Eleven Toronto Maple Leafs players or prospects who could have breakout seasons

With most of the offseason’s action already in the rearview, a clearer shape of the league is coming into focus. This much is true for the Toronto Maple Leafs, who still harbour ambitions of adding a top-six forward. Questions about whether the team is better than last season will remain speculative, haunting a team that looks to reach higher than ever before.

There is something to say about the Leafs change of style under GM Brad Treliving and coach Craig Berube, about less talent and more functionality. Still, a big part of the Leafs hopes relies on players on their team improving. Let’s take a look at the Leafs system to see who might be more impactful for the Leafs this season than they were last year.

Knies

Although many would consider Matthew Knies a player who broke out last season, there might still be another level to his game. Naturally, growing confidence in his abilities and growing chemistry with Auston Matthews will help. Beyond that, there is certainly some upside to his production, scoring only five power play goals last season. It is important to acknowledge that Knies might not be able to replicate his 19.1% shooting percentage from last season.

In all, he will have a good chance at breaking his career high of 29 goals, set last season. Entering his age-23 season, Knies has taken strides each season with the team. That trend will not continue forever, but entering the season as an entrenched member of the top power play unit, the best is still ahead for Knies.

His power game is of great value to the Leafs, and with a new long-term deal in place, Knies should be a staple of the Leafs’ top-six until his contract expires in 2031. The Leafs might desire another winger of his style to truly complete their forward group. Given his growing reputation as a leader on the team, Knies has it in him to push for all-star nominations down the road, and perhaps even a spot on the American Olympic team. Team USA has a wealth of forward depth, so this season’s Olympics might be too soon.

Maccelli

After a tough 2024–25, hopes for Matias Maccelli are set at replicating his first two seasons in the NHL. Entering the final year of his deal, Maccelli will be motivated to recapture a regular spot in the top-nine forward group. His best seasons came in a defensive role, a checking third line alongside a power winger and a big, two-way centre. Fortunately for Maccelli, the Leafs have a great chance to replicate that dynamic alongside fellow newcomers Dakota Joshua and Nic Roy.

Still, at 24 years old, Maccelli has before him a glorious opportunity to strive beyond that. The spot left behind by Mitch Marner on Matthews’ wing is expected to be filled by Max Domi, but his grasp is far from absolute. In all likelihood, Maccelli will get a chance to play on Matthews’ line, where his production might skyrocket.

Cowan

Perhaps one of the biggest X-factors for the Leafs is their top prospect, Easton Cowan. After a commanding OHL MVP performance in 2023–24, Cowan’s 2024–25 was more muted. Cowan was still a big factor for a great London Knights team, but his performances at the World Juniors and in Leafs training camp were less tantalizing. At worst, Cowan will be graduating to a key role with the Toronto Marlies, where a half-point per game rookie season would be a nice step.

The upside, however, is much higher. Cowan might have the skill and ability to push both Domi and Maccelli for icetime in the long run. His playmaking and puck skills are crafty, but it will be a competitive edge that truly differentiates Cowan. As such, a dream scenario would be that Cowan is too good to deny a top-nine forward spot to.

In all likelihood, it will be a tall task for Cowan to win such an important job right away. There will be plenty of fanfare in training camp, and the Leafs might give him a look in an opening-night spot. Injuries will happen, but the Leafs might find it beneficial for Cowan to get a glimpse in a handful of real NHL games. Alternatively, Cowan might be slow-played.

It would be more decisive for the Leafs to make Cowan push his way up the depth chart, and after multiple seasons of dominating the OHL, the AHL might yet prove a worthy challenge for him to prove himself. This would hardly be an indictment of Cowan’s play, and perhaps a strong opening half to the AHL season might position him for a midseason call-up.

Benoit

At 26 years old, some fans might roll their eyes at the thought of Simon Benoit improving. Still, Benoit has continually improved over his time with the Leafs, even showing some raised confidence with the puck towards the end of last season. For a large, physical defenceman like Benoit, a little bit of on-puck contributions can go a long way. His passing might never reach the level of Chris Tanev, but Benoit showed some ability to skate with the puck.

At times, fans might have even questioned why Benoit was in the lineup last season, but the coaching staff was rewarded for their commitment to him. The five other Leafs regulars on the blueline are of high quality, but Benoit might be able to close the gap. The Leafs’ pairings are fairly balanced, each with its own strengths.

Ahead of Benoit’s third pairing with Oliver Ekman-Larsson are the defensive duo of Jake McCabe and Chris Tanev, as well as a pairing with more of an offensive lean with Morgan Rielly and Brandon Carlo. A step forward for Benoit might mean easing the load placed on the Rielly and Carlo pairing. It is likely that Benoit will always require a partner more adept with the puck, but the Leafs defence group can be elevated by individual improvement from him.

Hildeby and Akhtyamov

The Leafs should be comfortable with a strong tandem of Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll. Both sport lengthy injury histories, and unfortunately it is likely that one or both miss time with injury next season. Fortunately, the Leafs have two solid prospects who will seemingly continue their upward trajectory to turn to.

Dennis Hildeby got into more games than expected last season. While there were some tough moments, the fact that Hildeby was able to manage any games over Matt Murray was ahead of schedule. Perhaps a regular NHL role will remain elusive, but the truth is that fans should be more confident about Hildeby starting some games again this coming season. Hildeby has a ton of positive traits, but has looked scattered and had issues tracking that keep some unsure of his upside.

Akhtyamov, meanwhile, is the same age as Hildeby, and had similar results in the AHL last season. Some prefer the optics of his game over Hildeby’s, but both have proven enough that an NHL start in a pinch would not be entirely irresponsible. For both, another strong season in the AHL might be required before a shot at a regular NHL backup spot is realistic.

Thrun

The Leafs did not exactly give up a lot to acquire Henry Thrun, a left-shot defenceman, from the San Jose Sharks. At 24 years old, expectations for improvement might be muted as well. Still, the possibility that Thrun has his best hockey ahead of him exists.

The Sharks did him no favours, as their blueline was and remains very thin. Not only did this force Thrun into regular play before his time, but it also left him without many quality teammates to rely on. On this basis alone, Thrun is poised for better results with the much better support that the Leafs provide.

As more of a puck mover, Thrun might be the primary option to step in should Morgan Rielly or Oliver Ekman-Larsson miss time. That said, a chance to really thrive in the AHL might not be the worst thing for Thrun. Either way, Thrun joins a Leafs team with a ton of organizational depth at the blueline, and who will not have to force him into games before his time.

Quillan

Jacob Quillan had a nice rookie season in the AHL, appearing in one game for the Leafs last season as well. Entering his age-23 season, Quillan’s path to the NHL will rely more on his defensive abilities than his AHL production. There is a responsible and cerebral two-way forward within, and he has the inside lane for a midseason call-up.

Perhaps Quillan is running out of runway to take off as a regular NHLer, but this season could represent a huge inflection point for his career. Without much fanfare, it is not impossible that Quillan could push for a spot in training camp. With Pontus Holmberg now with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Quillan could find himself on a similar journey seeping into the Leafs lineup.

Haymes

Signed out of the NCAA last season, Luke Haymes did quite well in his initial nine-game stint in the AHL. Entering his first full professional season and turning 22, he will look to build on his steep ascent. Haymes has the chance to blow past Quillan and other Marlies players if he can put together a strong first half of the season.

Perhaps he can make an impression in training camp, enough that more seasoning in the AHL would inspire some confidence. It would not be a bad thing for Haymes to take a key role for the Marlies all season, positioning himself well to push for an NHL roster spot in 2026–27. Haymes might have more offensive upside and more physicality than Quillan, perhaps echoing some of what Fraser Minten provided the Leafs with last season.

Groulx

Bo Groulx has appeared in some NHL games, seeming overmatched with a weak Anaheim Ducks team last season. At 25 years old, he is more of a veteran at this point, having spent last season with the New York Rangers’ AHL affiliate. Despite missing a good portion of the season, Groulx led his team in points per game and was an offensive focal point for his team.

Offensive upside was never much of a thought for Groulx, who can bring some physicality and defence befitting of a bottom-six role, but the jump in production offers some hope. At the very least, Groulx represents a buoy for other hopefuls, like Haymes and Quillan, to pass. An injury call-up early in the season might be his best chance to see NHL action, as younger players should pass him by at some point.

Webber

Again with an older prospect, Cade Webber is one of Treliving’s earlier acquisitions. After his first full season with the Marlies, the tall, defensive left-shot looks to build his resume. Points will never be the way to measure Webber; however, a growing role in the AHL is still a significant step. At 24 years old, Webber is not a high-end prospect, but given his size and his play style, there might still be hope.

Webber is offensively limited, but he could be a solid defensive presence in the NHL, a situational third-pairing defender. It is unlikely that Webber appears in an NHL game this coming season, save for injury emergencies, but a strong offseason could position him for the chance. Vincent Desharnais recently made a similar journey as a towering defensive option, going from an unheralded mid-20s prospect to a journeyman defensive option. The Leafs have the depth to go with other options if Webber is not ready, perhaps Marshall Rifai or Dakota Mermis, but it is not entirely out of the question that Webber begins to surface in such contemplations.