52-26-4 108 points (1st Atlantic, 2nd conference, 4th overall)
3.26 GF/GP, 7th; 2.79 GA/GP, 8th
24.8 PP%, 9th; 77.9 PK%, 17th
Key losses: F Mitch Marner
Key additions: F Dakota Joshua, F Nicolas Roy F Matias Maccelli
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Expected lineup:
Matthew Knies – Auston Matthews – William Nylander
Bobby McMann – John Tavares – Matias Maccelli
Max Domi – Nicolas Roy – Nick Robertson
Steven Lorenz – Scott Laughton – Dakota Joshua
Morgan Rielly – Brandon Carlo
Jake McCabe – Chris Tanev
Oliver Ekman-Larsson – Simon Benoit
Anthony Stolarz
Joseph Woll
Dennis Hildeby
James Reimer (PTO)
PP1: Knies – Matthews – Nylander – Tavares – Rielly
PP2: Maccelli- McMann – Domi – Robertson- OEL
5×5:
Toronto’s offensive output fell by 31 goals but few noticed as they improved defensively by 32 goals. Even with the decline in production, no one was concerned about their ability to score goals as six players tallied 20 or more times. This year, the focus might be slightly altered following the departure of Mitch Marner.
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While the team was productive, few players had career-best campaigns. The only skater who took a major step forward was Matthew Knies, who showed he could be a first line winger. Marner has his best offensive season, but was not replaced by another elite scorer, rather with pieces that fill gaps for the Buds.
Don’t take this to mean that Toronto lacks elite scoring. Any team that can roll out Auston Matthews, William Nylander and Knies on the first line is not lacking. Add in John Tavares on the second line and you have four pretty good scorers. For the team to retain their spot or take the next step, they will need a few more of their younger wingers and added personnel to pick the slack created by Marner’s absence..
PP
Toronto’s power play was fairly similar to the prior campaign, separated by just .8 per cent year over year. Matthews saw his power play goal production fall from 18 goals to 10 but Knies added five goals. Tavares notched 12 goals on the man-advantage, helping the Maple Leafs’ offense.
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One key this season will be the play of Morgan Rielly. He is expected to take over running the PP from the point. Look for a spike in output. In addition, the second unit could see Matias Maccelli and Nick Robertson, giving that five-man unit a different look.
The penalty kill was also fairly static year over year. Toronto likes using Matthews and Knies as a PK duo. David Kampf, when in the lineup, should see lots of PK time. Chris Tanev and Simon Benoit are stalwarts on the back line. The solid play shorthanded as the season wore on imploded in the postseason.
All stats courtesy of naturalstattrick.com, moneypuck.com, hockeyviz.com, allthreezones.com, hockey-reference.com, eliteprospects.com unless otherwise noted.