The Toronto Maple Leafs are the most talked about team in the NHL. They have a massive fan base that is desperate for playoff success. We are going to dive into the Toronto Maple Leafs season preview for the 2022-23 season and line projections.
This year is a make a break year for the Leafs. If they do not get past the first round of the playoffs, GM Kyle Dubas will be fired and big changes will be coming to the Leafs lineup, which could affect the Auston Matthews contract negotiations next summer.
Toronto Maple Leafs lineup tonight
Leafs Forwards
First line
Michael Bunting – Auston Matthews – Mitch Marner
Second line
Nick Robertson – John Tavares – William Nylander
Third line
Pierre Engvall – Calle Jarnkrok – Alex Kerfoot
Fourth line
Zach Aston-Reese – David Kampf – Nicolas Aube-Kubel
This season Nick Robertson cracks the Leafs lineup as a regular and will be on a scoring line with Tavares and Nylander. The only way Robertson is pushed out of the lineup is if a trade for Patrick Kane happens near the NHL trade deadline with Robertson likely traded as part of a package deal for Kane.
With injuries and trades the Toronto Maple Leafs lineup tonight will be changing throughout the year.
Leafs Defence
First pair
Morgan Rielly – TJ Brodie
Second pair
Jake Muzzin – Justin Holl
Third pair
Mark Giordano – Timothy Liljegren
Rasmus Sandin would likely be playing on the second pair defensive unit with Jake Muzzin, but since he is demanding a bigger payday then what was offered to Timothy Liljegren, Sandin will be sitting at home in Sweden.
Leaf Goalies
Matt Murray
Ilya Samsonov
Matt Murray is likely the starting goalie and if he can regain his form when he was with the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Leafs will be a very tough team to defeat with the offensive weapons they have and solid goaltending.
Samsonov will see about 30 games this coming season and provides a solid backup to Murray.
If the goalies perform above expectations, it will likely save Kyle Dubas’ job and get the Leafs past the first round.
Are the Toronto Maple Leafs a Stanley Cup contender?
Yes they are. They have one of the best forward units in the NHL, their defence is looking solid and if the goaltending can hold up, they are Stanley Cup favorites.
Most NHL betting sites have the Maple Leafs rated with the second best chance to win the Stanley Cup after the Colorado Avalanche.
Roman Josi on the Leafs Stanley Cup chances
Roman Josi was asked if he would pick one team to win the Stanley Cup this year who would it be? Josi picks the Leafs.
I think a lot of teams, like Colorado, kind of went through (what Toronto went through) in the playoffs. They always had really good teams and were favoured to win and they kind of went down in the playoffs. And I feel like Toronto has been through it a little bit. They’re such a talented team. If I had to pick one team, I’d pick them.
Roman Josi
Check out when is the Toronto Maple Leafs game tonight and Maple Leafs Salary Cap information for your viewing pleasure.
