The 2024-25 NHL season has gotten well underway, with the Toronto Maple Leafs having played their 41st game just recently. In this article, we will dive into the top five Maple Leafs of this season.

Mitch Marner

Marner would be the obvious #1. Marner currently leads the Leafs in scoring and is within the top-10 point scorers in the entire league, with (stats to pub) in his first 41 games. Even with Leafs captain Auston Matthews having missed 15 games this season, Marner’s offensive production has not slowed down. Marner is on his way to notching his first ever 100-point season. If he accomplishes this feat, Marner is in for a real big payday.

John Tavares

Everyone wrote Tavares off, saying his best years were behind him, and that he won’t be a competitive 2C for the Maple Leafs anymore. He’s taken that criticism and shut it down, scoring at a point-per-game pace this season and having the best complete season he’s had as a Maple Leaf. With Matthews having gone down, Tavares stepped up and took on the 1C role, showing he’s still got something left in the tank. Always known as a strong face-off man, Tavares is having one of his best seasons in the dot, with a FO% of 57% in his first 41.  He’s been a physical presence and he’s been a lot stronger defensively than he has been in past seasons.

William Nylander

Nylander has been the hottest goal scorer for the Maple Leafs this season, having notched 23 goals in his first 41 games, being on pace for 46 goals over the full season. Obviously we can’t take this season’s stats with 100% certainty, but Nylander is shooting at a career best 16.7% through the first half of the season. As long as Nylander can continue being an offensive threat, the Leafs are in a great position heading into the postseason.

Anthony Stolarz

Having been injured since the middle of December, Stolarz hasn’t competed in as many games as he would have. Nonetheless, Stolarz has been a bright and welcome surprise for the Maple Leafs. Signing him to a 2×2.5M deal in the offseason, Stolarz was projected to share the crease with Joseph Woll. Stolarz has absolutely taken control of the Leafs’ starting goaltending job, with a 9-5-2 record, and  a .927SV% to go along with a 2.15GAA. Stolarz ranks 1st and 2nd in each respective statistic among all qualified NHL goaltenders.

Chris Tanev

Before he signed in Toronto, Tanev was a name that Leafs fans were wanting for years. Now that he’s finally a Maple Leaf, Leafs fans know that he is a great shot blocker, and a premier defensive defenseman. Tanev is in the league lead for blocked shots, and he isn’t afraid to use his body either. On the books for 5 additional seasons, Tanev will be a Maple Leaf until he retires, and Leafs Nation will get quickly acclimated to the type of player and competitor that Tanev is.

HM: Craig Berube

I understand that Berube isn’t a player, but this Maple Leafs team doesn’t have the same effect and drive that they would’ve had if Berube wasn’t behind the bench. Berube has done something with this team to unlock a new level with each of these players. All of the players have a new level of passion and drive to stay in the game no matter the circumstance.