If you’re 4 video games into the 2024-25 common season, you by no means need to soar to conclusions and suppose that an offseason transfer was the perfect factor to occur to a crew. It’s a small pattern and there’s nonetheless loads of hockey to be performed and issues can shortly go south.
Nonetheless, for the Toronto Maple Leafs, they’re already beginning to see the payoff with a few of their huge offseason additions. The play of Anthony Stolarz, Chris Tanev and Oliver Ekman-Larsson is already having a constructive impression on the Maple Leafs within the common season. You’ll be able to’t assist however discover their play as they every convey a person skillset that reinforces the crew they usually have come as marketed because the crew is off to a robust 3-1-0 begin.
All three have stood out and the hope is that they will proceed to raise their play because the season progresses. Each Tanev and Ekman-Larsson have improved their blueline on each side of the puck and Stolarz has been the definition of consistency in web. The Maple Leafs wanted to herald gamers like them they usually’re beginning to reap the advantages in consequence.
Stolarz’s Calming Presence in Web
Cool, calm and collective. These are traits that the Maple Leafs haven’t had for a while within the crease. Now, they will say they’ve that in Stolarz early on within the season.
Over the previous couple of seasons, they have been struggling to search out solutions in web. Ilya Samsonov appeared to have proven that, however simply as when there was promise, he returned to his previous habits of being over-aggressive and giving up unhealthy objectives. The hope was that Joseph Woll might be the reply, although his well being has already come into query earlier than the season even began. He has began to return to apply however the one query mark about him is already making followers chew their nails.
The excellent news is that Stolarz has now assumed the starter position together with his stellar play to begin the season. Stolarz already ranks within the top-10 in each save proportion and objectives in opposition to common, with .940 and 1.70 respectively. Amongst goalies with a min. of 100 minutes performed, he’s fifth in five-on-five objectives saved above common with 2.85 and has solely allowed one excessive hazard purpose in opposition to. It helps that he takes up an excellent chunk of the online, being 6-foot-6, 243 kilos, however his mobility, composure and puck monitoring has been excellent. In high-pressure conditions, he doesn’t panic and manages to nonetheless hold the puck out.
Stolarz has had robust numbers over his profession, a .915 SV% and a 2.66 GAA. Although he doesn’t have the in depth expertise as a starter the place he performed greater than 25 video games in a season twice in his eight-year profession. Whereas he’s 31-years-old, the large query is, can he deal with an enormous workload if the crew wants him to after being a backup for thus lengthy? He’s been referred to as upon to take action early on and the truth that he continues to have strong outings is a good signal.
Tanev’s Regular Defensive Play
When the Maple Leafs acquired the rights for Tanev from the Dallas Stars on the draft, there was potential for this to work. He has already established himself as an elite, shutdown defender and it’s a participant that normal supervisor Brad Treliving is conversant in as he spoke extremely of him. Although, he’s getting up there in age as he’s 34 and he has sustained plenty of accidents prior to now. Nonetheless, Treliving wasn’t apprehensive about that. Early on within the season, Tanev has come as marketed as a dependable associate for Morgan Rielly and as a high defender.
Up to now, Tanev has solely been on for one 5-on-5 purpose in opposition to and 6 excessive hazard possibilities in opposition to, displaying that he can decrease the injury in entrance of the online. Whereas his possession numbers when he’s on the ice are very regular contemplating the powerful competitors he faces and minutes he logs, he was introduced in to be a relaxing presence on the backend and thus far, so good.
Tanev has proven that he can do all of it. From defending the push, having an lively stick, preserving gamers to the skin and clogging up the center of ice and entering into lanes to dam pictures (13), he’s doing all of it. Given how the crew’s penalty kill was a priority final season, there seems to be a 180-degree impact taking place because the system that Lane Lambert launched has helped tremendously. With Tanev logging 4:39 of ice time per sport on the penalty kill, he’s undoubtedly a fixture that has given the Maple Leafs an 83.3% success charge.
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The Maple Leafs protection has appeared steadier and extra aggressive inside their very own finish. Having Tanev within the fold is unquestionably useful for them as they appear to show the tide after they struggled final season.
When the Maple Leafs signed Ekman-Larsson to a four-year deal, the hope was that the crew could be getting the rejuvenated and extremely motivated puck-moving defender that helped the Florida Panthers win the Stanley Cup.
Evidently, that model of him has confirmed as he seems to as soon as once more be a well-rounded, puck-moving defender, however with much more layers to his sport. He has three assists– all at even power– in 4 video games and has already moved his means up onto the highest energy play unit. His capacity to stroll the blue line, discover open areas for a go or shot has actually made them extra unpredictable as he’s faster together with his decision-making.
Even at 5-on-5 with Jake McCabe as his common associate, the outcomes are displaying. The pairing hasn’t been on for a purpose in opposition to and have a 58.70 pictures for proportion. Whereas he hasn’t discovered the again of the online, he ranks seventh in pictures by a defender with 15, displaying his capacity to get pucks on purpose.
Whereas he’s proven to be efficient within the offensive zone, he’s aggressive to use stress when he doesn’t have the puck. He’s not identified to be bodily however when he has an opportunity, he isn’t afraid to put the physique. Taking part in underneath Paul Maurice with the Panthers certain did wonders for his sport final season as his aggressive nature on each side of the puck is being displayed that was evident.
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Though it’s early on within the season, you may’t assist however discover the impression the three largest offseason signings for the Maple Leafs are having. Stolarz is a mannequin of consistency in web and Tanev and Ekman-Larsson each convey one thing to a blue line that was in a necessity of a shakeup.
We’ll must see an even bigger pattern of what they will do, however for now, they’ve been a number of the finest gamers this season.
Statistics from Pure Stat Trick and NHL.
