We’re speeding into the final quarter of the season, with the NHL Trade Deadline on the horizon, and the Toronto Maple Leafs are looking to make a push for a prolonged playoff run, in what could potentially be the final season of the Core Four era.
Toronto has played 61 games this season, so third-quarter report cards are due. It’s worth a reminder that grades are for just for the quarter, and they’re relative to expectations for the player, while injuries are accounted for.
Here are our third-quarter grades for the Maple Leafs:
Simon Benoit: It hasn’t been pretty for Benoit, who has struggled throughout the season. Benoit sported a -6 goal differential at 5-on-5 throughout this quarter, while the Maple Leafs controlled just 39 percent of the expected goals via Natural Stat Trick. He’s often playing himself out of position in search of a big hit, and it’s possible Brad Treliving finds an upgrade on the blue line ahead of Friday’s deadline. D
Connor Dewar: Dewar was getting caved in during the seven games he played this quarter, prior to going on injured reserve. He was activated from injured reserve on March 2, but he hasn’t made an impact for the Maple Leafs, aside from a late-December stretch where he was throwing a ton of hits. Dewar is still scoreless this season. D
Max Domi: Domi isn’t having the season many expected, but his underlying numbers this quarter suggest he’s in for a second half up-tick, as he boasts a plus-eight goal differential since January 7, while the Maple Leafs control 60 percent of the expected goals when he’s on the ice at 5-on-5. It’s sometimes hard to justify his place given his contract and lack of offensive production, but Domi is showing signs that he’s turning the corner, at least as a playmaker, and he’s unlikely to be going anywhere with a 13-team no-trade clause. B-
Oliver Ekman-Larsson: Ekman-Larsson has been asked to play a number of roles for the Maple Leafs, and he’s been paired with Morgan Rielly during a stretch where both players have reinvigorated their offence. He plays with a physical streak and provides leadership, although he’s prone to lapses with his rush defence. He’s sported a plus-nine goal differential during this quarter at 5-on-5, and Ekman-Larsson will be counted upon to elevate his game even further during Chris Tanev’s injury-related absence. B+
Jani Hakanpaa: Hakanpaa did not play a game this quarter due to injury and while he’s still doing his all to work his way back into the lineup, it’s possible we’ve seen the last of him this season. Incomplete
Dennis Hildeby: Hildeby was returned to the AHL’s Toronto Marlies in January, and was poor during his two starts during this quarter. With a towering frame and decent lateral agility, Hildeby could eventually be a contributor at the NHL level but he’s not there yet at this stage of his career. C-
Pontus Holmberg: Holmberg leads the Leafs in drawn penalties and he’s thrived coming out of the 4 Nations break in a second-line role alongside John Tavares and William Nylander. For large stretches of the year, pucks would die on Holmberg’s stick, but he’s made the most of his recent opportunity and recorded four goals in a three-game span to close out February. B
Calle Jarnkrok: Jarnkrok made his season debut Monday against the San Jose Sharks, after returning from groin and sports hernia surgery. He’ll have a significant role on the Maple Leafs during the final quarter of the year. Incomplete
David Kampf: Kampf has struggled at 5-on-5 and doesn’t provide any offence whatsoever, he hasn’t elevated the fourth line, but he’s also a strong penalty killer who can be trusted situationally, particularly with a lead. It makes for a tricky evaluation. C+
Matthew Knies: Knies is the greatest beneficiary of Auston Matthews’ return and he’s been a force on the top line, with 15 points in 17 games this quarter. He’s imperative to the power play, using his size as a screener, causing havoc at the net-front and he’s trending towards a 30-goal plus campaign. Knies is the present, the future and a staple of Toronto’s top line with Matthews and Marner, in a breakout year. A-
Steven Lorentz: Lorentz’s speed and championship pedigree makes him an interesting option on the fourth line, his underlying numbers are solid and he’s what you’d envision out of a bottom-six forward. He may be forced out of the lineup if the Leafs make an upgrade, but he can be relied upon to win puck battles and make easy exits. B-
Mitch Marner: Marner certainly benefited from the 4 Nations Face-Off, where he submitted an excellent performance in the final. Marner is setting larger goals ahead, but he’s been an elite playmaker throughout the year, while thriving in all situations for the Maple Leafs. There are some parties who won’t be satisfied until Marner delivers a signature playoff performance, but he’s been outstanding during the regular season for the Maple Leafs, and gets another top grade this quarter. A
Auston Matthews: Matthews returned on January 4 against the Boston Bruins and while many immediately hoped he’d return to 69-goal form, he’s played at an elite level, creating chances for his linemates, leading the Maple Leafs with 10 goals and 23 points in 19 games since January 7, prior to Monday’s contest against the San Jose Sharks. He’s fighting through an upper-body injury, but Matthews is still delivering excellent results, even if he’s not scoring from long-distance like he did during the 2023-24 campaign. It’ll be compelling to see how the Leafs manage his minutes during the final quarter, as he’s imperative to their playoff run. A
Jake McCabe: McCabe has formed an excellent shutdown pairing with Chris Tanev, he’s getting more involved in the offence and often has to take on the opponent’s best players. It hasn’t been perfect, and McCabe’s underlying numbers suggest that he should get some rest during the final quarter of the year, but he’s been an essential part of the Maple Leafs’ structural transformation this year. A-
Bobby McMann: McMann’s elite speed off the rush allows him to be deployed throughout the lineup, he’s received occasional shifts on the top line, and he’s making life much easier for Max Domi and Nick Robertson. There have been a few dry spells offensively through the quarter, but McMann is still on pace for a 20-goal plus season, while making life hell for opponents on the forecheck. B
Dakota Mermis: Mermis did not play for the Maple Leafs during this quarter. Incomplete
Fraser Minten: Minten played in four games for the Maple Leafs this quarter, before he was returned to the AHL’s Toronto Marlies. The 20-year-old showed flashes of his NHL potential, but ultimately, the organization felt it was better for his development to gain meaningful playing time in the AHL. Minten could be dangled in trade talks throughout the week, for a player that provides an immediate upgrade for the team this season.
Matt Murray: Murray did not play for the Maple Leafs during this quarter. Incomplete
Philippe Myers: Myers is effectively fighting for the No. 6 spot again with Conor Timmins and was benched for a large stretch of this quarter. He provides a different wrinkle with a booming shot that needs to find the net more often, and can’t afford to be making some of the positional mistakes he’s been prone to. Toronto is invested in his continued development, but it will need to shelter his minutes down the stretch. C
William Nylander: Nylander issued a challenge to the Leafs during a January losing streak, stating that good teams find their way out. He leads the NHL in breakaways, he’s been a nightmare for opponents to contain off the rush and he’s constantly getting points on the board, sometimes making the game look effortless. The Breakaway Man has an outside shot at a 50-goal campaign. A-
Max Pacioretty: Pacioretty has been fighting through injury during this quarter and his efficency has waned after a relatively hot start to the year. His positional flexibility is an asset for the Maple Leafs, but he could be one of the odd men out once Toronto optimizes its playoff rotation. C+
Ryan Reaves: Reaves has been the least effective player on the Maple Leafs, the fourth line performs better when he’s out of the lineup, and there’s no conceivable reason to play him, even if you want your lineup to be tougher. F
Morgan Rielly: Rielly bounced back from a tough campaign to date with an excellent showing during Toronto’s road trip leading into the 4 Nations break. He’s playing with renewed confidence offensively, although his rush defence still leaves plenty to be desired. Rielly is effectively operating as Toronto’s No. 3, with the capability to elevate his game, and he’s often found a way to up his level during the postseason. B
Marshall Rifai: Rifai has not played for the Maple Leafs this season. Incomplete
Nick Robertson: Robertson officially rescinded his trade request and he’s been buzzing since the 4 Nations break ended, with five points in five games. There’s a chance Robertson will be traded ahead of Friday’s deadline, but his confidence appears to be growing and if he’s scoring, he has to be considered for the playoff lineup, given that the Maple Leafs have struggled with depth contributions this year. B
Alex Steeves: Steeves looked like a different player during his most recent stint with the Maple Leafs, and found his confidence at the NHL level. He’s a superior option to Ryan Reaves on the fourth line, but Steeves was sent down to the Marlies, in order to make room for Calle Jarnkrok’s return. Steeves is scorching the AHL, and he’s a potential call-up in the event of further injury this season. B-
Anthony Stolarz: Stolarz missed most of the quarter recovering from a procedure on his knee. Since he rejoined the team on February 6, Stolarz has looked like a genuine Vezina Trophy candidate, unbeaten in four games prior to Monday’s contest against the San Jose Sharks. He’s the leading candidate for the playoff starter role and he provides the Maple Leafs with a much-larger margin of error. A
Chris Tanev: Tanev is the Leafs’ best defenceman and his absence from the lineup is proving what we knew to be true. The 35-year-old suffered an upper-body injury during a 5-4 victory over the Boston Bruins and is currently on injured reserve. Tanev is expected to recover before the playoffs, and he’s embodied everything the Maple Leafs have asked for under Craig Berube’s supervision, and the team will need him to return to top form as an elite shot-blocker during the playoffs. A-
John Tavares: Tavares suffered a lower-body injury during a January practice and hasn’t looked completely the same since his return. He’s relying on superior hockey intelligence and spatial sense through the quarter, but his offence has waned at times, when Nylander isn’t creating chances. Tavares is looking to sign an extension with the Maple Leafs, and he’ll be needed for the stretch run. B+
Conor Timmins: Timmins has often struggled when paired with Benoit and it’s often due to his risk profile. He’s a confident offensive player, but he’ll make mistakes when pushing too aggressively up the ice. He’s a stop-gap No. 6 option for the Leafs at this point, and his usage will be certainly something to monitor in the fourth quarter. C
Joseph Woll: Woll excelled as the Leafs’ starting goaltender during Stolarz’s injury-related absence and stole a few games by himself. He’s saved 11.7 goals above expected via MoneyPuck in 32 games, and has formed one of the league’s elite tandems. It would be a bit cruel if Woll has to sit to begin the playoffs, but he’s been in terrific form and the Leafs wouldn’t be sitting in a prime playoff spot without him. A-