The Toronto Maple Leafs seem to be getting their game going after an offseason full of changes. After finally breaking their "first-round loss" streak ended with a series win against the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Leafs fell short in the second round. Despite the talent, the Maple Leafs haven't been to the Conference Finals since 2002.
This offseason, the Leafs added some big pieces in their pursuit of a championship. Tyler Bertuzzi surprised many when he joined the Leafs. Max Domi felt like a perfect compliment for the Leafs' bottom six. John Klingberg was going to be the value defenseman who would play above his contract. Ryan Reeves would bring some grit to the lineup on a nightly basis that would prove useful in the playoffs.
None of that really worked out. The Leafs are better now than at the start of the season, but the additions haven't helped much. Domi has the most points of all the new players, and he's yet to score a goal in 15 games. Bertuzzi has just six points to start the season. Klingberg had been messy in his own zone. Reaves is... well... bad. With the struggles of the Leafs' new weapons, it's natural to wonder what former Leafs are doing right now.
3. Ryan O'Reilly, Nashville Predators
Ryan O'Reilly shocked everyone when he decided to sign with the Nashville Predators this offseason. He had a chance to sign with a contender, just like the Leafs. Instead, he chose a team that would pay him well. He signed a four-year deal worth $4.5 million per season. It's not an astronomical price for a player of his caliber, but it's likely the most years someone offered him. He's 32 years old, so teams in contention are less likely to take that risk.
O'Reilly has 14 points in 15 games to start the season. He's been great, full stop. His chemistry with Filip Forsberg is palpable. This is a great signing so far. Although, it is unfortunate it hasn't turned into wins. Juuse Saros hasn't been a world-beater, and it's led to Nashville being at the bottom of the NHL standings. Still, the Leafs could really use O'Reilly's contributions.
2. Michael Bunting, Carolina Hurricanes
Michael Bunting hasn't been a world-beater, but his contributions to the Carolina Hurricanes make a lot of sense. He brings a grinder mentality and can score. He has nine points in 15 games. That's about what's expected. If he can stay around 50 points per season and bring intangibles that make themselves known in the playoffs, the Hurricanes will love this signing.
Bunting signed a three-year, $13.5 million contract this offseason. Later, we learned the Maple Leafs didn't even offer him a contract. It shows the Maple Leafs under new general manager Brad Treliving had a plan that was much different than Kyle Dubas's plan, who is now the general manager in Pittsburgh. He went on to say he "didn't hear much" from the Maple Leafs and just had to assume they were moving on. Ouch.
Now, Bunting found another Stanley Cup contender who could use his services. The Canes have been known to find the players others ignore. His $13.5 million contract suggests there was some kind of market for Bunting, but it's surprising he had no market.
The Leafs gave the money they had for Bunting to Bertuzzi (and then some). Would they rather have Bunting? His numbers are better early in the season, but one has to expect Bertuzzi will get better, too. Still, this one kind of hurts. Bunting has been exactly what one would expect, and the Leafs could really use what he brings.
1. Erik Gustafsson, New York Rangers
One of the best signings of the offseason was the New York Rangers adding Erik Gustafsson. The Swedish defenseman has been exactly what the Rangers need in the absence of Adam Fox. That's right, Gustafsson is replacing one of the best defensemen in the NHL. The Rangers have been the top team in the Metropolitan Division thanks to their ability to overcome injuries. Gustafsson was tops among the players stepping up his game.
Gustafsson has 10 points to start the season. He's been on the top line of the Rangers defense with Ryan Lindgren. He's averaged 20:50 of ice time in the month of November, and he just recorded over 26 minutes in their most recent game, a shootout win to the Columbus Blue Jackets where he had an assist to push his points streak to four games.
He was quite good offensively last season with the Washington Capitals. Then, he was traded to the Maple Leafs, and something just didn't click. He was on the bench for most of the playoffs, only getting into one game of the Lightning series and one game of the Panthers series. He did score in that one game, but it wasn't enough to secure a win for the Maple Leafs.
Most assumed Gustafsson would move on as the Leafs didn't find much use for him, but it's clearly a Toronto problem. Gustafsson has been a revelation in New York. Nobody can claim the moment and the attention was too big for him. He's in New York now, the biggest media market in the world. What went wrong here? It's too late to figure it out, but the Leafs need to know so they don't make the same mistake again.
