How Does the Current Toronto Maple Leafs Roster Compare to Last Season?
The Leafs significantly changed their defense and goaltending during NHL Free Agency. Has their lineup improved from the one that finished last season?
The Toronto Maple Leafs were part of a record-setting billion-dollar day during NHL Free Agency. General Manager Brad Treliving's goal was to find help for the blue line.
He signed Chris Tanev, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and Jani Hakanpaa to address the team's needs on defense. Goaltender Anthony Stolarz, formerly of the Florida Panthers, also signed on with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Notable names from last year's roster will no longer wear blue and white after finding new homes elsewhere. Tyler Bertuzzi, Ilya Samsonov, T.J. Brodie, Joel Edmundson, Ilya Lyubushkin, and Noah Gregor will suit up in different uniforms next season.
With a major date on the NHL's offseason calendar now complete, it is a good time to assess the Toronto Maple Leafs projected lineup for next season and compare it to the one that finished last year.
The Core Forwards Remain Unchanged
Despite the cries of many for management to break up the core of the Leafs forwards, the team's hierarchy correctly ignored the pleas. The Maple Leafs will again hitch their wagon behind stars Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, and John Tavares.
Max Domi also returns to the fold after he inked a four-year extension with the team. Bertuzzi's exit plus Craig Berube's hiring opens up an internal competition for the Leafs young veterans and top prospects.
In his second full season, Matthew Knies will have more opportunity to continue his ascension as a dominant power forward. A spot is likely available for Fraser Minten or Easton Cowan if they can repeat their strong performances from last year's training camp and their seasons in the CHL.
Nick Robertson also needs to recognize the opportunity in front of him. He shouldrescind his trade request and grab hold of the chance for an increased role that he can earn by playing well.
The bottom six on the Leafs depth chart at forward leaves much to be desired. It must be addressed between now and next year's trade deadline.
The loss of Bertuzzi hurts, but paying him what he signed for in Chicago, would have been foolish considering the Maple Leafs other needs. Instead of allotting money to Bertuzzi, it was used to find help for the blue line, which was the right choice.
Counting on the development of their youngsters and prospects was the correct call by Leafs management. This year's edition of the team's forwards is on par with the group that finished last year, but with a much higher ceiling.
The Toronto Maple Leafs Defense is Now More Balanced
Trading for Tanev's rights and securing him to a long-term deal was the biggest free agent move by the Leafs. The right-handed defenseman brings a shot-blocking veteran presence and an underrated puck-moving ability to the Leafs blue line.
Oliver Ekman-Larsson is a left-handed shot but has experience playing both sides. He brings length to the Maple Leafs defense along with offense. Toronto's defensemen scored less than thirty goals last season, ranking near the bottom of the league and less than half of the total of the league-leading Colorado Avalanche.
The Leafs hope that Ekman-Larsson can bring added offense to the blue line, the role expected of last year's disaster signing of John Klingberg.
The term for Tanev and Ekman-Larsson (six years and four years) is excessive, but such risks are required when signing free agents.
A look at the contracts signed by Lyubushkin, Edmundson, and Brodie shows that the Leafs did well by comparison. Each of the former Maple Leafs signed multi-year deals with at least a $3 million AAV.
The term for the Leafs new defensemen is longer, but the AAV is only slightly higher than the former trio. Edmundson and Lyubushkin are limited in their puck-handling and offensive ability. Brodie's years in Toronto were a success and helped stabilize the Maple Leafs blue line, but last season he greatly regressed and it was time to move on.
Heading into next season the Leafs depth chart on defense now consists of Morgan Rielly, Tanev, Jake McCabe, Ekman-Larsson, Timothy Liljegren, and Simon Benoit. Further down the list are Conor Timmins, Phillipe Myers, and Hakanpaa.
Tanev and Ekman-Larsson are more well-rounded than Lyubushkin and Edmundson. Hakanpaa is a low-risk gamble that could be a huge help to the team's penalty-killing if he regains his health.
The Leafs now have a more balanced blue line compared to last season's group. There is offense (Rielly, Liljegren and Ekman-Larsson) along with physical play and toughness (Tanev, McCabe, Benoit).
The current edition of the Maple Leafs defense is much better than last year. How long Tanev and Ekman-Larsson can remain viable defenders and stay healthy will determine how great the improvement is.
Goaltending is the Leafs Greatest X-Factor
The Leafs rolled the dice with their goaltending. Their top two netminders on the depth chart lack experience. The talented, but injury-prone, Joseph Woll signed an extension with the team and will be given every opportunity to win the starter's job.
Stolarz was signed away from the Panthers to provide insurance behind Woll. The injury-riddled Matt Murray was resigned to a 1-year, minimum deal to fill the third-string role.
Woll's brilliance has been flashed at various moments in his limited NHL career (36 games). Stolarz has been around a while but only played in 108 career games with a single-season high of 28.
Ilya Samsonov and Martin Jones have departed. Samsonov was unreliable and had a penchant for giving up soft goals. His confidence also suffered at times.
The Maple Leafs chose to avoid acquiring a veteran on the trade market. Instead, they brought back their best goalie from last season (Woll), and Stolarz. After surgery, Murray can slowly build himself back up and provide starts if needed.
Health will also be a big issue with the Leafs goaltenders. Woll appears capable of reaching the heights of previous Toronto goalie greats, but only if he can stay on the ice.
Like the defenders, the current group of Toronto netminders can achieve more than the prior trio of Samsonov, Woll, and Jones.
Also, Dennis Hildeby of the Toronto Marlies has a full season of minor league experience. His continued acclimatization to the AHL can continue, but he will be more prepared if needed for an occasional start.
The Maple Leafs current goalies have a blend of talent, experience, and depth. Health permitting, they have the potential to be much better than last season.
Overall Leafs Outlook
The Leafs are still loaded up front, especially their top two lines. Their defense, last year's biggest weakness, has improved. A big factor in next season's success will be the adjustment of Tanev and Ekman-Larsson into the lineup.
Can Tanev fit seamlessly alongside Rielly? Is Ekman-Larsson capable of being a reliable top-four defenseman?
Matthews, Marner, Nylander, and Tavares will ultimately determine how far this team goes, but the potential of Knies, Robertson, Minten, and Cowan is intriguing. If the former two can continue to ascend and one of the latter shows they can handle regular NHL duty, the Leafs can join the ranks of the elite.
The Maple Leafs have more potential at forward as their prospects and young veterans mature. Their defense is improved and has more balance. The biggest x-factor to the Toronto Maple Leafs success will be Woll.
manual
The Toronto Maple Leafs present-day roster is better than the one that finished last season. Internal improvement and health are necessary for the Leafs to join the top teams of the NHL, but the potential is there.