Every season is different, but this one in particular is a stark contrast for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Star forward Mitch Marner is gone. New players have entered the fray. John Tavares signed a team-friendly extension. There’s no telling what next season may bring, but one thing is for certain: things will be different in Toronto.
If the Maple Leafs hope to finally get over that second round hump, though, they’ll need their depth to step up to the plate. Auston Matthews and William Nylander combined for 20 points in 13 games last season. Marner, on the other hand, brought in 13 points in 13 games.
In order to replace his production, the offense has to kick it into a higher gear. These two candidates – one forward and one defenseman – have what it takes to help the Maple Leafs. It’s up to head coach Craig Berube and general manager Brad Treliving to give them the tools they need to succeed.
Mattias Maccelli Poised for Bounce Back Season
It wasn’t that long ago that Matias Maccelli was in Calder conversations. The former Arizona Coyote had a stellar season in 2022-23 with 49 points in 64 games, following it up with a 57-point campaign in 2023-24. Last season, however, Maccelli took a step back. He struggled to convert and finished the season with just eight goals and 10 assists for 18 points in 55 games.
Still, Maccelli, 24, has shown he’s got what it takes at the NHL level. Where he lands in the lineup will entirely depend on how he performs in Toronto. Should the playmaking forward wind up on a line with Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies, he’ll have a chance to put his high-flying passes to work.
At his best, he’ll help to fill some of the void left by Marner. At his worst, he’s a serviceable depth option for a team in need of some depth help. Time will tell what becomes of Maccelli.
Morgan Rielly Needs Big Year with Maple Leafs
Rielly led all Maple Leafs defensemen in scoring. But, with that said, his regular season performance left a lot to be desired. With just seven goals and 34 assists for 41 points in 82 games, the offensive defenseman isn’t hitting the numbers he had in the past.
To make matters worse, he’s playing around a significantly improved offense and defensive core, leaving many wondering what more he can produce for the Maple Leafs. Some have even speculated that Rielly could be traded this offseason.
“That’s not what I’m thinking about right now,” Rielly said when asked if he’d consider a trade. “There’s always change. Every summer, every offseason is different. As a player, I think sometimes it’s best not to speculate on what may or may not happen. So, for us, I mean for me individually, you want to focus on what you can do to come back a better version of yourself at the next training camp.”
Rielly is in the third year of an eight-year contract with a $7.5M AAV. He has a no movement clause in his deal until 2028-29, where it becomes a modified no-trade clause with a 10-team list.
2 Toronto Maple Leafs Bounce Back Candidates