As the Toronto Maple Leafs gear up for the 2024–25 season, the questions keep piling up. Who’s going to step up? Can the team finally find that extra edge to get over the playoff hump? For fans who follow the latest Blue & White buzz, there’s a lot of talk about what newcomers will try to carve out for themselves within the team.
And honestly, it feels like the Maple Leafs are at one of those pivotal moments where the right calls — or wrong ones — could shape their future. In the background, what seems to make these conversations even more gripping is the potential of a changing of the guard in the Atlantic Division. Teams like the Ottawa Senators and the Montreal Canadiens seem more ready than ever to be successful in the postseason.
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This season feels like it could be a battle on multiple fronts. The Maple Leafs need some of their depth forwards to prove they belong, while also figuring out how the new players fit in. Let’s dig into some of these storylines and what they might mean as the season approaches.
Item 1: Will Bobby McMann Make the Opening Night Roster?
Bobby McMann had flashes of promise last season, scoring 20 goals and showing some good skill. But then, as the playoffs hit, he disappeared. Zero points in 13 playoff games is rough for anyone hoping to lock down a spot in the future. Now, with one year left on his contract, McMann has to prove he belongs.
Not everyone’s sold on him. TSN analyst Bryan Hayes was straightforward: “I’m not convinced he’s going to be there opening night… He was awful in the playoffs and should have been out of the lineup.” Critics point out that even though McMann’s a big guy, he doesn’t play as physically as you’d expect. Plus, with cap space tight and younger players pushing for ice time, there’s plenty of competition.
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But I don’t want to write him off just yet. That 20-goal stretch last season wasn’t a fluke. McMann has a quick shot and skates well for his size. If he can shake off last year’s playoff woes and come into camp with some fire, he might still carve out a role as a reliable third-line scorer. His future in Toronto hinges largely on how he performs in training camp and the preseason.
Item 2: 3 Maple Leafs New Faces —…
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