New predictions

DAN CEARNS The Standard

The National Hockey League (NHL) training camps are open, and, with this being the last column before the start of the Toronto Maple Leafs’ 2024/2025 season, it’s time for another year of predictions.

Now for those who don’t know, I have a tradition, where every year I make predictions on such things as: how the team will fare, what players may make the team; and how I expect certain players will produce, by the end of the season.

Let me start off my predictions with a bold one about the goaltending situation. I think, newly signed goaltender, Anthony Stolarz will end up becoming the team’s new starting goaltender. While Joseph Woll has been the Leafs’ starting goalie, he’s faced some injury issues, throughout his career. Last season, Woll was limited to just 25 regular season games because of injuries. He’s had issues with injuries, going back to his days playing in the American Hockey League, as well. Stolarz is coming off a year where he helped the Florida Panthers win the Stanley Cup. Yet, Stolarz is older, at 30 years-old, and has more 'NHL games played experience' than Woll. This should help endear him to new head coach Craig Berube. He’s also coming off a year where he put up an impressive '2.03 goals against' average and a 'save percentage' of 0.925 in 27 games.

I also think this is going to be a good season for forward Nick Robertson. Robertson made headlines this summer, when he asked for a trade from the Leafs. However, he ended up signing a one year contract with the team later. With the departure of Tyler Bertuzzi, I see a possibility of Robertson getting more of a chance, to play with guys like Auston Matthews and John Tavares, on one of the team’s top two forward lines. Last season, Robertson had 14 goals, while averaging slightly under 11 and a half minutes per game. I think with improved ice time, he should be able to be a 20 to 25 goal scorer for this team, this season. He’ll be doubly motivated to produce, given he’s on a one year contract, and will be looking to earn a higher paying one at the end of this coming season.

With my third prediction, I think John Tavares is going to sign an extension with the team, at a lower annual average amount. Tavares came to Toronto to come home and play for his boyhood favourite team. He’s indicated, in past interviews, he wants to stay in Toronto, and I think he still has a role to play in his late 30s on the team. He is older and his production is slowing down, a bit, so his next contract won’t be the $11 million he signed with the team previously. Still, I think he's going to find the right dollar amount and finish his career in a city he loves.

Lastly, let’s go with a team prediction. I think this is the year the Leafs make a breakthrough in the playoffs, and make it, to at least the conference finals. They have a new, experienced head coach, in Craig Berube. They also have made some solid defence additions, such as Chris Tanev, Jani Hakanpaa and Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and have created, what I feel is, a better goaltending tandem than they had last season.

As always, if any of these don’t come to pass, feel free to call me on it. I’m looking forward to seeing where this season takes the Leafs.