Predicting the Toronto Maple Leafs 2024-2025 Official Roster
With the preseason wrapped up, the Toronto Maple Leafs will have the best roster available for opening night vs. Montreal; we look at who will and won't make the ice.
With last year's playoff loss in the rearview mirror, all eyes are on the 2024-2025 iteration of the Toronto Maple Leafs. A team that was rebuilt with a different mindset aimed at adding toughness, defense, and an intimidation factor; they added a new head coach in Craig Berube, beefed up their defense with Chris Tanev, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and Jani Hakanpaa. Meanwhile, they added veterans Max Pacioretty and Steven Lorentz plus signed premier backup Anthony Stolarz to help Joseph Woll's first year as a starter. There were several hopeful names as well that were looking to make an impact such as Easton Cowan, Fraser Minten, and Marshall Rifai; names Toronto could find themselves calling upon sooner than later.
So with that being said, and with the regular season opening for Toronto on Wednesday: Who's in and who's out?
Max Pacioretty and Steven Lorentz find their roles
A lot of questions surrounded the signing of former Montreal Canadiens captain Max Pacioretty to a PTO this summer, as his injury history and the fact he played for a rival team for years left Maple Leafs fans a bit perplexed. A lot of worry around a 35-year-old with two down seasons and injuries was expected, but in a blazing show of defiance, not only has Pacioretty looked healthy; he's looked 10 years younger.
After showing his speed and conditioning at the start of camp, Pacioretty came out as a house of fire for the Maple Leafs, scoring two goals and adding an assist in their first preseason game against Ottawa, then added two assists in Toronto's 2-0 win over Detroit. While it's tough to look at the preseason as a surefire bet, it's been impressive to see Pacioretty do what he's been able to do so far. He's played the ever-wily veteran, using his leadership to make sure everyone is in the right spot, and has found some chemistry with Nick Robertson; his prospective linemate who is poised to have a breakout year (more on Robertson in a bit).
Joining Max Pacioretty on a PTO this summer was Steven Lorentz, former Stanley Cup winner with Florida last year and a big piece of Toronto's new identity. He wins faceoffs, he's defensively sound, he knows where to be and he's able to put the puck in the net as well. Nearly at 50% for his career on the faceoff, and has nearly double the amount of takeaways as giveaways means he's not reckless with the puck, and he's able to make calculated decisions and pick his spots, knowing where to be and helping spark the offense. Not only glued to center, Lorentz offers the Maple Leafs versatility by being able to play on both wings and could easily slide up and down between the third and fourth lines; something head coach Craig Berube appreciates.
Max Pacioretty found his role as a veteran scorer who just so happens to be moving like he was a decade younger, and having him as a depth piece with his potential for massive production can only spell success for Toronto in the long run. Lorentz's role is quieter albeit just as important. His defensive acumen, position versatility, and doing all the little things right is the perfect player to thrive under Craig Berube; and feels like a player the St. Louis Blues would have employed in their Stanley Cup-winning run in 2018. Toronto needs to find the cap space for both men however, placing Connor Dewar and Jani Hakanpaa (yes, even though he's a key addition) on LTIR would allow them to sign both men and give them time to figure out future salary restrictions.
Both men have made their case for a place not only on opening night, but for the rest of the 82-game slate, and could find themselves as dark horse heroes for a Maple Leafs Stanley Cup win.
Easton's heading West to London
Easton Cowan, the Maple Leafs 28th overall pick in 2023 found himself with one heck of an opportunity this preseason. Coming into camp with something to prove, Cowan was given shot after shot; suiting up in five of the Maple Leafs six preseason games and garnering high praise from both teammates and head coach Craig Berube. He was exciting to watch with the puck and even had a few highlight reel plays during the Prospect Showcase against Montreal.
However, it was the minimal time he had the puck during the preseason was a big concern. He often looked a bit lost out on the ice and gave the puck away a lot more than anticipated. Cowan would look like he was trying too hard, or trying to prove too much to everyone as opposed to playing the game he knows and loves. Cowan himself attested to this, stating that the mental pressure of playing in Toronto played a factor into his overall performance. Cowan understands it's just part of the process, and his journey with the Maple Leafs was one of hard work, dedication, and overall a fantastic learning experience. Playing against NHL-caliber talent, being entrusted to play with veterans and superstars, and being given every chance to show what he has is not a bad preseason, and just because he doesn't make the team yet means he's bad. Far from it.
Giving him another year in London (due to the fact they can't send him down due to regulations regarding his age) would allow Cowan to not only take what he learned from camp and build upon an incredible 96-point season but grow more mentally and physically before coming back to camp next season, where he will certainly make his case for opening night in 2025. It wasn't Cowan's time this season, but he's going to make it his time next summer.
Anthony Stolarz: #1 Goaltender?
It's not too often you walk into free agency on July 1st with nothing and walk out with a Stanley Cup winning goaltender who has been one of the premier backups in the NHL. But for GM Brad Treliving, he accomplished just that when he signed Anthony Stolarz to a two-year, $5M contract; ensuring his goaltending situation was secure with rookie Joseph Woll's first season as a starter.
But will it be Stolarz taking the helm for the season? It's a huge possibility. The Maple Leafs aren't in a position to have any setbacks or speed bumps on their road to the Stanley Cup. So what if Joseph Woll finds himself in a sophomore slump? It's no guarantee that Woll will be the lights out netminder he was in the Boston series last year, and he's still fairly unproven in the midst of the goaltenders Toronto has. Stolarz is 43-31-9 for his career as a backup with a 2.69 GAA and .915 SV%; very solid numbers considering he played for some less-than-stellar teams over his time in the NHL. He's a year removed from winning the Cup with Florida, he's an absolute giant in the net at 6'6, 243 pounds and provides an intimidation factor that Woll can't provide.
Woll only played half of a preseason game before getting the start in Toronto's final game against Detroit, a decent showing but he did give up two goals on 20 shots; not fantastic numbers heading into the regular season. Meanwhile, Stolarz looked great in the Maple Leafs 2-0 win against Detroit and felt like the #1 goaltender in that game. He played more than Woll, had better stats than Woll, and his presence made the team feel complete for the first time in years.
All of those traits play well into the future of Anthony Stolarz, and perhaps it wouldn't be the worst idea to see how good Stolarz can be once thrust into the spotlight of one of the NHL's biggest franchises.
Nick Robertson: Future Superstar
What a turnaround for Nick Robertson. From asking for a trade request due to limited playing time and feeling disrespected to being the Maple Leafs top scorer in the preseason a few months later has to be admired. Robertson not only has something to prove to the Maple Leafs that he belongs in that Top-6 conversation, but that he can do everything needed to help the team. He's not just offensively gifted, but plays a full 200-foot game and wears his heart on his sleeve every time he plays. Coming into camp it was clear Robertson's goal was to not only make the team but make a statement, and a statement he has made.
Scoring five goals, including two multi-goal efforts against Montreal and Detroit; Robertson has shown not only an offensive spark but has looked more poised and comfortable under new head coach Craig Berube. Berube has spoken highly of Robertson, and with Sheldon Keefe out of the picture, Robertson has a new lease on life. With his limited ice time last season, he scored 14 goals and 13 assists, but even that small sample size has to impress fans. Given he's going to have a presumed line of Max Pacioretty and John Tavares, Robertson can learn from two highly respected veterans while also being allowed to flourish offensively; and given both Tavares and Pacioretty are capable playmakers, the sky's the limit for Robertson.
It's all coming together for Robertson, who should be a big factor in the Maple Leafs lineup come opening night and beyond; something not lost on the 23-year old.
The Wrap-Up Predicting the Maple Leafs Roster in 2024-2025
There are still a few names on the Maple Leafs roster who we haven't heard news of such as Marshall Rifai, Philippe Myers, or Fraser Minten; however, it's presumed that Rifai and Myers will be reassigned to the Marlies. When Minten returns it will be interesting to see how ready he is and where the Maple Leafs are at the time of his return, but he'll more than likely be a big part of the Marlies and await an eventual call-up.
But the Leafs roster is looking as set in stone as ever. The team had a game plan this offseason and it looks like they've done all they can to accomplish it. They added a bunch of shutdown defensemen whose focus is on protecting the zone and not looking lost. Veteran leadership and scoring were added with Pacioretty and Lorentz, two players who could be key factors in a deep Toronto playoff push. Emerging superstar Nick Robertson is chomping at the bit to prove he's in the upper echelon of wingers in the NHL and head coach Craig Berube will give him every opportunity to do so. Oh, not to mention a Stanley Cup winning goaltender who could find himself leading the team this season.
If the Maple Leafs wanted to feel close to exorcising their playoff demons, they've done what's necessary to make sure this season is not only an exciting one, but a winning one.
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