Maple Leafs expected to have 4 members win NHL awards this season

PUBLICATION

Travis Neil
August 18, 2023 (11:27)

SHARE THIS STORY

With the NHL season coming right around the corner it's time for fans to get optimistic about their teams and the Maple Leaf fan base may have lots to be excited about.

Potential Leafs Awards

The Maple Leafs are arguably the most entertaining team to watch in the NHL with their level of skill and talent which makes them one of the hardest teams to play against.

This year's team has the potential to have four members win trophies by the time next summer comes along.

Prior to the Auston Matthews era the Leafs had never been known for awards but now we might have ourselves four candidates to keep an eye on.

1. Matthews

A former 60 goal scorer in Matthews is almost always in the contention to win the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy for most goals in the regular season.

Matthews has been one of the leagues best snipers since joining the league however he is also a candidate to win the Lady Byng Award for most disciplined skilled player.

Matthews is coming off a down year for many but still collected 40 goals and 85 points last season and will surely be a lock for another 50 goal campaign.

He has won multiple trophies in the past so it will not be a shock if he can do it again.

2. Sheldon Keefe

The next member on the list is Head Coach Sheldon Keefe winning the Jack Adams Award for best coach in the NHL.

Although it is unlikely we will see Keefe win the Jack Adams as it usually goes to the coach of a team that made the playoffs after missing the playoffs the season prior, but we have seen the award go to the best team in the league.

With the Leafs consistently near the top of the league Keefe's name might get thrown in the ring for the award.

3. Mitch Marner

Mitch Marner is mainly known for his playmaking ability however the last couple seasons he has been showing his defensive ability making him a candidate to win the Frank J. Selke Trophy for best defensive forward.

The trophy that formerly dominated by Patrice Bergeron is currently up for grabs now that Bergeron has retired and Marner was nominated for the award last season.

THe 26-year-old has been playing on the top penalty killing unit in Toronto for the past couple seasons, even though it is hard for wingers to win the award Marner will look to take the trophy home with him this season.

4. Matthew Knies

Knies got to showcase his potential and some of his skill at the end of last season and will surely be a lock to play in the top six for the Leafs.

Knies will have a good chance of being nominated for the Calder Trophy for the best rookie in the season.

Knies strong play on the puck and being a big body will be a great addition to the Leafs top six and did not look intimated in the playoffs where the Leafs were out played physically.

Although he will be going head-to-head with arguably the most hyped prospect the league has ever seen in Connor Bedard.

The 2023-24 Toronto Maple Leafs will be an exciting team to watch and fans can expect the Leafs to take another stride forward towards hoisting Lord Stanley.

As Seen on Editor in Leaf - Toronto Maple Leafs Could Win Multiple NHL Awards in 2023-24