After 21 games, the Toronto Maple Leafs are sitting atop the Atlantic Division with a 13-6-2 record, currently riding a four-game winning streak as the first quarter winds down. It&#8217;s time to issue first-quarter report cards — and yes, if you want to point out that 21 games aren&#8217;t exactly quarterly grades, therefore The Leafs Nation are late, it&#8217;s worth remembering your professor here isn&#8217;t a math major.
Without further ado, here are the Maple Leafs&#8217; first quarter grades. An additional note: the grades are relative to preseason expectations and consider other factors such as injuries.
Simon Benoit: Benoit was the Maple Leafs&#8217; positive surprise of the 2023-24 campaign and he&#8217;s continued this form into this season, forming a strong third-pairing alongside Conor Timmins. His physicality is a plus in Craig Berube&#8217;s system, his positional sense and rush defence have improved, even if his underlying numbers leave more to be desired. He&#8217;s been fine thus far in his role as a functional No. 5. B-
Connor Dewar: Dewar worked his way back from injury but through five games, he hasn&#8217;t registered a point, he doesn&#8217;t do anything noticeable and while you could chalk that up to a function of low-event hockey, he&#8217;s not really contributing to the team in a meaningful way. Toronto has a far inferior shot and chance differential when he&#8217;s on the ice at 5-on-5, although no goals have been scored for either team when he&#8217;s played at even strength through November. We&#8217;ll need to see more from Dewar, especially if The Kids are graduating ahead of schedule. D
Max Domi: Domi started the year with six assists through the opening six games, but has been since mired in a 13-game point drought. He needs to show a willingness to shoot the puck more often. He&#8217;s since been placed on injured reserve and was perhaps fighting through a nagging injury, so we&#8217;re taking this into account but we can&#8217;t overlook the lack of production, especially when he&#8217;s been afforded quality linemates throughout the year. C
Oliver Ekman-Larsson: Ekman-Larsson started the season on fire, displaying a much-needed <a href="https://theleafsnation.com/news/oliver-ekman-larsson-offensive-inventiveness-toronto-maple-leafs">offensive inventiveness</a> that was lacking on previous Maple Leafs&#8217; teams. He&#8217;s formed a strong partnership with Morgan Rielly with an underrated mean streak, and he&#8217;s clearly proved that he was more than the function of the Panthers&#8217; defensive system last year. B+
Nikita Grebenkin: <a href="https://theleafsnation.com/news/nikita-grebenkin-on-message-he-received-before-nhl-debut-backcheck-forecheck-and-paycheque">Backcheck, forecheck, paycheque!</a> Grebenkin&#8217;s post-game interview Wednesday went viral and his combination of size, physicality and tenacity has stood out through two games. The 21-year-old is up with the Maple Leafs due to a wave of injuries and now it&#8217;s incumbent upon him to build on his solid two games by finishing some key chances. B
Jani Hakanpaa: Hakanpaa worked his way back from a knee injury that prematurely ended his 2023-24 campaign, but his early returns haven&#8217;t been great. He committed four turnovers during a Nov. 16 victory over the Edmonton Oilers and was constantly getting bailed out by Morgan Rielly. We&#8217;re optimistic that Hakanpaa&#8217;s second-quarter grade will look a lot better. C-
Pontus Holmberg: Holmberg has utility as a penalty killer but he&#8217;s often been miscast in a No. 2 centre role due to several injuries and his production leaves plenty to be desired with one goal and three points in 19 games. He&#8217;s not generating anything meaningful with star linemates, and is one of several Maple Leafs who haven&#8217;t produced enough secondary scoring throughout the year. C-
Calle Jarnkrok: Jarnkrok has been on long-term injured reserve for the entire first quarter. Incomplete
David Kampf: Kampf has been great on the penalty kill and has been a solid contributor to Toronto&#8217;s fourth line. He&#8217;s been placed on injured reserve, and when he returns to full health, it&#8217;s possible he could be back on the trade block, as the Maple Leafs look to improve at centre. C+
Matthew Knies: Knies emerged as <a href="https://theleafsnation.com/news/how-matthew-knies-has-emerged-genuine-breakout-star-for-maple-leafs">one of the NHL&#8217;s breakout stars</a> prior to his injury on Wednesday against the Vegas Golden Knights. He&#8217;s using his speed, size, physicality, scoring touch and mean streak to full effect, and was often drifting off Auston Matthews to get to the net-front. Knies is a staple of the team, and his return will be gladly welcomed as the bridge between the future and the present. A-
Steven Lorentz: Lorentz has been the most impactful player on Toronto&#8217;s fourth line and his straight-line speed and physicality are plusses in Craig Berube&#8217;s system. He&#8217;s been a delightful presence and is beloved by his teammates as well, while showing a penchant for shot-blocking and winning puck battles. B+
Mitch Marner: There are some people who would take issue with Marner until April and if that&#8217;s the case, we&#8217;ll see you next spring. Marner has been outstanding in all facets to start the season and has elevated his game during Auston Matthews&#8217; injury-related absence. At the time of this filing, Marner has recorded eight goals and 28 points and is on pace for a 109-point campaign, while providing excellent defence as well. A+
Auston Matthews: Matthews recorded five goals and 11 points in 13 games, before suffering an injury that has kept him out of Toronto&#8217;s past eight games. He was producing stellar underlying numbers, while continuing his form as one of the NHL&#8217;s best defensive forwards prior to the injury, and the goals are expected to rain down when he eventually returns. B
Jake McCabe: McCabe signed a five-year extension worth $4.51 million annually with the Maple Leafs on <a href="https://theleafsnation.com/news/instant-grade-jake-mccabe-toronto-maple-leafs-team-friendly-extension">October 28</a> and has formed one of the NHL&#8217;s best defensive partnerships alongside Chris Tanev. He&#8217;s making smart zone exits, he stands up for his teammates, his on-ice communication has never been better and Toronto controls 58 percent of the expected goals when he&#8217;s on the ice at 5-on-5. A 
Bobby McMann: McMann was inexplicably benched for the season opener but he&#8217;s been a mainstay in the lineup and is producing well on Toronto&#8217;s top line alongside John Tavares and Mitch Marner. When he&#8217;s at his best, McMann looks downright unstoppable, he works incredibly hard to hound down loose pucks, he possesses elite straight-line and separations speed. It&#8217;s just a matter of greater consistency. A-
Dakota Mermis: Mermis hasn&#8217;t played a game yet for the Maple Leafs. Incomplete 
Fraser Minten: Minten suffered a high-ankle sprain during the prospects tournament and missed training camp as a result, where he could&#8217;ve made the opening night roster for the second consecutive year.The 20-year-old scored his first NHL goal on Wednesday, and has two points in two games. Not a bad start for a prospect that was considered a defensive-minded presence with secondary scoring touch. B+
Philippe Myers: Myers has been working incredibly hard to get into the lineup and is a regular at optional skates, but he&#8217;s been one of the odd men out in Toronto&#8217;s defensive rotation. In his lone NHL game this year, Myers strugged badly in a Oct. 26 loss to the Boston Bruins, but the organization is still confident in his overall game. We&#8217;ll keep faith that his grade will improve next quarter. D
Alex Nylander: The younger Nylander bet on himself for a chance with the Maple Leafs and made his debut alongside his brother, William, during Sunday&#8217;s win against the Utah Hockey Club. He didn&#8217;t do a whole lot, but he&#8217;s one of several Marlies players that have a real opportunity to crack the roster during the next few weeks. B-
William Nylander: Nylander is a one-man shot-creation machine, he&#8217;s one of the NHL&#8217;s most dangerous players off the rush, you can play him at centre or wing and it doesn&#8217;t seem to matter. He&#8217;s been every bit as good as advertised with 14 goals and 24 points in 21 games, while the Maple Leafs&#8217; forward corps have been subject to constant change. A 
Max Pacioretty: Pacioretty was showing signs of a resurgent campaign prior to his injury suffered against the Montreal Canadiens on November 9. He can play throughout the lineup with an underrated physical streak, but it remains to be seen whether he&#8217;ll be the same player upon returning from injury. B-
Ryan Reaves: It&#8217;s with this caveat that we don&#8217;t enjoy being negative about players, but Reaves simply isn&#8217;t functioning as a real NHL player, with one assist in 16 games. He&#8217;s been a net negative, even though he&#8217;s one of the most well-liked players on the team and his five-game suspension for a hit on Darnell Nurse has provided opportunity for several Marlies to take his place permanently. D-
Morgan Rielly: Rielly has provided the secondary scoring needed from the blue line and has formed an effective pairing with Oliver Ekman-Larsson. He&#8217;s benefiting from a slightly reduced workload and he&#8217;s quietly helped the power play find its form in November. Rielly could see an uptick next quarter, especially as he builds continuity with Ekman-Larsson throughout the year. B
Nick Robertson: Robertson leads the team with eight drawn penalties at 5-on-5 but as an offensive-minded player that is ill-suited for a checking role, one goal in 18 games simply isn&#8217;t good enough. He&#8217;s only 23 years old but Robertson needs to find the net, or he may truly benefit from a change of scenery. D
Alex Steeves: Steeves is a proven scorer at the AHL level, but his offence has dried up in the NHL. It&#8217;s likely that he&#8217;ll be sent down to the Marlies when a number of regular forwards return, as he&#8217;s finding it difficult to generate real offence with zero points in three games. C+
Anthony Stolarz: Stolarz has emerged as one of the NHL&#8217;s best goalies this season and is the first legitimate Maple Leafs candidate for the Vezina Trophy in recent memory. He&#8217;s made some tremendous saves, he constantly keeps the Maple Leafs in games, he moves exceptionally well for someone his size, and he&#8217;s seized a true No. 1 role during the first quarter of the year. Stolarz is sharing valedictorian honours for this term with Mitch Marner. A+
Chris Tanev: Tanev has been as good as advertised, he&#8217;s been Toronto&#8217;s most effective defenceman and a true shutdown option, working in tandem with Jake McCabe. He&#8217;s making easy reads, he&#8217;s taking on some of the NHL&#8217;s most difficult assignments and he&#8217;s arguably the league&#8217;s premier shot blocker. It&#8217;s been a nearly ideal homecoming thus far. A 
John Tavares: Tavares is owed an apology by some factions of the fan base, as he&#8217;s producing like a true No. 1 centre through the opening quarter of the season, using his <a href="https://theleafsnation.com/news/john-tavares-power-game-hockey-intelligence-shows-flashes-of-his-prime">hockey intelligence and power game to near-elite effect</a>. He&#8217;s produced nine goals and 20 points in 20 games, while winning 59.7 percent of his faceoffs. So much for age-related decline! A 
Conor Timmins: If Benoit was Toronto&#8217;s best surprise last year, Timmins&#8217; maturation into a strong third-pair option has been the positive surprise thus far. He beat Timothy Liljegren and Philippe Myers outright for the No. 6 role, he&#8217;s fended off Jani Hakanpaa for the time being, he&#8217;s completely mitigated his risk profile and is constantly making clever decisions with the puck. He&#8217;s been arguably the greatest beneficiary of Craig Berube&#8217;s coaching and there&#8217;s enough of a sample to show that his improvement may be for real. B+
Joseph Woll: Woll was expected to work in tandem with Anthony Stolarz, but he placed on injured reserve with a lower-body injury on opening night, Stolarz balled out, and he had to wait his turn for some starts. Since then, Woll has also been outstanding out of the gate and was named the NHL&#8217;s Third Star of the Week for <a href="https://theleafsnation.com/news/maple-leafs-goaltender-joseph-woll-named-nhls-third-star-of-the-week">two stellar performances against Vegas and Utah</a>. Don&#8217;t look now, but the Maple Leafs have two stellar goalies they can turn to on any given night. A-
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After 21 games, the Toronto Maple Leafs are sitting atop the Atlantic Division with a 13-6-2 record, currently riding a four-game winning streak as the first quarter winds down. It's time to issue first-quarter report cards — and yes, if you want to point out that 21 games aren't exactly quarterly grades, therefore The Leafs Nation are late, it's worth remembering your professor here isn't a math major.

Without further ado, here are the Maple Leafs' first quarter grades. An additional note: the grades are relative to preseason expectations and consider other factors such as injuries.

Simon Benoit: Benoit was the Maple Leafs' positive surprise of the 2023-24 campaign and he's continued this form into this season, forming a strong third-pairing alongside Conor Timmins. His physicality is a plus in Craig Berube's system, his positional sense and rush defence have improved, even if his underlying numbers leave more to be desired. He's been fine thus far in his role as a functional No. 5. B-

Connor Dewar: Dewar worked his way back from injury but through five games, he hasn't registered a point, he doesn't do anything noticeable and while you could chalk that up to a function of low-event hockey, he's not really contributing to the team in a meaningful way. Toronto has a far inferior shot and chance differential when he's on the ice at 5-on-5, although no goals have been scored for either team when he's played at even strength through November. We'll need to see more from Dewar, especially if The Kids are graduating ahead of schedule. D

Max Domi: Domi started the year with six assists through the opening six games, but has been since mired in a 13-game point drought. He needs to show a willingness to shoot the puck more often. He's since been placed on injured reserve and was perhaps fighting through a nagging injury, so we're taking this into account but we can't overlook the lack of production, especially when he's been afforded quality linemates throughout the year. C

Oliver Ekman-Larsson: Ekman-Larsson started the season on fire, displaying a much-needed <a href="https://theleafsnation.com/news/oliver-ekman-larsson-offensive-inventiveness-toronto-maple-leafs">offensive inventiveness</a> that was lacking on previous Maple Leafs' teams. He's formed a strong partnership with Morgan Rielly with an underrated mean streak, and he's clearly proved that he was more than the function of the Panthers' defensive system last year. B+

Nikita Grebenkin: <a href="https://theleafsnation.com/news/nikita-grebenkin-on-message-he-received-before-nhl-debut-backcheck-forecheck-and-paycheque">Backcheck, forecheck, paycheque!</a> Grebenkin's post-game interview Wednesday went viral and his combination of size, physicality and tenacity has stood out through two games. The 21-year-old is up with the Maple Leafs due to a wave of injuries and now it's incumbent upon him to build on his solid two games by finishing some key chances. B

Jani Hakanpaa: Hakanpaa worked his way back from a knee injury that prematurely ended his 2023-24 campaign, but his early returns haven't been great. He committed four turnovers during a Nov. 16 victory over the Edmonton Oilers and was constantly getting bailed out by Morgan Rielly. We're optimistic that Hakanpaa's second-quarter grade will look a lot better. C-

Pontus Holmberg: Holmberg has utility as a penalty killer but he's often been miscast in a No. 2 centre role due to several injuries and his production leaves plenty to be desired with one goal and three points in 19 games. He's not generating anything meaningful with star linemates, and is one of several Maple Leafs who haven't produced enough secondary scoring throughout the year. C-

Calle Jarnkrok: Jarnkrok has been on long-term injured reserve for the entire first quarter. Incomplete

David Kampf: Kampf has been great on the penalty kill and has been a solid contributor to Toronto's fourth line. He's been placed on injured reserve, and when he returns to full health, it's possible he could be back on the trade block, as the Maple Leafs look to improve at centre. C+

Matthew Knies: Knies emerged as <a href="https://theleafsnation.com/news/how-matthew-knies-has-emerged-genuine-breakout-star-for-maple-leafs">one of the NHL's breakout stars</a> prior to his injury on Wednesday against the Vegas Golden Knights. He's using his speed, size, physicality, scoring touch and mean streak to full effect, and was often drifting off Auston Matthews to get to the net-front. Knies is a staple of the team, and his return will be gladly welcomed as the bridge between the future and the present. A-

Steven Lorentz: Lorentz has been the most impactful player on Toronto's fourth line and his straight-line speed and physicality are plusses in Craig Berube's system. He's been a delightful presence and is beloved by his teammates as well, while showing a penchant for shot-blocking and winning puck battles. B+

Mitch Marner: There are some people who would take issue with Marner until April and if that's the case, we'll see you next spring. Marner has been outstanding in all facets to start the season and has elevated his game during Auston Matthews' injury-related absence. At the time of this filing, Marner has recorded eight goals and 28 points and is on pace for a 109-point campaign, while providing excellent defence as well. A+

Auston Matthews: Matthews recorded five goals and 11 points in 13 games, before suffering an injury that has kept him out of Toronto's past eight games. He was producing stellar underlying numbers, while continuing his form as one of the NHL's best defensive forwards prior to the injury, and the goals are expected to rain down when he eventually returns. B

Jake McCabe: McCabe signed a five-year extension worth $4.51 million annually with the Maple Leafs on <a href="https://theleafsnation.com/news/instant-grade-jake-mccabe-toronto-maple-leafs-team-friendly-extension">October 28</a> and has formed one of the NHL's best defensive partnerships alongside Chris Tanev. He's making smart zone exits, he stands up for his teammates, his on-ice communication has never been better and Toronto controls 58 percent of the expected goals when he's on the ice at 5-on-5. A 

Bobby McMann: McMann was inexplicably benched for the season opener but he's been a mainstay in the lineup and is producing well on Toronto's top line alongside John Tavares and Mitch Marner. When he's at his best, McMann looks downright unstoppable, he works incredibly hard to hound down loose pucks, he possesses elite straight-line and separations speed. It's just a matter of greater consistency. A-

Dakota Mermis: Mermis hasn't played a game yet for the Maple Leafs. Incomplete 

Fraser Minten: Minten suffered a high-ankle sprain during the prospects tournament and missed training camp as a result, where he could've made the opening night roster for the second consecutive year.The 20-year-old scored his first NHL goal on Wednesday, and has two points in two games. Not a bad start for a prospect that was considered a defensive-minded presence with secondary scoring touch. B+

Philippe Myers: Myers has been working incredibly hard to get into the lineup and is a regular at optional skates, but he's been one of the odd men out in Toronto's defensive rotation. In his lone NHL game this year, Myers strugged badly in a Oct. 26 loss to the Boston Bruins, but the organization is still confident in his overall game. We'll keep faith that his grade will improve next quarter. D

Alex Nylander: The younger Nylander bet on himself for a chance with the Maple Leafs and made his debut alongside his brother, William, during Sunday's win against the Utah Hockey Club. He didn't do a whole lot, but he's one of several Marlies players that have a real opportunity to crack the roster during the next few weeks. B-

William Nylander: Nylander is a one-man shot-creation machine, he's one of the NHL's most dangerous players off the rush, you can play him at centre or wing and it doesn't seem to matter. He's been every bit as good as advertised with 14 goals and 24 points in 21 games, while the Maple Leafs' forward corps have been subject to constant change. A 

Max Pacioretty: Pacioretty was showing signs of a resurgent campaign prior to his injury suffered against the Montreal Canadiens on November 9. He can play throughout the lineup with an underrated physical streak, but it remains to be seen whether he'll be the same player upon returning from injury. B-

Ryan Reaves: It's with this caveat that we don't enjoy being negative about players, but Reaves simply isn't functioning as a real NHL player, with one assist in 16 games. He's been a net negative, even though he's one of the most well-liked players on the team and his five-game suspension for a hit on Darnell Nurse has provided opportunity for several Marlies to take his place permanently. D-

Morgan Rielly: Rielly has provided the secondary scoring needed from the blue line and has formed an effective pairing with Oliver Ekman-Larsson. He's benefiting from a slightly reduced workload and he's quietly helped the power play find its form in November. Rielly could see an uptick next quarter, especially as he builds continuity with Ekman-Larsson throughout the year. B

Nick Robertson: Robertson leads the team with eight drawn penalties at 5-on-5 but as an offensive-minded player that is ill-suited for a checking role, one goal in 18 games simply isn't good enough. He's only 23 years old but Robertson needs to find the net, or he may truly benefit from a change of scenery. D

Alex Steeves: Steeves is a proven scorer at the AHL level, but his offence has dried up in the NHL. It's likely that he'll be sent down to the Marlies when a number of regular forwards return, as he's finding it difficult to generate real offence with zero points in three games. C+

Anthony Stolarz: Stolarz has emerged as one of the NHL's best goalies this season and is the first legitimate Maple Leafs candidate for the Vezina Trophy in recent memory. He's made some tremendous saves, he constantly keeps the Maple Leafs in games, he moves exceptionally well for someone his size, and he's seized a true No. 1 role during the first quarter of the year. Stolarz is sharing valedictorian honours for this term with Mitch Marner. A+

Chris Tanev: Tanev has been as good as advertised, he's been Toronto's most effective defenceman and a true shutdown option, working in tandem with Jake McCabe. He's making easy reads, he's taking on some of the NHL's most difficult assignments and he's arguably the league's premier shot blocker. It's been a nearly ideal homecoming thus far. A 

John Tavares: Tavares is owed an apology by some factions of the fan base, as he's producing like a true No. 1 centre through the opening quarter of the season, using his <a href="https://theleafsnation.com/news/john-tavares-power-game-hockey-intelligence-shows-flashes-of-his-prime">hockey intelligence and power game to near-elite effect</a>. He's produced nine goals and 20 points in 20 games, while winning 59.7 percent of his faceoffs. So much for age-related decline! A 

Conor Timmins: If Benoit was Toronto's best surprise last year, Timmins' maturation into a strong third-pair option has been the positive surprise thus far. He beat Timothy Liljegren and Philippe Myers outright for the No. 6 role, he's fended off Jani Hakanpaa for the time being, he's completely mitigated his risk profile and is constantly making clever decisions with the puck. He's been arguably the greatest beneficiary of Craig Berube's coaching and there's enough of a sample to show that his improvement may be for real. B+

Joseph Woll: Woll was expected to work in tandem with Anthony Stolarz, but he placed on injured reserve with a lower-body injury on opening night, Stolarz balled out, and he had to wait his turn for some starts. Since then, Woll has also been outstanding out of the gate and was named the NHL's Third Star of the Week for <a href="https://theleafsnation.com/news/maple-leafs-goaltender-joseph-woll-named-nhls-third-star-of-the-week">two stellar performances against Vegas and Utah</a>. Don't look now, but the Maple Leafs have two stellar goalies they can turn to on any given night. A-
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Maple Leafs’ 1st quarter grades: Marner, Stolarz share valedictorian status

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