Which Toronto Maple Leafs players have impressed most, so far?
The Toronto Maple Leafs that have taken the ice for the 2024-25 season are quite different than the team that hit the ice last season. There is a whole new coaching staff featuring 2019 Stanley Cup champion Craig Berube as head coach, with former New York Islanders head coach, Lane Lambert as an associate coach. The new staff also has assistant coach Marc Savard behind the bench.
In terms of on-ice personnel, the Toronto Maple Leafs made a massive addition to the club’s blueline by adding Chris Tanev, as well as several other minor ones.
The Leafs swapped out Ilya Samsonov for Anthony Stolarz to possibly form a tandem with Joseph Woll. The Leafs let go of Martin Jones as well, but they stuck with the surprisingly healthy Matt Murray as their number-three.
Up front, there were minimal changes aside from losing Tyler Bertuzzi, and adding a couple fourth liners to the team.
Stanley cup champion Steven Lorentz, and Max Pacioretty, both hopeful to bring veteran presence and some depth scoring ability. Many people felt that the team would be better served by adding a more prominent forward but so far, things seem to be going well with the two of them.
Looking at the moves in totality, there was a clear emphasis on size, veteran presence, and Championship pedigree. In fact, Treliving added three 2024 Stanley cup winners with the additions of Lorentz, Ekman-Larsson, and Stolarz.
With all that said, let's look at the players who have performed the best on the team so far.
Which Toronto Maple Leafs players have impressed most, so far?
Bobby McMann
McMann broke out last season, scoring 15 goals and 24 points in 56 games, this came after years of being considered a 'dark horse' type candidate to breakthrough to the NHL. His impressive play earned him a two-year contract extension with a $1.35 million AAV. Starting the season as a healthy scratch was surprising but as a player on the fringes of the roster and with a new coach in town, not entirely shocking. Despite this, he has seemed to show no signs of going back.
Since returning to the lineup, McMann has been on fire scoring three goals in four games playing mostly on the second or third line. Although this level of performance is likely just some shooting luck, since becoming a mainstay last season McMann has scored 18 goals in 60 games which puts him at a near 25-goal pace over an entire season. Not bad for an undrafted free agent brought up on a minor league contract.
Anthony Stolarz
In Joseph Woll’s absence to start the year, Stolarz has been able to step up quite well. Even in Saturday’s 4-1 loss to the New York Rangers, Stolarz stopped 25 of 27 shots he faced. Through four games this season he has a 2-2-0 record and a .937 SV%. He is currently ninth in the league in Goals Saved Above Expected (GSAx) according to moneypuck.com.
Like McMann, this level of performance is probably a little too high to expect to be maintained, as his career high in save percentage came last season with the Florida Panthers where he posted a .925 SV% through 27 games. However, with his track record, he could still prove to be the best acquisition from the off-season if he can maintain his save percentage above a .915% down the stretch. Especially if Woll’s injury troubles continue to be an issue moving forward.
Oliver Ekman-Larsson
Admittedly, I was not sold on signing OEL, especially at 33 years of age and with a four-year contract and a $3.5 million AAV. Despite this, he has started his Leafs career with four points (all assists) in five games. He has also taken time on the top power-play unit which is no small accomplishment to usurp Morgan Rielly.
It is still early but if he can continue to be a strong puckmover down the stretch, he could be a vital piece to the blueline. Puckmoving has been a big issue for the Maple Leafs’ backend, especially in the postseason.
Max Domi
Five points in five games is about as good as you can expect from a middle-six forward, especially when they’re making only $3.75 million per season. It is unclear where Domi fits into the lineup going forward as he has been featured on the second line wing, second line center, and third line center.
Regardless, his versatility is a big part of his value and it is something that should make the lives of the coaching staff easier. His production has also been quite consistent with points in three of his five games. If he can maintain his nearly 50-point pace from last season, combined with his ability to get under opponent’s skin, his deal will look great. (All Stats via hockey-reference.com and current as of yesterday, all contract information via puckpedia.com).
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The Leafs are off to a great 4-2 start, and there are quite a few bright spots. It is encouraging that many of the players featuring in this early are not from the core members. Hopefully as the season wears on, more players can step up and this could prove to be the deepest Leafs team in a long time.