The Toronto Maple Leafs' 'Core Four' of star forwards are dependable to deliver as advertised, but the team's trio of young wingers could play a pivotal role in getting the Leafs to the top of the Atlantic Division and beyond in 2024-25.
Even after the Toronto Maple Leafs made extensive changes to their roster this summer, there are certain things we know for sure about the team as they head into the 2024-25 NHL regular season. But there are also variables we can’t narrow down nearly as easily. And those variables are going to go a long way toward deciding where the Buds finish in the highly-competitive Atlantic Division.
First, let’s talk about the things we do know about this lineup: We know superstar center Auston Matthews is going to lead the team, and most likely the league, in goal-scoring. We also know star winger Mitch Marner is going to excel at the playmaking side of things. And we know captain John Tavares is almost certainly going to be at or close to a point-per-game player, as he’s always been in his NHL career. Oh, and William Nylander – we know he’s going to chip in with a considerable amount of offense.
There’s always the possibility that injuries hamper one of the Core Four’s contributions, but Leafs management is depending on the quartet to deliver as advertised, both in the regular season and Stanley Cup playoffs.
But here’s what we don’t know: how the Leafs’ secondary scoring is going to come together. And in particular, what a trio of players is going to do to help in that regard.
One of those players is someone who’s reportedly requested a trade out of Toronto: winger Nick Robertson. The 22-year-old posted 14 goals and 27 points while averaging just 11:23 of ice time per game in 56 games this past season, and while he’s yet to sign a new contract, we’re going under the assumption Leafs GM Brad Treliving is going to get him signed by training camp. Robertson is not a third or fourth-line player, but with no room on the first line, it feels like it’s the second line or bust for him in 2024-25. And if Robertson can post 20-25 goals at that spot on the roster, Toronto brass are going to be pleased they didn’t honor his trade request.
That said, there’s going to be serious competition for that second-line winger position. And it’s going to come from second-year NHLer Bobby McMann. The 28-year-old’s numbers – including 15 goals and 24 points in 56 games – are strikingly similar to Robertson’s, but McMann has more snarl to his game, and most importantly, he’s signed to a team-friendly $1.35-million per-season contract for the next two years. For that reason, some people are penciling in McMann as the second-line winger, but McMann still will have to show he’s capable of capitalizing on the opportunity with strong play out of the gate.
The third younger Leafs forward who is going to be a wild card of sorts will probably begin the season on the first line – winger Matthew Knies. Treliving and Buds management were extremely pleased with the 21-year-old who generated 15 goals and 35 points in 80 games, but he was especially impactful in the playoffs, where he went to all areas of the ice and put forth a gritty performance against the Boston Bruins, including two goals and three points in seven games. Knies was also protected somewhat in his rookie NHL season, averaging just 13:41 per game. But the more he settles into his role as a Leaf, the more effective he’s going to be. And he’s going to be cost-controlled for quite some time, as he’s going to be an RFA after this coming season.
As we saw in the 2024 post-season, scoring goals was easier said than done for the Leafs. But if things go as planned and Toronto gets a wide array of high-impact performances from the 'Core Four' and their secondary point-producers, the less pressure all Leafs will be feeling. Toronto doesn’t need every one of the aforementioned players to make giant leaps forward, as we know progress at the NHL level isn’t always linear. But if the Buds can get one or two of their secondary forwards to chip in a notable amount of offense, the Leafs are going to finish the regular season in the first or second spot in the Atlantic. And the home-ice advantage that comes along with finishing at or near the top of the division could wind up being a difference-maker in moving on to the second round and beyond.
Everyone in Toronto operates under the microscope, but McMann, Knies and Robertson are going to come under considerable scrutiny in 2024-25. If they can flourish, the Leafs are going to be one of the most dangerous squads in the sport. And if they struggle, Treliving is going to waste no time to acquire players who can come in and thrive in those lineup spots.