When we think about the Toronto Maple Leafs, there are a few names that always come to mind. Auston Matthews. William Nylander. John Tavares. And now Gavin McKenna. These players will no doubt have a major part to play if the Leafs are to have any success next year. But beyond these stars, there are 3 new additions to the Leafs squad that I think will be key to the Leafs success next year. 

Nick Paul

Traded to the Leafs on the opening of free agency for Dennis Hildeby, Nick Paul will be looking to get his career back on track with his hometown team. Coming off a down year in TB where he was hampered by injuries and inconsistent line mates, Paul has the chance to step into a prominent role with the Leafs. At 6’4, 234 pounds, Paul has carved out a solid career in Tampa Bay, twice scoring 20+ goals and being a key contributor to their playoff success (although, he didn’t actually win a Stanley Cup with the Bolts). Known as the Leaf killer, Paul will likely be looked upon to steady the third line, whether its at center or on the the wing, and bring some scoring touch that was expected but undelivered last year when we traded for Dakota Joshua. But where I see Paul having success is potentially playing with Matthews or Tavares, where he has thrived in years past playing a complimentary role with skilled players. In his best season, where he put up 24 goals and 46 points, Paul primarily played on a line with Brandon Hagel and Steven Stamkos. It might not happen right away, but it might not be long before we see Paul lined up on the 1st or 2nd line to fill that complimentary role with Matthews or Tavares. 

Emil Andrae

Another player traded to the Leafs this offseason when the Leafs shipped Joseph Woll and Simon Benoit to the Flyers, the 24-year-old Andrae will be looking to capitalize on a big weakness on the Leafs backend: the ability to advance the puck. Listed only at 5’9, Andrae is known for his aggressive defense and ability to move the puck quickly and efficiently. In 61 games last year and limited minutes, Andrae was able to put up 13 points and was second in plus/minus at +14. He only averaged just above 15 minutes per game in a sheltered 3rd pairing role, but the stats indicate that not only can he defend, but he can also put up points. On a team that already had Cam York and Jamie Drysdale, two smaller-ish defensemen, Andrae was deemed surplus to requirements and was ultimately shipped to the Leafs as the centerpiece of the Joseph Woll trade. With a potential Morgan Rielly trade on the horizon and a focus on transporting the puck, there could be a world where Emil Andrae does enough to earn top-4 minutes alongside the likes of Chris Tanev, assuming McCabe moves up to play with Darren Raddysh. The team was also hit with a ton of injuries last year and with the D-core up there in age, I expect Andrae to be thrust into a top-4 role sooner rather than later. 

Teddy Blueger

Not much was made of Teddy Bleuger when he signed back on free agent frenzy. Off the back of an injury-shortened season with the last-place Canucks, expectations are seemingly low from Leafs faithful on how much he can actually make an impact on a loaded bottom six. But when you dig into who Teddy Blueger is, I think there is a massive opportunity for him to potentially solidify the 3rd line center position. In 35 games last year, Blueger put up 17 points while averaging over 16 minutes a night. With a 50% FOW% over his career and lots of PK duties, he brings a highly responsible game with a bit of a scoring touch. But it’s who he could be potentially playing with that has me the most excited. One of his strongest seasons came in 2023-2024 playing with Dakota Joshua on the Canucks third line, posting 28 points in 68 games. These numbers aren’t earth shattering but its the residual impact it might have on a player like Joshua, who is coming off a poor year, that could have the biggest impact. Joshua had his best statistical season that year, putting up 18 goals and 32 points and settling in at a +19, which helped earn him a 4 year, $13M deal with the Canucks. If the two of them can replicate that magic potentially playing alongside a similarly skilled player to Connor Garland in Easton Cowan, the Leafs might have a steal of a 3rd line center at only $2.5M for the next two seasons.