Fansided

5 reasons why the Toronto Maple Leafs can win the Stanley Cup

By Simon Vacca

TORONTO, ON - MARCH 25: Auston Matthews #34 and Mitch Marner #16 of the Toronto Maple Leafs take the ice before playing the Florida Panthers during the first period at the Scotiabank Arena on March 25, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - MARCH 25: Auston Matthews #34 and Mitch Marner #16 of the Toronto Maple Leafs take the ice before playing the Florida Panthers during the first period at the Scotiabank Arena on March 25, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – MARCH 25: Nikita Zaitsev #22, John Tavares #91, Zach Hyman #11, Auston Matthews #34, Mitch Marner #16, William Nylander #29, and Andreas Johnsson #18 of the Toronto Maple Leafs sit on the bench while playing the Florida Panthers during the first period at the Scotiabank Arena on March 25, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – MARCH 25: Nikita Zaitsev #22, John Tavares #91, Zach Hyman #11, Auston Matthews #34, Mitch Marner #16, William Nylander #29, and Andreas Johnsson #18 of the Toronto Maple Leafs sit on the bench while playing the Florida Panthers during the first period at the Scotiabank Arena on March 25, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images) /

4. The depth on offense

One thing the Buds have going for them is the fact that they boast one of the most depth-ridden rosters in the NHL.

The aforementioned Tavares, Matthews, Marner, Rielly and Andersen are the pillars of the club’s success, but the team’s offense-first mentality allows most — if not all — facets of its lineup to contribute to scoring on a recurring basis. A quick look at the Leafs’ top 10 points leaders illustrates proof of this reality:

  • Mitch Marner — 25 G, 65 A, 90 P (77 GP)
  • John Tavares — 45 G, 41 A, 86 P (77 GP)
  • Auston Matthews — 36 G, 35 A, 71 P (63 GP)
  • Morgan Rielly — 20 G, 50 A, 70 P (77 GP)
  • Kasperi Kapanen — 19 G, 24 A, 43 P (73 GP)
  • Andreas Johnsson — 20 G, 22 A, 42 P (70 GP)
  • Nazem Kadri — 16 G, 25 A, 41 P (69 GP)
  • Zach Hyman — 20 G, 18 A, 38 P (66 GP)
  • Patrick Marleau — 16 G, 21 A, 37 P (77 GP)
  • Jake Gardiner — 2 G, 27 A, 29 P (60 GP)

You’ll note that just four of the players listed above have appeared in all of this season’s matchups. In spite of wide-ranging absences, the other six skaters have continuously scored at a very productive rate.

(You’ve also probably realized that William Nylander — known for his infamous holdout — is absent from the overview. That said, his numbers are fairly impressive, as he’s tallied 26 points in 49 games, regardless of what was initially a slow start.)

Who, then, is the franchise’s most significant piece?

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