Evaluating the Maple Leafs: 2024–25 season player grades

Another year, another disappointed fanbase heading into the offseason too early. What more is there to say? 

We’ve looked at the Leafs team individually to assign a report card and grades to each player and the front office. It’s graded on a curve, and we factored the postseason performance into the grades as well. 

Front Office: 

Brad Treliving – A

Brad had a good year as Leafs GM, crafting likely the strongest team in a decade while maintaining the core that Shanahan had ensured remained. Anthony Stolarz and Chris Tanev were excellent free agent signings, both having stellar seasons. Craig Berube very quickly fit in, and Steven Lorentz bolstered the fourth line. At the deadline, Berube got full marks by bringing in Brandon Carlo to shore up the defence and adding Scott Laughton, which was well received at the time. Ultimately, a lack of depth scoring sunk the Leafs again, and there is a ton of work now for Treliving to make something out of a new-look Leafs team. 

Craig Berube – B+

The Berube system, while boring and infuriating at times, produced results. The Leafs won their first Atlantic divisional title with Craig behind the bench. He seems to embody the type of culture that the Leafs want to foment and is not looking like going anywhere soon. However, in the playoffs, the Leafs faced the same issues with effort and performance, and some of that blame must lie with the coach. Games 5 and 7 against Florida are inexcusable, which bumps Craig down a notch.  

Forwards:

Max Domi – D

Max Domi did not have a good season. 74GP, eight goals, and 25 assists for 33 points is simply not good enough for a player making $3.75M. In the postseason, he did have some big goals, but he continued his trend of taking unnecessary penalties at bad moments. He needs to reset and find his game for next season. 

Pontus Holmberg – C-

Clearly liked by Berube, Holmberg played 68 games this season, notching seven goals and 12 assists. As an RFA, he’ll likely be back next year but needs to take an offensive step. 

David Kämpf – C

Kämpf struggled this season, as despite his defensive focus, Berube didn’t trust him as much as Keefe. He was unable to find a consistency that kept him in the lineup in previous years. 

Matthew Knies – A

Knies took a massive step this year, becoming the first line power forward the Leafs have lacked since Zach Hyman left. A key fixture on the power play in a net front role, Knies has the offensive game to complement the Leafs stars. 

Scott Laughton – C-

Scott Laughton cannot play third-line centre. Coming into Toronto at the deadline, Laughton struggled mightily, registering only two goals and two assists in 20 games post-deadline. We did see some flashes during the playoffs, with Laughton showcasing his defensive responsibility in a shutdown role. Expect Laughton to take a step next year as he gets more comfortable in Toronto. 

Steven Lorentz – B+

No complaints about Lorentz’s game this season. Physical, consistent offence, and passion were the hallmarks of 2024–25. This is a player I would like to see back, assuming he doesn’t receive too significant a raise. 

Mitch Marner – B

Marner had the best season of his career, notching 100 points for the first time. He handled the in-season contract question with grace. However, he needed to show up in the playoffs and, as usual, fell short. With his time in Toronto almost certainly over, he leaves behind a tainted legacy and extreme disappointment. 

Auston Matthews – B-

Confirmed at locker cleanout day, Matthews spent basically the entire season dealing with a nagging injury that affected all aspects of his game. He still put up 78 points in 67 games, but was not the top-five player in the league that we know he can be. He also continued his stretch of disappearing in the playoffs, unable to show up when his team needed him the most. Assuring the fans and media that he will be back to 100% in time for next season, we expect a return to game-breaking dominance. 

Bobby McMann – A-

Bobby McMann was a breath of fresh air, and sometimes as fast as the wind. Notching 20 goals and 14 assists, he has earned a consistent lineup spot, and his speed still sometimes fools me, not to mention his opponents. 

William Nylander – A

Nylander was tied for fifth in NHL goals during the regular season and was the team’s points leader in the playoffs. Nothing seems to faze this guy, who delivers consistent results year over year. We would still have liked to see more in the postseason, but that is true of every single member. 

Max Pacioretty – B+

Patches played only 37 games this season, but when he was in the lineup, he made his presence felt, especially in the playoffs. This grade is probably mostly recency bias, but I can’t help admiring the aging, beat-up veteran who laid his body on the line constantly and tried to will his team to victory. 

Nick Robertson – C

I don’t know if the kid is getting a rough go of things or just is the player he consistently shows that he is, but Nick Robertson has not made the leap that many people say he is capable of. He’s capable offensively, but still has too many holes in his game, especially on the defensive side. 

John Tavares – B+

Whether it’s the fabled amulet or the Kombucha on tap at his home, John Tavares appears ageless. I was fully expecting him to sunset in the final years of his contract, but he has just kept plugging away, logging consistent minutes and performing at an elite level. The only UFA who unequivocally wants to remain a Leaf, I hope the team can find a way to bring him back for next year. 

Defence:

Simon Benoit – B-

The Superman punch, the flat whites on the road, the bone-crushing hits, Simon Benoit embodied the passion. However, he was exposed in certain moments, especially without McCabe. 

Brandon Carlo – A

The best addition at the deadline, Carlo provided a calm presence on the blue line, complementing a struggling Morgan Reilly. Having him as a member of the defensive corps for the next two years is a welcome sight. 

Oliver Ekman-Larsson – B+

OEL seems to have accepted his new role in life as a third-pairing defenceman and thrived this season. Still showing the offensive gifts he has been known for, he was also quite responsible in his own end and matched well with Benoit in the Playoffs. 

Jake McCabe – A

Jake McCabe was so important to this team that the Leafs very noticeably declined every time he got injured. His health is the primary concern moving forward, but as long as he is in the lineup, I breathe better than I have in a long time. 

Philippe Myers – B

Myers played his way into 36 games this season, and while he didn’t crack the postseason lineup, he provided solid depth at defence.

Morgan Rielly – B

It might be time for a change for Morgan Rielly. He did not earn his $7.5M cap hit this season, and added another exceptionally disappointing playoff exit to a career that has seen every single Leafs playoff loss since 2013. 

Chris Tanev – A+

Chris Tanev turned himself into a human pincushion and still managed to retain the few teeth he has in his mouth. One of the best defencemen we’ve seen on the blue line in years, he’s everything Toronto needs at the moment. 

Goaltending:

Anthony Stolarz – A+

Stolarz stepped up big after Woll went down to injury, earning himself the starter’s spot for the playoffs. He averaged a 2.14 GAA and .926 SV% through 33 games in the regular season and was very solid against the Senators before going down to a cheap shot in Game 1 of Round 2. If he keeps up the stellar play next season, his $2.5M contract is an absolute steal. 

Joseph Woll – A

Joseph Woll proved he has the capacity to play full-time in the NHL as a starter, although the tandem model probably works a bit better. He played more than half the games for the Leafs and averaged a .909 save percentage. With a contract until 2027–28, he is the Leafs’ future in net for the next few years. 

Looking at the individual players, the Leafs had one of their best regular seasons in decades. However, as has always been the case, these results and report cards mean nothing because the team has already been golfing for a couple of weeks at this point. 

With big changes on the horizon, it remains to be seen what the future holds for the Leafs.