The Toronto Maple Leafs are coming off an historic regular season, which included career-highs by many players. That high means there is plenty of room to fall for several players who can’t keep up the pace. The superstars are young but there are also some veteran players on the roster that are up against the clock. Toronto is the perfect place for players to fall below their personal standards and reach the expectations of the team.
John TavaresJohn Tavares made history in 2009 as the first pick. After 12 seasons as a top NHL player, he is now 31 and shows signs of deterioration. The Mississauga boy from Ontario has spent more than 18 minutes on ice per year since his rookie year. He has got the attention of the opposition’s top blueliners and checking lines. The captain is not unfamiliar with the battles and the responsibilities that come with playing on blue ice. So it’s no wonder he is bound to slow down. A year ago, he sustained a frightening injury that left him paralysed from the head.
Toronto Maple Leafs Centre John Tavares screens Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy. (Photo by Gerry Angus/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images). Tavares’ slowdown isn’t as bad as you might think. In 274 regular season games, he has scored 274 points. This is even though he plays on the second team and has adjusted his game to be more balanced. The problem is that Tavares will likely slowdown over the next three seasons in Toronto.
Jake MuzzinJake Muzzin has played some monster minutes in his career, usually trying to shut down the opposition’s best forwards. He was one the most reliable blueliners for the Los Angeles Kings. Muzzin was a force during the Kings’ deep playoff runs, including a Stanley Cup win in 2014. The 33-year old has made a career out of slowing down competition but he is having trouble controlling his time.
Jake Muzzin, Toronto Maple Leafs (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)Muzzin only played 47 of Toronto’s 82 games last season, and he missed most of the playoffs the season before that with an injury. He was also a plus player during the 2021-22 season, his fourth consecutive 11-year career. He was a -6 even though he played for one of the top-scoring teams in league. He also had a lower average ice time than in the seven previous seasons. Muzzin’s regression has been clear since the 2020-21 season. It’s likely to get worse for Muzzin in 2022-23 and possibly move him out of the top 4 pairings.
Mark GiordanoMark Giordano is a career-besting figure. It’s incredible that at 38 years old, he is still a top-four blue liner that can hold his own against anyone. Connor McDavid, the former Calgary Flames captain had to face him for many years during the Battle of Alberta. But, the end of his playing days seems closer.
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The Seattle Kraken bought him in the expansion draft, and he was named the first franchise captain. Before being traded to Toronto, he recorded his worst ever plus/minus of -21 in 55 games. Although his plus/minus was higher, his time on the ice was cut by 2 minutes. Since 2008-09, when he was in his third NHL season, he was only allowed to be on the ice for twenty minutes per game. What is the limit of his old legs’ ability to outskate father-time? He’s under contract with Toronto until he is 40.
Mark Giordano, Toronto Maple Leafs. (Photo by Kevin Sousa/NHLI via Getty Images). Other names could also be included on this list such as Wayne Simmonds or Kyle Clifford. Two tough men whose bodies have paid for their physical roles throughout their careers. Both may find it difficult to see the ice and be effective as a fourth-line depth player.
Toronto’s medical staff and facilities are considered some of the best in the NHL. They should be, as they will be tested in 2022/23.
Kevin Armstrong, a journalist with over two decades of experience, is an award-winning journalist. He’s been rink side for World Juniors, Memorial Cups, Calder Cups and Stanley Cups. His earliest memories of hockey are common among Canadian children. Kevin spent hours watching every level of hockey in arenas across the country.
The post 3 Maple Leafs Candidates for Regression in 2022-2223 first appeared on Raw News.
