Tyler Bertuzzi Grade: C+
I had an extremely tough time assigning Bertuzzi a grade. I broke this down in detail about a month ago, but Bertuzzi went from being the most unlucky player in the NHL throughout the first half of the season to the luckiest in the league for the second half of the season.
From February 24th to the end of the regular season, Bertuzzi was tied for third in five-on-five goals in the NHL, but for the year, he ranked 82nd in five-on-five goals and 96th in five-on-five points.
Despite being healthy for a full season for the first time in a long time and having a late-season hot streak, I just could not justify giving Bertuzzi a higher grade considering Domi was much more productive offensively throughout the entire season for a cheaper price.
Bobby McMann Grade: A+
McMann was phenonmenal is his rookie season with the Toronto Maple Leafs, he tallied 15 goals and 24 points after playing his first game of the year on November 11th. Following his season debut, McMann made it extremely tough to not have him in the lineup.
McMann ranked third on the Maple Leafs in goals for per 60, fourth in expected goals per 60 and sixth in points per 60 minutes at five-on-five.
McMann was also very good defensively this season, turning the puck over more than he gave away. He also ranked among the top five Leafs in on-ice goals against per 60 minutes at five-on-five. Much like Robertson, McMann took advantage of every opportunity given to him this season, which is the main reason I have given him such a high grade.
Matthew Knies Grade: B
Knies's offensive production is somewhat hard to assess. For most of the first half of the season, he played alongside Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, but in the latter half of the season, he spent most of his time buried in the Leafs bottom six forwards.
But with Knies, the offensive production is not what I want to highlight here. Knies is turning into a true power forward. He ranked among the top five percent of forwards in forecheck involvement this season while taking the puck away more than he gave it away.
Knies was also one of the most physical forwards on this Leafs team. If he can continue to grow his offensive game, he will be very good for the Maple Leafs for years to come. Given this was his rookie season, I am very optimistic for Knies's future.
He was great in the playoffs.