The Toronto Maple Leafs have been fascinating to observe this offseason and actually, the enjoyable has simply begun. Brad Treliving has been introduced in to exchange Kyle Dubas because it’s been a summer season of change off the ice for the group. Anticipate to see a lot of the identical on the ice, because the Maple Leafs roster will look rather a lot completely different when the puck drops on the 2023-24 season.
For right now’s piece, let’s shift a bit of, and concentrate on who Leafs Nation can anticipate to see again within the lineup subsequent season. Modifications are little question coming, nonetheless don’t anticipate to see any of those 5 Maple Leafs moved this offseason:
Auston Matthews
I attempted my finest to assist put the commerce rumors to mattress with a latest article and I hope it helped. Auston Matthews just isn’t going anyplace and Treliving made this very clear throughout a latest press convention.
Matthews is the face of the franchise, he’s the crew’s finest participant and as Treliving just lately put it, he occurs to be probably the greatest gamers on your complete planet. A contract extension will get performed as Matthews desires to be in Toronto and Treliving sees the deal as a precedence. A lot so, he’ll be making his strategy to Arizona to satisfy personally with the Maple Leaf star and begin to construct, what he hopes is a long-lasting relationship for years to come back.
To me, it looks like a few of Leafs Nation take Matthews as a right a bit of bit and don’t essentially understand how a lot he actually cares in regards to the franchise and the place he stands within the Leafs’ file books. Everybody was so involved over his no-movement clause kicking in on July 1, however to me it’s a non situation. Matthews desires to remain, Treliving desires an extension signed, anticipate some excellent news later this summer season.
John Tavares
Sure, Maple Leafs’ captain John Tavares just isn’t the quickest skater on the crew and his contract isn’t probably the most reasonably priced within the league, nevertheless it’s arduous to disclaim the very fact he’s a world-class participant who nonetheless produces at a excessive degree. Tavares additionally occurs to don’t have any intention of leaving anytime quickly.
Final season was a studying expertise for Tavares as he was open sufficient to slip over to the wing as soon as the crew acquired Ryan O’Reilly. For now, it seems Tavares will slot again into the second-line heart function, until Treliving makes a splash and both indicators or acquires a succesful heart. O’Reilly is probably going gone, so it must be an alternative choice, in the meantime the identical can’t be mentioned for Tavares.
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Toronto’s captain desires to complete out his profession as a Maple Leaf and desires to show to Treliving he’ll be deserving of a contract extension subsequent July. Regardless of being knocked for being gradual, Tavares nonetheless produces at a excessive clip, placing up 80 factors in 80 regular-season video games in 2022-23. He then adopted up a strong common season with eight factors in 11 Stanley Cup Playoff video games. Anticipate a lot of the identical subsequent season.
Mitch Marner
IF the Maple Leafs do break up the core 4, which looks like a 0.1% probability at this level, it is going to seemingly be William Nylander being dealt. To me, Mitch Marner isn’t going anyplace anytime quickly and I wager when Treliving and Matthews meet this summer season, Matthews will make a push to have Marner re-signed subsequent summer season.
Sure, the playoff performances haven’t been splendid, particularly late within the collection, however regardless, the Maple Leafs can’t surrender on Marner. He does all of it for this crew and really nicely may win the Selke trophy this season because the league’s finest defensive ahead. Loopy to assume contemplating Marner additionally put up 99 factors within the course of.
It’s arduous to search out gamers who need to play in Toronto and Treliving must take benefit right here. Hold Marner within the fold and re-sign him subsequent summer season to a prolonged contract extension which runs parallel to Matthews’ new contract. The 2 can and can get it performed for the Maple Leafs.
Joseph Woll
Probably the greatest tales of final season was the play of goaltender Joseph Woll. From a formidable profitable streak to open his season within the American Hockey League, to then getting thrown within the fireplace of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Woll was up for each problem thrown his means in 2022-23.
The soon-to-be 25-year-old netminder occurs to be signed to an exquisite contract that runs by way of the 2024-25 season at simply $766,677. Treliving can thank Dubas for that one. Together with his reasonably priced contract and his regular play down the stretch for the Maple Leafs, there’s zero doubt Woll is again in Toronto subsequent season.
Search for Treliving to dump Matt Murray this summer season. He’ll seemingly try to transfer him on the NHL Draft and if the likes of the San Jose Sharks or Detroit Purple Wings cross, Treliving can then accept a buyout earlier than free company begins. This may create roughly $4 million in cap house for this upcoming season and provides the Maple Leafs a strategy to subsidize the incoming contract extension for restricted free-agent Ilya Samsonov. With Woll and Samsonov, the Maple Leafs are set in purpose. And at a really respectable value towards the wage cap I’d add.
Matthew Knies
The Maple Leafs don’t have a ton of younger gamers who’re shoe-ins to make the crew subsequent season, however you’ll be able to actually write Matthew Knies on the lineup card. Don’t use pencil both, would possibly as nicely use pen as a result of he’s a lock.
Knies lived as much as the large hype, arriving late within the season after a standout collegiate season and confirmed the Maple Leafs he’s going to be an impression participant who deserves top-six minutes. Lining up Knies with Matthews and Marner is how the primary line ought to look in 2023-24 and past.
I nonetheless can’t consider no Maple Leaf received revenge on Florida Panthers ahead Sam Bennett, who determined to ragdoll Knies into the ice, giving the younger ahead a concussion and ending his Maple Leafs’ season. This shall be one thing to observe shifting ahead as concussions are scary issues which may creep up unexpectedly.
Regardless, the 6-foot-3 ahead will proceed to get stronger and fill out his already cumbersome body. Changing into stronger will assist all parts of his sport. Knies has all-star potential and confirmed in his 10 video games final season, anticipate to see fast outcomes from the younger Maple Leaf. I predict a 60-point season in 2023-24.
Leafs Nation, anticipate adjustments, they’re inevitable in terms of a tough salary-cap world. Treliving has a tall process forward of him as Toronto at present has 11 free brokers to think about signing and two huge contract extensions to finish. Whereas not everybody shall be again from final season, the 5 Maple Leafs talked about above shall be.