Breaking: The Only Forward the Toronto Maple Leafs Should Be Signing

The Toronto Maple Leafs have several promising young players who have proven their readiness for increased roles next season. Nicholas Robertson, Bobby McMann, Matthew Knies, and Pontus Holmberg have all demonstrated their potential and are poised to make a significant impact.

Additionally, Easton Cowen, the Maple Leafs’ 2023 first-round draft pick, has been impressive in the Ontario Hockey League, winning both the Most Outstanding Player and Most Valuable Player awards in the OHL and OHL Playoffs, respectively.

Despite the team’s significant financial commitments to their core players, the Maple Leafs’ youth will undoubtedly play a crucial role in the team’s success next season. However, the offseason has been dominated by speculation surrounding Mitch Marner’s potential trade and the costs of re-signing Max Domi and Tyler Bertuzzi.

It is essential for the Maple Leafs to prioritize re-signing key restricted free agents like Timothy Liljegren and Nicholas Robertson, as their contributions are vital to the team’s future success.

The sole forward the Toronto Maple Leafs should focus on signing.

While the return of Domi and Bertuzzi would be a positive development, it is crucial to weigh the financial considerations. The costs associated with their contracts may not align with their on-ice contributions, especially if the Maple Leafs effectively address their defensive shortcomings. However, this should not be cause for alarm. Younger and more cost-effective players have the potential to match or even surpass the productivity of Domi and Bertuzzi, offering a prudent financial strategy for the team.

Several Maple Leafs players have the capability to step into the roles vacated by Bertuzzi and Domi in the top six forwards. Nicholas Robertson’s progress last season is a significant factor in the confidence that the Leafs can manage without Domi or Bertuzzi. Robertson emerged as a key contributor, ranking high in goals and points per 60 minutes at five-on-five play. His goal-scoring efficiency placed him among the top players in the NHL in this metric.

Robertson’s impact extended beyond scoring, as he also excelled defensively, showcasing his ability to create turnovers. Comparatively, Robertson outperformed Bertuzzi in various statistical categories and matched or exceeded Domi in most areas, except for points per 60 minutes, where Domi benefited from playing alongside elite scorer Auston Matthews.

Despite Robertson’s impressive performance, his next contract is expected to be more cost-effective compared to what Domi and Bertuzzi might command. This financial flexibility would allow the Maple Leafs to allocate resources towards re-signing other key players like Liljegren, securing a goaltender to complement Woll, and bolstering the defensive lineup with two additional defensemen.