Alright, y’all. I know. In terms of hockey, it’s quiet. The free agency frenzy has fizzled for now and teams are spending their last off weeks at the cottage before gearing up for training camp. Meanwhile, us fans are here itching for the 2024-25 season to start.
I went on PuckPedia and cooked up a Leafs roster from scratch (assuming every NHL player was available). I came in at $105,833 under the cap.
Without further ado, here we go.
<img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-107938" src="https://i0.wp.com/publish.theleafsnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/08/Screen-Shot-2024-08-10-at-1.30.40-PM.png?resize=1424%2C537&#038;ssl=1" alt="" width="1424" height="537" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/publish.theleafsnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/08/Screen-Shot-2024-08-10-at-1.30.40-PM.png?w=2406&amp;ssl=1 2406w, https://i0.wp.com/publish.theleafsnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/08/Screen-Shot-2024-08-10-at-1.30.40-PM.png?resize=300%2C113&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/publish.theleafsnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/08/Screen-Shot-2024-08-10-at-1.30.40-PM.png?resize=1024%2C386&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/publish.theleafsnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/08/Screen-Shot-2024-08-10-at-1.30.40-PM.png?resize=768%2C290&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/publish.theleafsnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/08/Screen-Shot-2024-08-10-at-1.30.40-PM.png?resize=1536%2C580&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/publish.theleafsnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/08/Screen-Shot-2024-08-10-at-1.30.40-PM.png?resize=2048%2C773&amp;ssl=1 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1424px) 100vw, 1424px" />
I thought about limiting myself to including zero real-life Leafs on the roster but I needed the NHL’s best goal scorer on this roster. I’ll go through and explain my reason for each selection.
Jeremy Swayman was the only signing but it’s unlikely the Bruins would let him sign elsewhere, especially after sending Linus Ullmark to Ottawa. I thought about going with a third goalie but I figured Dennis Hildeby (AHL) would fill that slot nicely if need be. Let’s get to it.
<figure id="attachment_107933" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-107933" style="width: 777px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-107933" src="https://i0.wp.com/publish.theleafsnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/08/Leafs-Cap-Roster.png?resize=777%2C532&#038;ssl=1" alt="" width="777" height="532" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/publish.theleafsnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/08/Leafs-Cap-Roster.png?w=777&amp;ssl=1 777w, https://i0.wp.com/publish.theleafsnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/08/Leafs-Cap-Roster.png?resize=300%2C205&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/publish.theleafsnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/08/Leafs-Cap-Roster.png?resize=768%2C526&amp;ssl=1 768w" sizes="(max-width: 777px) 100vw, 777px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-107933" class="wp-caption-text">This fantasy Leafs lineup would be a tough match for anyone in the NHL.</figcaption></figure>
FORWARDS (13)
Auston Matthews (26 years old) Draft: 2016, TOR (1st overall)
69 goals. Do I need to say more?
Mason Marchment (29 years old) Draft: Undrafted
This former Leaf finished 2023-24 with 22 goals and 53 points. Going into his sixth season, Marchment is primarily a LW but can play C. Roster flexibility is always a positive.
Travis Konecny (27 years old) Draft: 2015, PHI (24th overall)
Fresh off getting an extension this summer, Konecny will be eager to prove his worth. In eight NHL seasons, he’s reached 30 assists in four seasons (has an active streak of three seasons). What better goal-scorer for him to play with than Auston Matthews?
Connor McDavid (27 years old) Draft: 2015, EDM (1st overall)
The only issue I had with this inclusion was not having him on the first line. But he and Matthews can tag-team centering the top-line.
Sam Bennett (28 years old) Draft: 2014, CGY (4th overall)
The last three seasons in Florida have been very kind to Bennett as he’s reached 40 points every time. With 100 PIM this past season – more than any other year, you know he’d be willing to throw down with just about anybody. And fresh off winning a cup, he’d provide valuable leadership for this Leafs’ locker room.
Mathieu Joseph (27 years old) Draft: 2015, TBL (120th overall)
A player who reached the 30-point mark for the first time in his career, the Laval native would be eager to improve on that number. And playing with McDavid would allow him to feast on great finishing looks.
Thomas Novak (27 years old) Draft: 2015, NSH (85th overall)
Going into his fourth NHL season, “Tommy” has improved every season so far. With 18 goals and 45 points last season, it’s not unreasonable to expect him to reach 20-25 goals and 50 points in 2024-25.
Daniel Sprong (27 years old) Draft: 2015, PIT (46th overall)
Going into his 11th NHL season and signing with Vancouver in reality, Sprong would still be moving, but to a different Canadian city. He’s finished each of the last two seasons with exactly 25 assists and over 40 points.
Keegan Kolesar (27 years old) Draft: 2015, CBJ (69th overall)
Sandpaper. Or, as Leafs’ GM Brad Treliving likes to call it: snot. Kolesar is a solid bottom-six forward who brings toughness and energy to every shift. The Manitoba native isn’t necessarily on the ice to score goals, but to disrupt the opposing team’s offence. Forwards can play defense too, kids!
Wyatt Johnston (21 years old) Draft: 2021, DAL (23rd overall)
In two NHL seasons, the Toronto native has amassed 106 points in 164 career games. In this situation, he gets to play his third professional season at home.
Matthew Knies (21 years old) Draft: 2021, TOR (57th overall)
Playing in Hogtown is no big deal for Knies. He finished the 2023-24 regular season with 36 points and a +10 rating in 80 games, seeing a lot of top-line action with Auston Matthews. Here, he’s slotted in a role with less pressure, as if it matters to him.
Justin Brazeau (26 years old) Draft: Undrafted
The Marlies alum would return to an organization that gave him a shot back in 2019. Again, snot. Leafs fans will also remember how well he played in the seven-game first round series against Toronto this spring.
Kaapo Kakko (23 years old) Draft: 2019, NYR (2nd overall)
This is a pick based on potential. Kakko had a strong 2022-23 campaign, finishing with 18 goals and 40 points. The Finnish forward would provide bottom-six coverage, should the need arise.
DEFENCE (7)
Hampus Lindholm (30 years old) Draft: 2012, ANA (6th overall)
The innocent-looking dump-in. We all (sadly) remember it too well. Lindholm’s third season in Boston was a down year (26 points) after finishing 2022-23 with 53 but the Swede was still +18 in 73 games.
Cale Makar (25 years old) Draft: 2017, COL (4th overall)
The Calgary native is arguably the best defenceman in the NHL and would provide offense from the blue line, something the Leafs have struggled with in recent memory. Something about signing a guy from Dallas last offseason? This is a hypothetical. Let me dream.
Simon Benoit (25 years old) Draft: Undrafted
Hey, I said I allowed myself to pick from current Leafs as well. The Laval product more than earned a spot on the real Leafs’ roster, so why not have him here as well?
Chris Tanev (34 years old) Draft: Undrafted
I promise I’m not just regurgitating the actual Leafs. Tanev is the perfect second-pairing defenceman. Yes, he’d be the “locker room dad” but he’ll block pucks however he can.
Pierre-Olivier Joseph (25 years old) Draft: 2017, ARI (23rd overall)
Having spent his four NHL seasons in Pittsburgh, POJ would also be making a different move than the actual move he made this offseason. He signed with the Blues and will play the 2024-25 season with his brother. He gets to do that in my hypothetical, too.
Brock Faber (21 years old) Draft: 2020, LAK (45th overall)
Fresh off inking a long-term extension in Minnesota, Faber played every game for the Wild last season and finished with 47 points. Blue-line points are a commodity and who says they must be expensive?
Erik Brannstrom (24 years old) Draft: 2017, VGK (15th overall)
Brannstrom would be on the opposite side of the Battle of Ontario in this hypothetical. Like Kakko with the forwards, Brannstrom would provide valuable depth on the blue line.
GOALIES (2)
Jeremy Swayman (25 years old) Draft: 2017, BOS (111th overall)
Leafs fans, we were all there. Swayman stood on his head in the first round and finished the 2024 playoffs with a 2.38 GAA and .922 save percentage, collecting six wins through 13 games. In this hypothetical, the Leafs’ GM signs the Alaskan to a solid contract with term, providing the team with goalie security.
Jonathan Quick (38 years old) Draft: 2005, LAK (72nd overall)
I again went south of the border for this one. His numbers don’t jump off the page at you (2.47 GAA and .911 save percentage for his career) but he’s seven wins away from 400 for his career. Cam Talbot’s name floated in my head for this spot as well, but I told myself to think quick.

Alright, y’all. I know. In terms of hockey, it’s quiet. The free agency frenzy has fizzled for now and teams are spending their last off weeks at the cottage before gearing up for training camp. Meanwhile, us fans are here itching for the 2024-25 season to start.

I went on PuckPedia and cooked up a Leafs roster from scratch (assuming every NHL player was available). I came in at $105,833 under the cap.

Without further ado, here we go.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-107938" src="https://publish.theleafsnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/08/Screen-Shot-2024-08-10-at-1.30.40-PM.png" alt="" width="2406" height="908" />

I thought about limiting myself to including zero real-life Leafs on the roster but I needed the NHL’s best goal scorer on this roster. I’ll go through and explain my reason for each selection.

Jeremy Swayman was the only signing but it’s unlikely the Bruins would let him sign elsewhere, especially after sending Linus Ullmark to Ottawa. I thought about going with a third goalie but I figured Dennis Hildeby (AHL) would fill that slot nicely if need be. Let’s get to it.

[caption id="attachment_107933" align="alignnone" width="777"]<img class="size-full wp-image-107933" src="https://publish.theleafsnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/08/Leafs-Cap-Roster.png" alt="" width="777" height="532" /> This fantasy Leafs lineup would be a tough match for anyone in the NHL.[/caption]

FORWARDS (13)

Auston Matthews (26 years old) Draft: 2016, TOR (1st overall)

69 goals. Do I need to say more?

Mason Marchment (29 years old) Draft: Undrafted

This former Leaf finished 2023-24 with 22 goals and 53 points. Going into his sixth season, Marchment is primarily a LW but can play C. Roster flexibility is always a positive.

Travis Konecny (27 years old) Draft: 2015, PHI (24th overall)

Fresh off getting an extension this summer, Konecny will be eager to prove his worth. In eight NHL seasons, he’s reached 30 assists in four seasons (has an active streak of three seasons). What better goal-scorer for him to play with than Auston Matthews?

Connor McDavid (27 years old) Draft: 2015, EDM (1st overall)

The only issue I had with this inclusion was not having him on the first line. But he and Matthews can tag-team centering the top-line.

Sam Bennett (28 years old) Draft: 2014, CGY (4th overall)

The last three seasons in Florida have been very kind to Bennett as he’s reached 40 points every time. With 100 PIM this past season – more than any other year, you know he’d be willing to throw down with just about anybody. And fresh off winning a cup, he’d provide valuable leadership for this Leafs’ locker room.

Mathieu Joseph (27 years old) Draft: 2015, TBL (120th overall)

A player who reached the 30-point mark for the first time in his career, the Laval native would be eager to improve on that number. And playing with McDavid would allow him to feast on great finishing looks.

Thomas Novak (27 years old) Draft: 2015, NSH (85th overall)

Going into his fourth NHL season, “Tommy” has improved every season so far. With 18 goals and 45 points last season, it’s not unreasonable to expect him to reach 20-25 goals and 50 points in 2024-25.

Daniel Sprong (27 years old) Draft: 2015, PIT (46th overall)

Going into his 11th NHL season and signing with Vancouver in reality, Sprong would still be moving, but to a different Canadian city. He’s finished each of the last two seasons with exactly 25 assists and over 40 points.

Keegan Kolesar (27 years old) Draft: 2015, CBJ (69th overall)

Sandpaper. Or, as Leafs’ GM Brad Treliving likes to call it: snot. Kolesar is a solid bottom-six forward who brings toughness and energy to every shift. The Manitoba native isn’t necessarily on the ice to score goals, but to disrupt the opposing team’s offence. Forwards can play defense too, kids!

Wyatt Johnston (21 years old) Draft: 2021, DAL (23rd overall)

In two NHL seasons, the Toronto native has amassed 106 points in 164 career games. In this situation, he gets to play his third professional season at home.

Matthew Knies (21 years old) Draft: 2021, TOR (57th overall)

Playing in Hogtown is no big deal for Knies. He finished the 2023-24 regular season with 36 points and a +10 rating in 80 games, seeing a lot of top-line action with Auston Matthews. Here, he’s slotted in a role with less pressure, as if it matters to him.

Justin Brazeau (26 years old) Draft: Undrafted

The Marlies alum would return to an organization that gave him a shot back in 2019. Again, snot. Leafs fans will also remember how well he played in the seven-game first round series against Toronto this spring.

Kaapo Kakko (23 years old) Draft: 2019, NYR (2nd overall)

This is a pick based on potential. Kakko had a strong 2022-23 campaign, finishing with 18 goals and 40 points. The Finnish forward would provide bottom-six coverage, should the need arise.

DEFENCE (7)

Hampus Lindholm (30 years old) Draft: 2012, ANA (6th overall)

The innocent-looking dump-in. We all (sadly) remember it too well. Lindholm’s third season in Boston was a down year (26 points) after finishing 2022-23 with 53 but the Swede was still +18 in 73 games.

Cale Makar (25 years old) Draft: 2017, COL (4th overall)

The Calgary native is arguably the best defenceman in the NHL and would provide offense from the blue line, something the Leafs have struggled with in recent memory. Something about signing a guy from Dallas last offseason? This is a hypothetical. Let me dream.

Simon Benoit (25 years old) Draft: Undrafted

Hey, I said I allowed myself to pick from current Leafs as well. The Laval product more than earned a spot on the real Leafs’ roster, so why not have him here as well?

Chris Tanev (34 years old) Draft: Undrafted

I promise I’m not just regurgitating the actual Leafs. Tanev is the perfect second-pairing defenceman. Yes, he’d be the “locker room dad” but he’ll block pucks however he can.

Pierre-Olivier Joseph (25 years old) Draft: 2017, ARI (23rd overall)

Having spent his four NHL seasons in Pittsburgh, POJ would also be making a different move than the actual move he made this offseason. He signed with the Blues and will play the 2024-25 season with his brother. He gets to do that in my hypothetical, too.

Brock Faber (21 years old) Draft: 2020, LAK (45th overall)

Fresh off inking a long-term extension in Minnesota, Faber played every game for the Wild last season and finished with 47 points. Blue-line points are a commodity and who says they must be expensive?

Erik Brannstrom (24 years old) Draft: 2017, VGK (15th overall)

Brannstrom would be on the opposite side of the Battle of Ontario in this hypothetical. Like Kakko with the forwards, Brannstrom would provide valuable depth on the blue line.

GOALIES (2)

Jeremy Swayman (25 years old) Draft: 2017, BOS (111th overall)

Leafs fans, we were all there. Swayman stood on his head in the first round and finished the 2024 playoffs with a 2.38 GAA and .922 save percentage, collecting six wins through 13 games. In this hypothetical, the Leafs’ GM signs the Alaskan to a solid contract with term, providing the team with goalie security.

Jonathan Quick (38 years old) Draft: 2005, LAK (72nd overall)

I again went south of the border for this one. His numbers don’t jump off the page at you (2.47 GAA and .911 save percentage for his career) but he’s seven wins away from 400 for his career. Cam Talbot’s name floated in my head for this spot as well, but I told myself to think quick.

Constructing a competitive Leafs roster within the cap from scratch

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