#toronto-maple-leafs

#toronto-maple-leafs

By just about any standard, Rielly just endured a season to forget. His production slipped from 58 to 41 points, making it tougher to stomach the weaknesses that always come with his strengths. Frankly, you could even ask if Rielly is a clear-cut No.1 defenseman. After all, Jake McCabe averaged slightly more ice time during both the regular season and playoffs.

While other teams around the NHL will have a couple spots to fill and have a mix of veteran skaters and young and hungry prospects fighting for that roster spot and to not suffer the heartbreak of a cut before opening night; the Leafs don't. If anything, they have more than the actual skaters they should have. With the re-signing of Nick Robertson earlier this month, the Maple Leafs have 14 forwards and seven defensemen on the NHL roster.

"It was hard. Definitely a change,"

In a somewhat surprising result, the Tampa Bay Lightning are projected to be the division winners; even after they are seen on a slight decline to make way for the Florida Panthers as the dominant force in the Sunshine State. This would be the Lightning's first division title since the 2018-19 season when they finished one of the best seasons in modern NHL history. A wild record of 62-16-4 -- which is not what JFresh is projecting for this year with just 102 points earned.

Matthew Knies received a substantial long-term commitment from the Leafs and is a prized player in the organization. He will need to take another step forward to help offset the loss of Mitch Marner, and he'll need to prove his 29-goal season while shooting 19 percent was not an aberration. Knies is one of the better young power forwards in the league, has already established himself as a viable linemate for 1C Auston Matthews, and still contains untapped potential.

Alex Nylander, brother of William Nylander, has signed a one-year AHL contract with the Marlies, further enhancing the team's depth.

Brad Treliving, the general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, made a savvy move by signing goaltender Anthony Stolarz to a two-year, $5 million deal. Stolarz's first season in Toronto was a success, as he and Joseph Woll formed one of the NHL's top goaltending duos. Stolarz recorded career-highs in several categories and led the league in save percentage, showcasing his strong performance throughout the season. Despite this success, the Maple Leafs have reasons to be cautious about extending Stolarz, given his injury history and the need to evaluate his long-term viability.

Victor Johansson, picked in the fourth round of the 2024 NHL Draft, is impressing at the World Junior Summer Showcase and proving to be a valuable prospect for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Carter Verhaeghe, a third-round pick in the 2013 NHL Draft, has become a notable mention among the Toronto Maple Leafs' draft successes and is viewed as a key player that slipped away.