Sportsnet Maple Leafs Power Ranking: 6th
With Christmas just two weeks away, this week's Sportsnet power rankings theme was "What should be on each team's Christmas wish list? " Regarding the Maple Leafs, writer Ryan Dixon wrote, "Santa, please bring some kind of promise; this goaltending duo of Joseph Woll and Anthony Stolarz is the real deal".
The Leafs goaltending tandem has been the talk of the town since opening night of the season and has given fans hope that they have goalies that can compete with anyone else in the league that they will match up with in the playoffs.
But what "promise" could Santa bring the Leafs to put this team over the edge? Well, the Maple Leafs are desperate for some depth scoring.
The Core Four of Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander and John Tavares have combined to score 57.6% of the Leafs goals this season. Then when you add in Matthew Knies and Max Pacioretty who have both missed time this season, the Leafs top six forwards have combined to score 74.11% of the teams goals.
With guys like Nicholas Robertson and Max Domi continuing to struggle offensively, the Maple Leafs could use a guy like Nazem Kadri, who has three straight 50+ point seasons and surpassed the 70-point plateau in two of those three years.
Kadri is on pace for another 50-point season with the Calgary Flames. I don't want to say it has to be Kadri, but the Maple Leafs need a player like this on their third line to help take some of the offensive load off the core four.