Just how will the Toronto Maple Leafs distribute power play ice time among their forwards in 2024-25? There haven’t been a lot of personnel changes, still, the changes that did happen could very well impact today’s discussion. They still have outstanding issues at this time, but that’s for another day. So, with all that in mind, let’s try to decipher who’s on the Leafs two power play units in 2024-25.
The Toronto Maple Leafs Two Power Play Units for 2024-25
We shall begin discussing the personnel changes since last year that impact the power play’s ice time allocation. Tyler Bertuzzi‘s departure to the Chicago Blackhawks does leave a hole on the power play, as he was a great net-front presence. Fortunately, the Leafs do have at least a player or two who can potentially step up into that role. We can discuss them later, but there are even separate candidates for each of the two units.
The Personnel Issues Aren’t Many but Are Complicated
Another personnel factor falls on 23-year old and more importantly, restricted free agent, Nicholas Robertson. Last year he had a solid enough 27 points in 56 games in only 11:23 ice time. However, he remains unsigned. Puckpedia has the Leafs listed as having just over $1.275 million in cap space, which you’d think is enough to get a deal done. He could be a second-liner. After putting in his time developing and with the Marlies, struggling through injury, he finally seems like he’s ready. Furthermore, he could very well see some time potentially on the second power play. On the other hand, the Leafs still haven’t seen a big enough body-of-work to warrant the money Robertson is holding out for currently. Right now, and specifically for us on the power play alignment, he’s a big X-Factor in the Leafs situation room.
One further example of player’s roles and responsibilities shifting is the captaincy changing hands from John Tavares to Auston Matthews. This clearly signals a changing of the guard in Leaf Land, but does it automatically exclude Tavares from the top power play unit? One comment to make is that the even last year, Tavares seemed a little out of his element in front of the net. He’s not an intimidating presence in net-front looking to hammer home rebounds, like a Zach Hyman for instance. Moreover, he’s always been better, down low, using his hands in tight to make plays, not to battle for space with physical defenders protecting their goalie. Therefore, we are leaving with one player who may not make the top power play, but will be on the second, in Tavares. This leads to another question mark, and that’s Matthew Knies.
Knies Is a Potential Toronto Maple Leafs Power Play X-Factor
Knies already finds himself on a regular, even strength line with Matthews and Mitch Marner. Therefore, it would be a natural conclusion to have him out there on the power play with the two superstars. However, this is the Leafs, and their top power play is a very prestigious honour. But sticking with the theme of the changing of the guard, it probably makes the most sense. Knies will be able to park in-front, and make room for the skilled players out there with him. This could really drive up Knies point projections, a topic we explored previously. 2024-25 is a big year for Knies to prove himself, and what better way for head coach Craig Berube to give him that opportunity than a spot on one of the league’s top power play units.
Analyzing the Factors Driving Matthew Knies 2024-25 Point Projection
It seems based on our discussion the top unit is fairly set. The question becomes who gets time on the second power play. Moreover, the second power play squad has a great opportunity to showcase their skills. This is a group who needs to show they can be ready for the top unit if necessary. Also, getting secondary power play time is a great way for a lineup as a whole to generate depth-scoring and momentum. Three mainstays for the second unit appear to be Tavares, along with Max Domi and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. This means that someone like Timothy Liljegren is there to support either Morgan Rielly on the top unit, or OEL if either falter. Options is always great to have for Berube.
Rounding Out the Second Power Play
The rest of the second power play is where the competition really sets in. For starters, Bobby McMann is a player who seems to be a front-runner. He scored 15 goals in 56 games last year in limited minutes and can be a big-body around the goalmouth. In contrast, he did only score once on the power play last year, but again, that was in limited chances. In other words, if he’s not producing, his spot could be up for grabs. But as of right now, he gets the nod. That is also contingent on the Robertson re-signing, as a spot is there for him too.
The rest of the second power play unit is a battle between defensive veterans and the youngsters. Guys like Calle Jarnkrok or David Kampf could very well be serviceable power play contributors given their skillsets. However, their energy is probably best served for the Leafs on the defensive side of the puck and killing penalties. Therefore, the second power play unit will be a great forum for the Leafs NHL prospects to show their stuff. We have already mentioned Robertson or McMann occupying those spots, but what about the others?
The Toronto Maple Leafs Youngsters That Could See Power Play Time in 2024-25
This list of players is basically a crossover with those prospects that will crack the NHL roster this season. Easton Cowan is name that Leaf fans are excited about, and he wants to find a spot in the NHL. If he makes the NHL roster, he is definitely a candidate for some time on the power play to showcase his offensive acumen. This is a guy who put 96 points in just 54 games in the OHL last season.
Another name in a similar boat is Fraser Minten. The 2022 second round draft pick by the Leafs isn’t quite so adept at putting up points, at least from the junior level, as was his Leaf prospect counterpart, Cowan. In contrast, if Minten makes the NHL Leafs lineup, he would be an ideal candidate for a shot on the second unit. In his last full season in junior, in 2022-23, he had 31 goals in 57 games for the WHL’s Kamloops Blazers.
One final prospect looking to crack the squad and then the second power play is Nikita Grebenkin. Grebenkin was the 135th pick from the 2022 draft, but don’t let that low standing fool you. He has proven himself at a young age, including being rewarded with regular ice time in the KHL. That is a notoriously difficult thing to do for young players. For example, playing on the Gagarin champion Magnitogorsk Metallurg in 2023-24, he posted 19 goals and 22 assists for 41 points in 67 games.
That gives us our result, the two power play units for the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2024-25. It is definitely loaded with the top offensive stars, but a great mix of youthful exuberance. In any sense, they will have big shoes to fill. In 2022-23 and 2023-24, respectively, the Leafs finished second (26.0%) and seventh (24.0%) in league-wide power play percentage. Anything short of being close, and most importantly powering them through a playoff series victory or two, will of course, be a major disappointment in The Big Smoke.
| POWER PLAY #1 | ||
| LW | C | RW |
| Knies | Matthews | Nylander |
| LD | RD | |
| Rielly | Marner | |
| POWER PLAY #2 | ||
| LW | C | RW |
| Grebenkin | Tavares | McMann |
| LD | RD | |
| Ekman-Larsson | Domi | |
Main Photo Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
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