The Toronto Maple Leafs enter the 2023-24 season with high expectations, as they have for many years now. With a young and talented core led by Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and William Nylander, the Leafs are hoping to finally make a deep playoff run.
Here are eight bold predictions for the Maple Leafs in 2023-24:
1. Auston Matthews scores 60 goals
Matthews is already one of the best goal scorers in the NHL, and he is poised to take his game to the next level in 2023-24. He is coming off a season in which he scored 58 goals, and he is still only 25 years old. Matthews is a physical force in front of the net, and he has a lethal shot. If he can stay healthy, he has a good chance of scoring 60 goals this season.
2. Mitch Marner wins the Selke Trophy
Marner is known for his offensive prowess, but he is also a very good defensive forward. He has improved his defensive game in recent years, and he is now one of the best two-way forwards in the NHL. If Marner can continue to improve defensively and help the Leafs win more games, he has a good chance of winning the Selke Trophy this season.
3. William Nylander signs a long-term contract extension
Nylander is entering the final year of his contract, and there has been some speculation about his future with the Leafs. However, I believe that Nylander and the Leafs will agree to a long-term contract extension before the start of the season. Nylander is a key part of the Leafs’ core, and they want to keep him in Toronto for the long term.
4. John Klingberg has a bounce-back season
Klingberg had a disappointing first season with the Leafs in 2022-23. He only scored 47 points in 74 games, and he was not as effective defensively as the Leafs had hoped. However, I believe that Klingberg will have a bounce-back season in 2023-24. He is a talented offensive defenseman, and he is motivated to prove himself to the Leafs’ fans.
5. Matt Murray wins 35 games
Murray had a mixed bag of a first season with the Leafs in 2022-23. He won 29 games, but he also lost 25 games and had a goals-against average of 2.88. However, I believe that Murray will have a better season in 2023-24. He is a Stanley Cup-winning goaltender, and he has the experience and talent to lead the Leafs to a deep playoff run.
6. The Leafs win the Atlantic Division
The Atlantic Division is one of the toughest divisions in the NHL, but I believe that the Leafs have the talent to win it in 2023-24. They have a deep forward group led by Matthews, Marner, and Nylander, and they have a solid defense led by Klingberg and Morgan Rielly. If Murray can have a good season, the Leafs should be able to win the Atlantic Division.
7. The Leafs make a trade at the deadline
The Leafs have a lot of talent on their roster, but they may need to make a trade at the deadline to add a piece or two that can help them win a championship. They could look to add a veteran defenseman or forward who has playoff experience. The Leafs also have a lot of young talent, so they could trade a few prospects to get a proven player who can help them win now.
8. The Leafs make it to the Stanley Cup Final
The Leafs have not been to the Stanley Cup Final since 1967, but I believe that they have a chance to make it this season. They have a young and talented core, and they have a good mix of veterans and rookies. If they can stay healthy and play their best hockey in the playoffs, they have a good chance of winning the Stanley Cup.
These are just a few bold predictions for the Maple Leafs in 2023-24. It will be interesting to see if any of them come true.
Also Read: College Football Rankings: Top 10 Team to Fall in Week 6
3 players for the Toronto Maple Leafs that could break out in 2023-24
The Toronto Maple Leafs have one of the most talented rosters in the NHL, but they’ve been unable to get past the first round of the playoffs in recent years. If they want to make a deeper run in 2023-24, they’ll need some of their young players to step up and have breakout seasons.
Here are three Maple Leafs players who could break out in 2023-24:
1. Matthew Knies
Matthew Knies is the Maple Leafs’ top prospect, and he’s ready to make an impact at the NHL level. He’s a big, strong forward with excellent skating and offensive skills. He also has a knack for scoring goals in big moments, as evidenced by his four points in seven playoff games last season.
Knies is expected to start the season on one of the Maple Leafs’ top lines, and he has the potential to be a 20-goal scorer in his first NHL season. He’s also a good two-way player, so he can contribute in all areas of the ice.
2. Timothy Liljegren
Timothy Liljegren has been one of the Maple Leafs’ most promising young defensemen for several years now, but he hasn’t been able to stay healthy or consistent. However, he showed flashes of brilliance last season, and he’s poised for a breakout season in 2023-24.
Liljegren is a skilled puck-mover with a good offensive upside. He’s also a good defender, and he’s been working on improving his physicality. If he can stay healthy and take the next step in his development, Liljegren could become a top-four defenseman for the Maple Leafs.
3. Joseph Woll
The Maple Leafs have a goaltending competition on their hands this offseason, with Matt Murray and Joseph Woll both vying for the starting job. Woll has the potential to be the Maple Leafs’ goaltender of the future, and he could have a breakout season in 2023-24.
Woll is a quick and athletic goaltender with good reflexes. He also has a good understanding of the game and is able to position himself well. If he can improve his consistency and mental toughness, Woll could push Murray for the starting job this season.
These are just three of the Maple Leafs’ young players who could have breakout seasons in 2023-24. If these players can step up and contribute, the Maple Leafs could be one of the most dangerous teams in the NHL.
Does Nylander stay at centre?
William Nylander is entering the final year of his contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs, and there are a number of questions surrounding his future with the team. One of the biggest questions is whether he will stay at centre, a position he has primarily played in training camp and the pre-season so far.
Nylander was drafted as a centre by the Leafs in 2014, but he has mostly played on the wing during his NHL career. However, Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe has said that he believes Nylander can play centre at a high level, and he is giving him a chance to prove it this season.
Here are some of the pros and cons of Nylander staying at centre:
Pros:
- He can create offense from anywhere on the ice
- He is a good skater with a high hockey IQ
- He is a good passer and can set up his teammates for scoring opportunities
- He has previously played centre at a high level in the AHL
Cons:
- He needs to improve his defensive game
- He needs to learn how to win face-offs
- He needs to be more physical in the middle of the ice
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to keep Nylander at centre will be up to Keefe. However, if Nylander can improve his defensive game and win face-offs, he has the potential to be a very good centre at the NHL level.
What happens if Martin Jones gets claimed?
On October 9, 2023, Martin Jones was placed on waivers by the Toronto Maple Leafs. This means that any team in the NHL can claim him for free, provided they have the cap space to do so. If Jones goes unclaimed, he will be assigned to the Toronto Marlies, the Maple Leafs’ American Hockey League affiliate.
If Jones is claimed, he will be immediately added to the claiming team’s roster. The Maple Leafs will still be responsible for paying the remainder of Jones’ contract, which has a cap hit of $5.75 million. However, the claiming team will be responsible for paying Jones his salary, which is $2 million.
There are a few reasons why a team might claim Jones.
First, he is a veteran goaltender with over 400 NHL games of experience. He is also a two-time Stanley Cup champion, winning the Cup with the Los Angeles Kings in 2012 and 2014.
Second, Jones is relatively inexpensive. The claiming team will only be responsible for paying Jones his salary, which is $2 million. This is a relatively small price to pay for a goaltender with Jones’ experience and pedigree.
Third, Jones could fill a need for the claiming team. If the claiming team has a young goaltender who needs some time to develop, Jones could provide them with a veteran backup option. If the claiming team’s starting goaltender gets injured, Jones could also step in and start.
Here are some specific teams that could claim Martin Jones:
- Ottawa Senators: The Senators are a young team that is rebuilding. They have two young goaltenders in Mads Sogaard and Kevin Mandolese, but neither of them has much NHL experience. Jones could provide them with a veteran backup option.
- Anaheim Ducks: The Ducks are another young team that is rebuilding. They also have two young goaltenders in Lukas Dostal and Olle Eriksson Ek, but neither of them has much NHL experience. Jones could provide them with a veteran backup option.
- Colorado Avalanche: The Avalanche are the defending Stanley Cup champions, but their starting goaltender, Darcy Kuemper, is getting older. Jones could provide them with a veteran backup option who could also start if Kuemper gets injured.
- Calgary Flames: The Flames are a team that is always looking to improve their goaltending. They have a solid starting goaltender in Jacob Markstrom, but their backup goaltender, Dan Vladar, is not as reliable. Jones could provide them with a more reliable backup option.
- Pittsburgh Penguins: The Penguins are a team that is always looking to improve their goaltending. They have a solid starting goaltender in Tristan Jarry, but their backup goaltender, Casey DeSmith, is not as reliable. Jones could provide them with a more reliable backup option.
1 thought on “Maple Leafs Season Preview: 2 Players Who Could Be Traded”