Because the Toronto Maple Leafs gear up for one more NHL season, there are a lot of key gamers and storylines to observe. Listed here are some fast insights into 4 gamers who may considerably affect the workforce’s efficiency this season: Joseph Woll, Anthony Stolarz, Mitch Marner, and Max Domi.
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Fast Hit One: Joseph Woll Is a Promising Goalie Duo with Anthony Stolarz
The Maple Leafs’ goalie tandem of Joseph Woll and Anthony Stolarz won’t have the pedigree of star netminders like Andrei Vasilevskiy, however they provide robust potential at a fraction of the fee. Final season, Woll earned reward for his technical abilities and ranked among the many high third of NHL goalies in “targets saved vs. anticipated.” In the meantime, regardless of restricted NHL publicity, Stolarz posted top-10 numbers in the identical class.
Each goalies include dangers—Woll has struggled with accidents, and Stolarz lacks expertise as a starter. Nonetheless, if they’ll ship league-average performances, Toronto may see a considerable enchancment within the internet. A greater save proportion may increase the Maple Leafs’ probabilities within the standings, particularly after a season the place goaltending was a priority.
Mitch Marner: Playoff Struggles and Contract Strain
Mitch Marner’s playoff struggles have change into irritating for Maple Leafs followers. Regardless of his plain expertise, Marner has not but delivered within the postseason, resulting in questions on his worth. His contract state of affairs looms over this season, probably distracting each the participant and the workforce if negotiations drag on.
Marner’s skillset makes him one in every of Toronto’s most essential game-breakers. Say what you need about his contract negotiations, however the Maple Leafs are higher with him on the roster. Nonetheless, followers and hockey pundits will watch carefully to see if Marner steps up when it issues most – and that’s the postseason. A brand new contract that balances truthful pay with a deal with the workforce’s future may restore his picture within the eyes of followers. Will he signal on for a good compensation? That’s an enormous query.
Max Domi: The place Does He Match with Maple Leafs?
Max Domi’s function on this workforce stays considerably of a thriller. Whereas he’s a flexible and succesful participant, his match inside Toronto’s lineup remains to be unclear. His skillset may work finest when paired with gamers who deal with the sport’s finer particulars—one thing he and William Nylander typically battle with. They’re unlikely to search out themselves as line companions.
Domi hasn’t had a lot time taking part in alongside high gamers like Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner. Nonetheless, when he did get an opportunity, the outcomes had been spectacular, albeit in a small pattern measurement. Domi appears to know his place: go the puck to the goal-scoring Matthews. Given Toronto’s ongoing want for offensive depth, discovering a correct function for Domi might be very important to unlocking his full potential on the workforce.
The Backside Line for the Maple Leafs This Season
With goaltending enhancements from Woll and Stolarz, the problem of Marner’s playoff efficiency and contract, and the puzzle of Domi’s match within the lineup, the Maple Leafs have loads of fascinating storylines heading into the 2024-25 season. Whereas questions stay, every participant named right here has the potential to form the workforce’s fortunes this yr.
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