Next up in our 2023 Fantasy Hockey Breakouts series is the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Maple Leafs have high expectations for 2023-24. They sport plenty of star power on their roster, led by Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, John Tavares, and William Nylander. These players are must-haves in your fantasy drafts, but they also have three breakouts who warrant consideration for your team. Let’s discuss them now.
Toronto Maple Leafs Breakout Candidates for 2023-24 Season
Matthew Knies
Matthew Knies is the Maple Leafs’ top prospect, and all eyes will be on him this season. The 20-year-old left a marvelous first impression for the Maple Leafs during the postseason, posting one goal and four points in seven games. After a strong postseason performance like that, he should be on the Maple Leafs’ opening night roster next month.
Knies is the Maple Leafs’ best prospect for a reason. He not only is known for his excellent offensive IQ and skill but also provides plenty of physicality. The latter is something Toronto needs more of, especially during the playoffs. Due to this, Knies should have a great first full season with the Maple Leafs and should be a potential target for your fantasy hockey team.
Joseph Woll
Joseph Woll is another breakout candidate for the Maple Leafs heading into the 2023-24 season. He was excellent for the Maple Leafs last season, even if the sample size was small. In seven regular-season appearances, he had a 6-1-0 record, a 2.16 GAA, and a .932 SV%. He then followed that up with a 2.43 GAA and a .915 SV% in four playoff games. Overall, he stepped well when called upon by the Maple Leafs, and he will now look to build off it in 2023-24.
Although the Maple Leafs signed veteran netminder Martin Jones to a one-year deal, the general expectation is that Woll will make the NHL squad. If Woll can replicate his strong play in the NHL over a full season in 2023-24, he will be a nice steal to add to your fantasy teams. When noting that he has great potential, it is fair to assume that he can do just that.
Timothy Liljegren
The 2023-24 season is a big one for Timothy Liljegren. There is no denying that the former first-round pick has the potential to become a top-four defenseman. However, at this point in his NHL career, he has not just yet. However, when noting that he is expected to have a bigger role in 2023-24, things should change on that front.
Liljegren, 24, appeared in 67 games last season for Toronto, posting six goals, 18 points, and a plus-24 rating. Overall, it was a good year for the right-shot defenseman, but expect his offensive totals to improve noticeably during the 2023-24 season. The skill is there, and it’s why he should get some consideration in the later rounds of your fantasy drafts.
It will be interesting to see if all three of these Maple Leafs players break out this upcoming season. It is apparent that they each have the potential to, but time will tell if it comes to fruition.
Make sure to check out all of the sleepers and breakouts of the 2023 fantasy hockey season!