3 predictions for the Maple Leafs in 2025 involving one forward, one defenseman and one goalie

Taking a big step forward last year, Bobby McMann has solidified himself as a regular in the Maple Leafs lineup. But for the former Bonnyville Pontiac, he looks poised to take over alongside superstar Auston Matthews and fellow college standout Matthew Knies. Although he only potted 15 goals last season, it's a far cry from how he started out his professional career. Incredibly capable of putting the puck in the net (having scored 47 goals in 97 games for the Marlies throughout the years) he has a chance to blossom into a perennial 20-goal scorer.

Playing alongside Matthews will definitely help, and with the uncertainty of Mitch Marner's status; is he as motivated to play for the team, or more for a big paycheck at the end of the day? If McMann can prove that he is here for the team and not the dollars, he could be a mainstay for the foreseeable future.

I know this sounds crazy but hear me out. While he isn't the offensive juggernaut he once was in Arizona, OEL can still contribute mightily to the offense, especially with the man advantage. Fresh off a Stanley Cup win, and a solid 32 point seasons; Ekman-Larsson looks to add that veteran presence to the Maple Leafs back end.

Oliver Ekman-Larsson has always been an elite powerplay producer and often was called upon to piggyback the entire PP whilst on the ice. Throughout his time split between Arizona, Vancouver and Florida, Ekman-Larsson has scored 49 goals on the powerplay in the last decade; substantial considering he scored a total of 127 goals throughout those 10 years and for having over one-third of your goals be on the powerplay; there's no doubt he knows what he's doing.

If he can form chemistry with the likes of Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and Matthew Knies; there's no telling how many points OEL can rack up this season.

This one hurts. As much as I love the fact that Joseph Woll finally feels like we have our goaltender of the future (and first homegrown talent since Felix Potvin), there are still so many question marks. Yes, he had a fantastic playoff run with Toronto and kept them in the series, but he was slightly above average in the regular season. Sure, it could have been Toronto's incessant reliance on Ilya Samsonov, but Woll was solid; not elite.

Fast forward to 2024-2025 and Woll has been marked as the #1 netminder for the Maple Leafs. His talent is undeniable, but could there be regression? In small amounts he's been electric, but can he shoulder the weight of 30-35 games while maintaining that elite production?

I don't think so. It's not for discrediting Woll at all; it's just the numbers game. When Anthony Stolarz signed in Toronto, the Maple Leafs acquired the premier backup in the league; fresh off a Stanley Cup win, and hungry to win another. He's got the proven track record; and if Woll were to struggle early on, it could lead to Stolarz taking over.

This may be a make or break year for him; given the goaltending depth waiting in the wings, eager to get their chance to become the next Joseph Woll.

Source: HockeyDB
Bobby McMann Statistics