Maple Leafs acknowledged as one of the most improved teams this summer
Photo credit: Darren Makowichuk/Postmedia
July 1st not only marked the beginning of free agency in the NHL but also saw the Toronto Maple Leafs securing a spot among the top ten most improved teams, all geared up for the 2024-25 campaign.
As the salary cap loosened post-COVID stagnation, NHL general managers opened their coffers, doling out contracts worth over a billion dollars on the opening day alone.
Throughout the spring months, speculation swirled around Mitch Marner's future with the Leafs. Contrary to expectations, Leafs' GM Brad Treliving opted to retain his star winger while making significant enhancements elsewhere in the roster. The most notable changes came on the defensive end, alongside securing a reliable backup goalie, which collectively realigned Toronto's trajectory for the upcoming season.
Dom Luszczyszyn of The Athletic placed the Leafs eighth in his assessment of off-season improvements across the league. His comments underscored a strategic pivot for the team, which he suggests might be just what they need for a deeper playoff push:
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"It's looking more and more likely that the Leafs are running it back. Will this time be different? Maybe!
What helps make that decision feel like the best path forward is seeing where all of the league's top contenders lie � at the bottom of this list. Almost every contender from last season looks demonstrably worse going into 2024-25. The Leafs? They look better, and that closes the gap between them and the league's best considerably. The Leafs' 2024 offseason has put the team back on track after last season's questionable summer.
That stems entirely from the Leafs turning Joel Edmundson and Ilya Lyubushkin into Chris Tanev and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. Those are comparatively strong upgrades that give Toronto one of its best blue lines during this era. Adding Anthony Stolarz, who was stellar last season, to replace Ilya Samsonov looks like a great move too.
The Leafs could still use a top-six winger to replace Tyler Bertuzzi, but were right to prioritize the back end. It could be what finally pushes the team toward a deep playoff run. This is a much stronger defensive group."
The departure of players like Tyler Bertuzzi, Joel Edmundson, and Ilya Samsonov paved the way for noteworthy additions such as Chris Tanev and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. These changes promise a robust defense, which has been a critical area of concern in past seasons. Moreover, with Anthony Stolarz joining as a goaltender, Toronto has reinforced its last line of defense, a move that might finally stabilize their postseason performances.
While the offensive line remains relatively unchanged, retaining the Core Four�John Tavares, Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and William Nylander�offers continuity. The Leafs also hint at potential shifts by integrating prospects like Easton Cowan or Fraser Minten, which could fill any emerging gaps.
Despite the familiarity of the Core Four, the fresh defensive setup suggests that Toronto's approach to the new season might just be what's needed to overcome their historical playoff hurdles. As the Leafs gear up for another run with a blend of seasoned leaders and new faces, the question remains: will this formula finally break their first-round curse?
Previously on MapleLeafsLatest
| POLL |
11 JUILLET | 74 ANSWERS Maple Leafs acknowledged as one of the most improved teams this summer What is your opinion on Dom's assessment of the Maple Leafs' off-season? |
| Yes, they improved vastly from last year | 35 | 47.3 % |
| No, the core should not remain intact again | 9 | 12.2 % |
| They're better, but not THAT much better | 30 | 40.5 % |
| LIST OF POLLS |
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