After exceeding expectations last season, the Toronto Maples Leafs look to continue their build into a Stanley Cup contender. In the 2016-17 season, the Maple Leafs went from being one of the worst teams in the NHL to returning to the playoffs. One of the reasons why they are an important team to monitor for fantasy purposes is their offenses. The Leafs scored 251 goals last season, which was the best number in their division and the fourth-best number in the Eastern Conference. That offense should get even better because they have so many fresh faces that are still gaining experience. The Leafs have some of the best young players in the NHL, many of whom should be drafted early this year in most fantasy leagues.
The Leafs finished with 40 wins and 95 points last season, a number they could improve on this season. That means more wins, game winning goals and better fantasy players. Here are the top Toronto Maple Leafs to own and the player to avoid in fantasy hockey this season.
Top Three Players To Own On The Toronto Maple Leafs
1. Auston Matthews
Scoring 40 goals as a rookie makes the NHL take notice and Auston Matthews has everyone, in both the NHL and fantasy world, on high alert. Matthews will likely not score 40 goals again last season, but he should see an increase in most other important categories such as assists, points and +/-, making him as good if not better this coming season. Matthews looks like a generational player and will be a first round pick in many fantasy leagues this season.
2. Mitchell Marner
As a rookie last season, Mitch Marner was sensational, leading all rookies in assists with 42 while contributing excellent numbers on special teams. The young right wing/center combo was a force on the power play racking up 21 points in 77 games. Marner should grow this season and if he remains on a line with James van Riemsdyk, he should continue to develop into one of the best young fantasy options in the National Hockey League.
3. Patrick Marleau
He may be one of the oldest players in the league now, but Marleau is still a dependable option in fantasy. Marleau may only have scored 27 goals and recorded 46 total points last year he was efficient, scoring on 14.2% of his shots and registering six game winning goals. Marleau will likely be paired with Marner this season, which should increase his scoring opportunities and help him push his goal-scoring potential into the low 30s.
One Fantasy Bust: Nazem Kadri
Nazem Kadri had a career season last year setting a career high in goals, points and games played. This seems about as high as he can reach as a mid-line center for the Toronto Maple Leafs. The problem is playing in Toronto brings a lot of attention, making Kadri a hot commodity in fantasy. We’re not necessarily down on Kadri, but he was just a much better investment last year when you had an opportunity to buy low. Now you’re going to have to pay a much higher price tag and the key is that he has to deliver. At best, he’ll perform up to what you paid for him; he’s not likely to exceed expectations like last year. And there is far more room for him to disappoint.
Avoid drafting him too early or deal with the disappointment of a player who, excluding his 32 goals last season, averages less than 20 goals a season over his NHL career. There is more downside than upside here given the price tag.
Goaltending Situation
The Toronto Maple Leafs goaltending fantasy situation is stable and worth taking in fantasy this season. Frederik Anderson should get the majority of the work between the pipes this season, making him highly valuable in fantasy. He finished last year 33-16-14 with a 2.67 GAA and a .918 save percentage.
The backups may be worth a spot start, but in general, Anderson is the only goaltender to focus on in Toronto. If Anderson can get better in overtime and the shoot out, he could finish as a top-10 goaltender this season.
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