As we head into the last Toronto Maple Leafs game before the all-star break it’s fair to say the team has so far exceeded expectations. Whether or not the young team can keep it going through the second half and actually makes the playoffs remains to be seen — but so far it’s been a fun ride for fans.
Frederik Andersen
After a poor and worrying start to the season — his first with the Leafs after signing a five-year contract — Andersen recovered and the Maple Leafs’ season really started to take off when he did. After posting a .876 save percentage in October, Andersen is now at .921 for the season tied for 12th among goalies with at least 15 games and among names such as Carey Price, Roberto Luongo and Cam Talbot.
And of course, goaltending is the great difference maker, one way or another, in the NHL.
“Winnipeg and Dallas with goaltending like Toronto, are they that bad?” wondered Renaud Lavoie on the Jeff Blair Show. “I don’t think so. It’s unbelievable that in 2017 they’re not the players that are receiving the biggest pay check on every team. It makes no sense.
“If Frederik Andersen was just playing the way he was playing in the first month obviously the Maple Leafs wouldn’t be in the playoffs right now. Obviously you have to give him a lot of credit.”
Auston Matthews
Let’s be honest here: the super rookie is the most obvious pick for team MVP and I’d be shocked if he doesn’t come out on top in our poll below. Matthews is the big No. 1 centre the team has so sorely lacked since Mats Sundin left for Vancouver in 2008. He is on pace to smash the Leafs’ record for rookie scoring, set by Peter Ihnacak in 1982-83 with 66 points. Matthews’ usage has changed as the season has gone on as well, being put up against stiffer competition more often than he was in October.
Not only that, he’s on pace to be just the 15th rookie in league history to hit the 40-goal mark and the first since Alex Ovechkin did it in 2005-06 — a season boosted by high power play totals. With his point production, his position and the fact he’s the face of the franchise now and for the forseeable future, Matthews is the favourite for team MVP right now.
Mitch Marner
Through 46 games, Marner is tied with Matthews in points and, whether he finishes ahead of the centreman or not, also is in prime position to move past Ihnacak’s freshman team record. The fact he’s a winger and Matthews is a centre works against Marner’s case, as does Matthews’ sheer goal total.
The case for Marner has more to do with expectations than comparing scoring totals. Coming into the season, it wasn’t even clear if Marner would have what it takes to stay in the NHL, let alone be a league leader in rookie scoring. Matthews may be exceeding the pre-season expectations of some as well, but not nearly to the degree Marner has. If Marner stayed in the CHL or was having a rookie campaign like Travis Konecny and had half as many points as he currently does, how much of a negative impact would that have had on the Leafs?
“How can you not be impressed with him?” said Patrick Kane on Hockey Central at Noon in early January. “I didn’t realize how skilled he was, how good of a shot he had and how good he is at stripping pucks and making moves along the boards and different things like that.”
Nazem Kadri
Another admitted long shot, Kadri is still a very important part of what the Maple Leafs do. We mentioned above that Matthews’ usage against top opponents has gone up from the start of the season, but Kadri is leaned on in these tough matchups more than anyone else on the team and in the league, with the exception of Leo Komarov. And now, the Selke Trophy buzz is building around him — an award no Maple Leaf has won since Doug Gilmour in 1992-93.
“Kadri smartened up,” Doug MacLean said on Hockey Central at Noon on Thursday. “He needed to be read the riot act a couple years ago and you know what? Give the kid full marks. Lots of guys never get it. He got it. He’s a man now and his game has blossomed because of it, so good on him.”
His game hasn’t just blossomed defensively either. Kadri is well on his way to a career-best season on offence, with 20 goals and 34 points already through 46 games. He needs just one more goal to surpass his career high in that stat and 17 points.
As great as it is for the Leafs that their rookies are playing such key roles, you still need depth, contributions from veterans and someone to play tough minutes against top opponents. Kadri has thrived in that role for Mike Babcock and his offensive production has taken off as well.
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