Are the Toronto Maple Leafs Stanley Cup Favorites After Additions?

The Toronto Maple Leafs dipped into free agency and found some needed help in certain areas. The question is do these moves make the Maple Leafs automatic Stanley Cup favorites? At this point, the roster seems more playoff ready but do they have more work to do?

Toronto Maple Leafs trying to stack roster for playoff run

With additions to the roster there are some subtractions. Free agency has seen players come to the Maple Leafs organization but some have left for greener pastures. Leaving the organization are Noel Acciari (Pittsburgh Penguins), Michael Bunting (Carolina Hurricanes), Erik Gustafsson (New York Rangers), Justin Holl (Detroit Red WIngs), Alexander Kerfoot (Arizona Coyotes), Ryan O’Reilly (Nashville Predators), Luke Schenn  (Nashville Predators),  Radim Zohorna (Pittsburgh Penguins), Erik Kallgren (New Jersey Devils), and Victor Mete (Philadelphia FLyers).

Coming to the city of Toronto are forward Tyler Bertuzzi (one-year,  $5.5 million), forward Ryan Reaves (three-year, $4.35 million),  defenseman John Klingberg (one-year, $4.15 million), forward Max Domi (one-year, $3 million), and forward Dylan Gambrell (one-year, $775,000).

Bertuzzi brings a complete package. He can play a 200-foot game, score big goals, fight, and get under the opponents skin. He has shown he can put up some impressive numbers on an offensively starved Red Wings team. In the Maple Leafs offense, he could put up career highs in points. Bertuzzi can also be an asset on special teams as well, setting up in front of the net on the powerplay and use his defense on the penalty kill.

Reaves brings one element to the team and one element only. He is not known for offense but did have 15 points last season. He does play a physical game that the Maple Leafs have lacked in the past and will protect Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and John Tavares at all costs. He brings a heavyweight fighter feel to the team, one that could use that physical play during the playoffs.

Klingberg is an offensive defenseman that Toronto  could have used in the past also. He brings an offensive style that  matches the forwards style of play. He can quarterback on the power play and lead the offensive attack from his end, and can be useful in the transition game as well, Klingberg plays a solid defensive game but is known for his offense. Last season for the Anaheim Ducvks and Minnesota Wild, he combined for 33 points (10 goals and 23 assists) in 67 games. Klingerg also plays a feisty game, totaling 34 penalty minutes in those 67 games.

Domi comes to a place where his father, Tie Domi, was an icon. Domi plays the same kind of game that Bertuzzi plays and can be an important piece down the road and in the playoffs. Domi had 56 points (20 goals and 36 assists) in 80 combined games between the Dallas Stars and the Chicago Blackhawks. Could settle on the third line and second power play unit as a net front presence.

Gambrell is a depth guy who can be critical in a playoff run. Playing for the Ottawa Senators last season, he had four goals and six assists for 10 points in 60 games. He does not provide a ton of offense but his defensive game is excellent. A good penalty killer, he takes away a lot of ice with his speed and defensive awareness. Good, solid pickup for the Maple Leafs.

This team, as it is currently constructed, is better than  last season with the pickups. This should lead to a deeper playoff run but the big question now is the goaltending. With Ilya Samsonov an RFA, the goaltending duo next season looks like Matt Murray and Jospeh Woll unless a move is made or Samsonov is re-signed. If that gets solved, we could be looking at a Toronto Maple Leafs team that could go beyond the second round.