Maple Leafs: Five players to keep an eye on heading into the new season
By Jim Lynch
4. Ilya Samsonov
Samsonov had a strong first season with the Toronto Maple Leafs posting a .919 save percentage, but with how much of a problem goaltending was last season for the team till the very end of the playoffs, fans should still keep an eye on Samsonov. He very well could make or break the season considering the next best option in net is Joseph Woll who has only played in 11 games in his career.
5. John Klingberg
The last player to keep an eye on was one of the team’s last minute additions in John Klingberg. Klingberg is not that far removed from trying to get paid big after his time with the Dallas Stars. But after a season to forget with the Anaheim Ducks he has signed a one year deal with the Leafs.
Klingberg might not be a make or break player for the 2023-24 season, but if someone gets injured and Klingberg has to step into a bigger role with the team, he is someone to keep an eye on.
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Although it has been a while since he was a real elite player in the NHL. His best season was in 2017-18 when he put up 67 points for the Dallas Stars. It does not seem likely that he is surpassing that this upcoming season.
Hockey is right around the corner! Only a little over a month away before the Leafs kick off their season on October 11 against the Montreal Canadiens!