The Toronto Maple Leafs recently left the NHL’s awards ceremony in Nashville empty-handed, but next season could be a very different story. It is rumored that the jackpots will be in Vegas in 2024 and there are a few Leafs who can run for some hardware.
These three maple leaves have a chance to win first prize in a variety of categories:
Austin Mathews
Possible prizes: Hart, Rocket Richard, Silk
While the Art Ross Trophy for the NHL’s leading point scorer won’t go anywhere but the mantle of Conor McDavid for the foreseeable future, next season Matthews could be poised to win two major awards and vie for third place.
Surprisingly Matthews finished tied for 14th in league goalscoring last season. Some inconsistent stretches, some concerns about his wrist and a number of different teammates, the 2022-23 season is one Matthews wants to learn from. He has shown in the past that he can sniff out 70 goals and with a number of things coming his way next fall, a solid start could push his season forward.
If Matthews were to be in on Hart’s conversation, he’d probably score a million goals, so the Rocket Richard award as top scorer goes hand in hand. Another season under Sheldon Cave, a solid game with a fresh look and the possibility of Matthew Kniss on his left wing all year could go a long way for the veteran center.
Selke is the long shot here, there’s no doubt about that. Matthews finished well on the ballot this past season, and in 2023-24, he could take the next step. His game is still developing from his 200-foot sense while his ability to hold on to checks and win 50/50 pucks is on display from day one. If Matthews sticks to standing on the right side of the puck and minimizes lapses in the defensive zone, where he will sometimes be caught wondering, it will do wonders in his full game. There is no doubt that he owns the game and is a dominant player on both ends of the ice. If he can raise his game to another level, look for Matthews to be in the conversation next season for three major awards.
Mitch Marner
Possible prizes: Selke
The good news for Marner here is the fact that Boston Bruins center Patrice Bergeron may be retiring. If so, the chances of bringing home some hardware have increased.
Marner finished a distant third in the Selke voting two weeks ago, as New Jersey Devils’ Niko Hischer burst onto the scene from a defensive standpoint. Marner will be tough as Heischer will continue to be in the mix, but the fact can’t be denied with a solid and consistent season from the Maple Leafs winger Selke may be the best.
Marner is a wizard on the ice and all because of how well he sees the game and how fast his hockey IQ is at predicting the next move. The Leafs are lucky to have him and are smart to play him in all situations. He’s a great penalty killer, gets down the lanes well and for a smaller forward he wins many puck fights he really shouldn’t.
Marner led the league with 104 points and could be the same in 2023-24. He knows what it takes to win every night and the Leafs winger isn’t afraid to put it all on the line for a win.
Next season, look for Marner to once again be in the talk about the best defensive forward. He’s at a disadvantage playing on the wing but there’s no reason he can’t outsmart Hescher’s frog hopping in and fetching some hardware from the Vegas Strip.
Matthew Knes
Possible prize: Calder
Knies exceeded expectations and then some last season and in 2023-24, look for the big stuff from the 20-year-old. He’s expected to be among the Leafs’ top six and if he’s able to stay there all season, Conor Bedard and the rest of the rookie class could have big trouble on their hands.
Knies has all the tools and his work ethic is off the charts. He’s been training hard in Arizona with Auston Matthews, among others, and is looking for Knes to fly next season. He’s proven in his short 10-game career so far that he’s strong enough, fast, and skilled enough to play on the show, now he just needs to learn the game and learn from his experiences.
The Maple Leafs rookie will be in contention for the Calder Award for top rookie in the league. He’s too skilled to stand a chance. Knies will play 15-18 minutes next season and 25-30 goals could be in the cards. With his ability to see ice, he can also provide assistance in groups. His last three seasons he played at many levels and gave more assists than goals. Playing alongside his mentor and fellow Arizona native, the apples would continue to pile up on the scoresheet. Fully expect to see Knies in the running as the best first-year player in the league.
Some honorable mention would be head coach Sheldon Keefe for some of Jack Adams’ votes as the best coach in the league. With all the changes in Toronto, if the Leafs get off to a great start and manage to stay atop the Eastern Conference, Keefe could definitely be in the conversation.
Ilya Samsonov will be among the long shots to vote Vezina for the Vezina Trophy and Morgan Riley to vote for Norris. If both players finish in the top 10, it will likely be an above average season for the Maple Leafs duo. While Marner has been the only recent NHL recipient, look for Matthews and Knies to join talks next season.