John Tavares: While his production dipped slightly in the playoffs mostly due to playing against and nearly shutting down one of the best lines in hockey, JT was everything Leafs fans were hoping for and then some this season finishing fourth in NHL scoring with 47 goals and having one of the best seasons an NHL free agent has had with their new team in quite some time, this deal looks fine for the Leafs despite the first round loss
Regular season grade: A
Playoff grade: A
Mitch Marner: After a 94 point season and helping to shut down one of the best lines in the playoffs the only question for Mitch is how much money he will make, to which the answer seems to be a lot, now that the Leafs season is over we can look forward to two agonizing months of #MarnerWatch (yay!) Some concern that the Leafs may not be able to sign him or that he will be offersheeted, but Mitch grew up a Leaf fan and seems to like playing in Toronto and I believe Dubas and co. will move heaven and earth to get Mitch back in blue and white next season.
Regular season grade: A
Playoff grade: A
Zach Hyman: The workhorse of the Leafs first line, opinions on Hyman have changed quickly and with a 20 goal season Hyman has proven to his detractors that he does belong on the first line, a good soldier, a hard worker and a children's author how can you not love this guy?
Regular season grade: A
Playoff grade: B+
Auston Matthews: Matthews followed up a career high in the regular season (37G 36A) with what would easily be described as one of the best playoff performances in his young career(5G 1A) it's safe to say that Matthews has put the narritive that he doesn't perform in the playoffs to bed, with his new contract kicking in next season the expectations and pressure to perform will increase significantly, here's hoping Matthews can stay healthy and continue to rise to the challenge next season.
Regular season grade: B+
Playoff grade: A
Andreas Johnsson: (Another key RFA for the Leafs) After being called up late in the 17-18 season Johnsson proved that he was here to stay in 2019 notching 20G and 23A for a total of 43 points in 73 games, a bit of a dip in the playoffs 1G and 3A, but much like Matthews Johnsson is a young player still adapting to the playoffs, the chemistry he has developed with Matthews should make them fun to watch next season
Regular season grade: B
Playoff grade: B
Kasperi Kapanen: (The last of the Leafs RFA group this season) A solid regular season that at times had some fans calling for Nylander to be traded during his holdout the finnish speedster closed out the regular season with 20G 24A for 44 points in 78 games, with the increased expectations however Kappy had what felt like an underwhelming postseason putting up just 2 points in 7 games even drawing the ire of some fans at times for his rushes that would often end in a turn over or weak shot at the net. Another young leaf who is still trying to adapt to playoff hockey hopefully he is able to come back with another strong regular season next year.
Regular season grade: B
Playoff grade: D
Nazem Kadri: After what was to put it gently an underwhelming performance from the polarizing leaf centre in the regular season(16G and 28A for 44 points in 73 games) there was hope that Kadri could be a big factor for the leafs in the playoffs and get some redemption on the Bruins after being suspended for 3 games in last years series, after what could be described as a solid game one where kadri had an assist and was one of the leafs most effective physical forwards, in game 2 Kadri was the target of Bruins forward Jake DeBrusk on several questionable plays that weren't deemed to be penalties by the officials, after scoring a goal late in the third to make it 3-1, on the next shift Kadri saw DeBrusk hit teammate Patrick Marleau from behind into the curved glass, while Marleau wasn't injured on the play Kadri lost it and crosschcked DeBrusk in the face/neck earning himself a 5 minute major which cost his team the game, and also a suspension for the rest of the series which would ultimately go on to cost his team the series.
Regular season grade: D
Playoff grade: F
Patrick Maeau: At 39 time seems to have finally caught up with the ageless wonder, after seeing his regular season production fall off some(16G 21A for 37 points in 82 games) fans were hoping to see a reguvination of Marleau in the playoffs it was not meant to be however as Marleau looked slow and was largely ineffective in the playoffs, with Marleau entering the final year of a three year deal that will see him paid $6.25 million in a season where the Leafs will need every penny of cap space they can get it will be interesting to see if Marleau will be back next season or if the Leafs will convince him to retire or take a trade to another contender that will give him one last shot at the cup he so desperately wants.
Regular season grade: D
Playoff grade: D
William Nylander: A punching bag for some leafs fans after holding out until the last possible second and deemed lazy and heartless by several Canadian hockey media pundits, 2018 could not be considered a good year by any stretch for William Nylander, a less than stellar start after returning from his holdout saw Nylander quickly demoted to the third line from his usual spot on the right side next to Matthews, after finally finding his game late in the season there was hope that it would continue into the playoffs, after a 2 points the first two games Nylander seemed to be on the road to redeeming himself, he was then thrust into the third line centre role after Kadri's suspension, centering a line of Marleau and Brown certainly didn't do any favors for Nylander who's production dropped off significantly after game 2, I believe we will see a different Nylander in October.
Regular season grade: D
Playoff grade: C
Frederik Gauthier: One of the few consistent members of the rotating cast of characters that was the Leafs fourth line this season the 6'5 center was reamed by some fans early on for his soft play and less than stellar skating abilities, as the year went on however his skating seemed to improve and the fourth line turned out to be one of the best lines in the playoffs for Toronto, the fourth line center position has been up in the air for the leafs in past seasons but they seem to have finally found their guy in goat.
Regular season grade: C
Playoff grade: B
Tyler Ennis: The low risk bet that paid off in spades for the Leafs, Ennis came to the leafs in the offseason hoping to revitalize his career after being bought out by Minnisota in the offseason, Ennis played well in the first half of the season only to break his foot blocking a shot before Christmas, Ennis would eventually return only to find his spot taken by Trevor Moore, not getting in many many games in the second half Ennis would be called upon in the playoffs after Kadri's suspension and he stepped up when the team needed him, a guy I would love to see stick around the cap will be an issue for the leafs here but if its mutual than it could work for both player and team.
Regular season grade: C
Playoff grade: B
Trevor Moore: A small, speedy, young forward who won the hearts of fans and coach alike with his skilled gritty play, Moore is a guy that I hope to see challenge for a spot higher up in the lineup next season, at 750k this has the potential to be one of the best value contracts in the league next season, More Moore please
Regular season grade: B
Playoff grade: B
Going to cut it off here for now, thanks for reading and look for tomorrows grades for the Leafs coaches, and defensemen
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