roaming the ice, thus improving the team’s chances of winning and long-term success.
However, at the current age of 37, Reaves has had some trouble keeping up to the fast-paced action that the game has evolved into in recent years. In effect, it has made him a defensive liability whenever he set his foot on the ice. Last season, opponents have outscored the Leafs 22-10 at 5-on-5 situations with Reaves active on the ice. .
His spot in the lineup was already suspect entering the 2024-25 season. Now with the rise of Lorentz and Pacioretty making key contributions after joining the Leafs this year, along with the dire hunger of young elite talent in Bobby McMann and Nick Robertson in trying to establish themselves, added to the eventual return of Connor Dewar and Calle Jarnkrok, Reaves’ time in the lineup and essentially his tenure with the Leafs could be coming to an end pretty soon.