NHL Preview 2024-25 119 SportsForecaster.com

Forwards

Connor Dewar [W/C]

  • Age: 25
  • Ht: 5-10
  • Wt: 192
'23-24 GP G A P +/- PIM P/GP
Min/Tor 74 11 8 19 -8 28 0.26
Career 265 29 33 62 -21 123 0.23
Forecast 78 7 9 16 - - 0.21

He is a smallish (5'10'', 183 pounds) depth forward who forechecks well (123 hits in '23-24) and makes life tough for opposing defensemen; he can wear them down with his physical approach. Penalty killing is a major part of Dewar's game. He provides some goals, but probably not enough to be more than a fourth-line forward in the NHL.

Max Domi [W/C]

  • Age: 29
  • Ht: 5-10
  • Wt: 209
'23-24 GP G A P +/- PIM P/GP
Tor 80 9 38 47 10 118 0.59
Career 762 141 320 461 -14 722 0.60
Forecast 81 13 30 43 - - 0.53

The son of former NHL tough guy Tie Domi puts up way more points than his dad; he brings a combination of energy and secondary offense. He was much more productive in the final third of 2023-24 (22 points in his last 28 games), after struggling for the first four months. His plus/minus rating (+10) was tied for his best since '18-19.

Pontus Holmberg [W/C]

  • Age: 25
  • Ht: 6-0
  • Wt: 201
'23-24 GP G A P +/- PIM P/GP
Tor 54 7 10 17 11 18 0.31
Career 180 20 35 55 19 73 0.31
Forecast 71 10 13 23 - - 0.32

The versatile Swede has decent skills and can push the puck up the ice with some pace off the rush. He spends most of his time in a bottom-six forward role but has improved offensively and gotten a few auditions higher up the lineup. He is defensively responsible (+11 last season) and will take a hit to make a play while a man short.

Calle Jarnkrok [RW/LW]

  • Age: 33
  • Ht: 6-0
  • Wt: 191
'23-24 GP G A P +/- PIM P/GP
Tor 52 10 11 21 16 18 0.40
Career 736 141 171 312 64 159 0.42
Forecast 76 12 15 27 - - 0.36

Hand injuries cost Jarnkrok 30 games last season. Not surprisingly, his offensive numbers dropped sharply after his 20-goal performance in '22-23. He plays with good pace, is usable in all situations and can contribute some offense as a bottom-six forward. The 33-year-old Swede is also quite responsible defensively (+16 last season).

David Kampf [C]

  • Age: 29
  • Ht: 6-2
  • Wt: 188
'23-24 GP G A P +/- PIM P/GP
Tor 78 8 11 19 -4 18 0.24
Career 545 48 95 143 -18 116 0.26
Forecast 82 6 14 20 - - 0.24

The Czech plays largely in a fourth-line center role. Kampf saw his minutes reduced last campaign as his offense declined. He averaged more ice time on the penalty kill (2:27 SH TOI/GP) than any other Toronto forward, but was rarely on the power play. Kampf was a minus player (–4) for the first time in his three seasons with Toronto.

Matthew Knies [LW]

  • Age: 21
  • Ht: 6-3
  • Wt: 227
'23-24 GP G A P +/- PIM P/GP
Tor 80 15 20 35 9 45 0.44
Career 186 51 71 122 20 98 0.66
Forecast 80 21 28 49 - - 0.61

As a rookie power forward, Knies made the most of his limited minutes in 2023-24 (13:41 TOI/GP). He played a good two-way game and produced despite limited power-play time. He plays a heavy style, competes hard and scores timely goals. Knies was third on Toronto with 169 hits; he offers physical support for lighter skilled linemates.

Mitch Marner [LW/RW]

  • Age: 27
  • Ht: 6-0
  • Wt: 180
'23-24 GP G A P +/- PIM P/GP
Tor 69 26 59 85 21 18 1.23
Career 685 226 542 768 135 204 1.12
Forecast 81 34 66 100 - - 1.23

An elite talent, Marner has averaged more than a point per game in each of the last six campaigns. He has great vision, can spin off checks and make plays in small spaces, and is terrific defensively. However, he is much more comfortable making plays on the perimeter than driving the net, and he has been inconsistent in the playoffs.

Auston Matthews [C]

  • Age: 27
  • Ht: 6-3
  • Wt: 217
'23-24 GP G A P +/- PIM P/GP
Tor 81 69 38 107 31 20 1.32
Career 652 412 334 746 162 144 1.14
Forecast 79 62 40 102 - - 1.29

There are few players more dangerous with the puck on his stick than Matthews; he has become the league's most prolific goal scorer. Moreover, his all-around game also continues to improve. He had a plus-31 rating for the second straight season in '23-24, was 53.5 percent on draws and blocked 93 shots; he is more than just a shooter.

Bobby McMann [RW/LW]

  • Age: 28
  • Ht: 6-2
  • Wt: 215
'23-24 GP G A P +/- PIM P/GP
Tor 56 15 9 24 13 52 0.43
Career 168 43 30 73 24 96 0.43
Forecast 70 16 16 32 - - 0.46

Last campaign, the 28-year-old proved that persistence pays off. He finally earned a regular role with the Maple Leafs after four full seasons at Colgate University and parts of four more in the minors. McMann is much more of a shooter than a playmaker, but he competes well along the boards and is a solid hitter (117 hits in '23-24).

William Nylander [RW/LW]

  • Age: 28
  • Ht: 6-0
  • Wt: 202
'23-24 GP G A P +/- PIM P/GP
Tor 82 40 58 98 1 24 1.20
Career 709 273 371 644 41 196 0.91
Forecast 82 42 53 95 - - 1.16

The stylish Swede is a streaky but dynamic offensive force. He has notched back-to-back 40-goal campaigns and came up two points short of 100 in 2023-24, then scored three goals in four playoff games. His consistency and defensive play could use some more work, but at his best he is one of the NHL's most dynamic offensive performers.

Ryan Reaves [RW]

  • Age: 37
  • Ht: 6-2
  • Wt: 225
'23-24 GP G A P +/- PIM P/GP
Tor 49 4 2 6 -13 49 0.12
Career 936 65 74 139 -57 1119 0.15
Forecast 69 2 3 5 - - 0.07

At 37, Reaves is a physical depth forward who knows his role to a T. He played just 49 games and averaged only 8:07 of ice time with the Maple Leafs last season. His 165 hits in those limited minutes were impressive, and he has always been willing to stand up for his teammates. However, Reaves' offensive skills are extremely limited.

John Tavares [C]

  • Age: 34
  • Ht: 6-1
  • Wt: 211
'23-24 GP G A P +/- PIM P/GP
Tor 80 29 36 65 2 30 0.81
Career 1212 507 636 1143 -20 533 0.94
Forecast 82 25 35 60 - - 0.73

The 34-year-old Tavares was never an elite skater and appears to have lost a step; he is still a fine player but not what he was a few years ago. He is still dangerous down low, where he uses his size and strength to get position on opponents for rebounds and tips. Tavares is also among the NHL's best on face-offs (59.3% in 2023-24).

Defensemen

Goaltenders

Simon Benoit

  • Age: 26
  • Ht: 6-4
  • Wt: 211
'23-24 GP G A P +/- PIM P/GP
Tor 64 1 4 5 7 56 0.08
Career 305 6 27 33 -18 216 0.11
Forecast 74 1 8 9 - - 0.12

The 26-year-old started 2023-24 in the minors but quickly earned a regular role as a big, strong shutdown defenseman. He led the Leafs in hits (246) and also blocked 102 shots. He matched up well against middle-six forwards and became a key part of the penalty kill. His scoring was almost nonexistent; he is not relied on for offense.

Oliver Ekman-Larsson

  • Age: 33
  • Ht: 6-2
  • Wt: 192
'23-24 GP G A P +/- PIM P/GP
Fla 80 9 23 32 10 76 0.40
Career 1087 152 368 520 -98 706 0.48
Forecast 81 5 25 30 - - 0.37

A change of scenery, better health and reduced ice time were just what Ekman-Larsson needed to spruce up his game. He looked more confident in all three zones, played on both special teams and had his best offensive numbers since '18-19–as well as a career-high plus-10. The 33-year-old is effective anywhere in the defensive rotation.

Timothy Liljegren

  • Age: 25
  • Ht: 6-0
  • Wt: 198
'23-24 GP G A P +/- PIM P/GP
Tor 55 3 20 23 3 16 0.42
Career 288 20 66 86 5 116 0.30
Forecast 72 4 22 26 - - 0.36

The 2017 first-round pick matched his career high in points last campaign, despite missing 27 games with injuries. He is a good skater who can generate some offense and create on the power play, but he does not have the upside of a huge point producer. Liljegren has struggled in some high-leverage situations and also in the playoffs.

Jake McCabe

  • Age: 31
  • Ht: 6-1
  • Wt: 212
'23-24 GP G A P +/- PIM P/GP
Tor 73 8 20 28 20 56 0.38
Career 671 38 148 186 20 411 0.28
Forecast 75 4 17 21 - - 0.28

His game took an upward turn in his first full year in Toronto; he ended with career highs in goals (8), points (28) and plus/minus rating (+20) in 2023-24. He scored his first power-play goal since 2017-18 and was second on the team in hits (219). He competes, can play against top-six forwards, is physical and handles the puck well.

Morgan Rielly

  • Age: 30
  • Ht: 6-1
  • Wt: 225
'23-24 GP G A P +/- PIM P/GP
Tor 72 7 51 58 7 27 0.81
Career 900 91 443 534 -24 256 0.59
Forecast 77 9 43 52 - - 0.68

Toronto's long-tenured D-man remains much more of a playmaker and distributor than a shooter, especially when quarterbacking the power play. Rielly plays huge minutes (23:44 TOI/GP in 2023-24), almost to the point of looking worn down late in the campaign and in the playoffs. He competes hard but can have occasional defensive lapses.

Chris Tanev

  • Age: 34
  • Ht: 6-3
  • Wt: 199
'23-24 GP G A P +/- PIM P/GP
Cgy/Dal 75 2 17 19 22 24 0.25
Career 875 36 174 210 158 218 0.24
Forecast 69 1 16 17 - - 0.25

The veteran defensive D-man has not seen an opponent's shot that he will not try to get in front of: he blocked 207 last campaign. Tanev will sacrifice his body by getting in shooting lanes and fronting opponents. Tanev is not overly physical and generates little offense, but he is comfortable and effective opposing top-six forwards.

Anthony Stolarz

  • Age: 30
  • Ht: 6-6
  • Wt: 243
'23-24 GP W L OT SO GAA Sv%
Fla 27 16 7 2 2 2.03 0.925
Career 155 70 44 13 12 2.63 0.914
Forecast 35 19 - - 1 2.92 0.907

There is a case to be made that Stolarz was the best backup goaltender in the NHL in '23-24. He registered career highs in starts, wins and goals-against average, turning in a solid effort almost every time out. At 6'6'', 243 pounds, Stolarz takes up a lot of the net, plays with poise, absorbs pucks and is hard to beat from distance.

Joseph Woll

  • Age: 26
  • Ht: 6-3
  • Wt: 206
'23-24 GP W L OT SO GAA Sv%
Tor 25 12 11 1 0 2.94 0.907
Career 86 52 30 3 2 2.72 0.911
Forecast 39 23 - - 2 2.89 0.91

The injury bug keeps biting Woll, who was in line to become Toronto's starter in 2023-24 before a high ankle sprain at midseason shut him down for multiple weeks. Another injury kept him from playing in Game 7 of round 1 of the playoffs. Woll plays big in his net, tracks pucks well and stays composed in the crease–when he is healthy.