As the month of October comes to an end, we have witnessed both the hot and cold versions of the Toronto Maple Leafs in the process. They began the year piping hot, as they looked like world beaters with their offense, defense, and goaltending firing on all cylinders.
Just when things were sailing along, the Toronto Maple Leafs ultimately ran into a rut that saw their dominating play drop off, resulting in some demoralizing losses during the past week. They appeared to have right the ship once again to start the final week of October when they jumped out to a commanding 4-0 lead on the unbeaten Winnipeg Jets on Monday. However, their sluggish play would rear its ugly head once again as the game progresses as they barely hung on for the 6-4 win in the end.
The worrisome hot and cold play wasn’t just a trend that was materializing for the team as a whole, but also with many of the individual players as well. But despite their ups and downs, which Maple Leafs players have actually gotten off to a hot start this season, and which ones will need to start stepping up their game soon?
We will take a look at “Who’s hot” and “Who’s not” for the Leafs over the first month of the 2024-25 NHL season.
Toronto Maple Leafs October Roundup: Who’s hot and who’s not?
Hot: Oliver Ekman-Larsson
Signed by the Leafs this offseason to help bring some championship and veteran experience to their back end, Oliver Ekman-Larsson has turned some heads with his play thus far with his new club.
He was expected to be a third pairing guy after struggling in recent years prior to revitalizing his career somewhat by prospering in sheltered minutes with the Florida Panthers last season. To date, Ekman-Larsson appeared to have regained some of his former glory under the new Leafs system.
Not only is he leading all Maple Leafs defenseman offensively in assists (5) and points (6), he has also seen time as the quarterback for their top power play unit. Unfortunately, since the team's first few games he has seemed to fall back to earth. Full marks for the hot start, however.