Two projected breakout players for the Toronto Maple Leafs this year, and LWOS walks you through the steps the Maple Leafs can take to get them on board with the team’s chemistry.
The Maple Leafs have two forwards who, in our opinion, are projected to break out this year. That means the team’s deep roster could light up the scoreboard and, hopefully, lead them to the promised land. Provided the two forwards are ready to take the next step to elite play in the NHL.
This gives the fanbase another visual to look forward to in Maple Leafs gameplay. The team’s depth chart is uncanny and will take charge as the season progresses. The observation will be how the chemistry unfolds, and head coach Jim Hiller will be at the center of the conversation, leading the team.
Breakout Players for the Maple Leafs
The First Of The Two Breakout Players
The first of two breakout players that comes to mind is forward Easton Cowan on the second or third line. He is a coveted forward who will break out this year and provide the Maple Leafs with ample scoring. He is poised to break out because he has two years of experience and is ready to take the next step into eliteness.
His play has been stellar, and he has already scored in the first two games of the season. He is matched with another set of depth players who provide leadership and guidance on where to handle the puck at the most convenient times. He is playing with the likes of captain Auston Matthews, but is mainly fixed in the line with forwards William Nylander and John Tavares.
He should be in good hands to lead his team in scoring. He is a speedy skater with a tenacious ability to get the puck and take it to the net. He gets his team involved in plays and creates turnovers in the defensive zone. He can skate practically anywhere on the ice and take charge when needed to produce.
Cowan will clearly be a player to watch when he plays against other elites in the league, and he will be tasked with shutting down forwards who have a scoring touch in the playoffs. One thing to recognize is that he is a bulky but strong forward and could be one of the breakout players for the Maple Leafs.
The Second of the Two Breakout Players
The second forward listed as a breakout player for the Maple Leafs is Dakota Joshua. He was a force to be reckoned with with the Vancouver Canucks and was acquired to do the same with the Leafs. He is another coveted forward because of his edgy style of play and tenacious on-ice effort.
He brings grit and scoring to the team and has the physical ability needed to compete on the ice. He has the speed to get the puck to his teammates and knows when to get his team back in the game when they are down on the scoreboard. His hockey IQ gives the team added confidence in his play, where he could not produce during the old regime’s tenure.
Joshua is an established forward who needs that push to elevate his game and become a third-line producer. He will be a fan favorite and will be up for the task of sticking up for his teammates as well as scoring goals. This is why he could be one of the breakout players for the Maple Leafs this year.
With the season taking shape in the next few weeks, we are in for a treat to see how this team’s gameplay goes.
Main Image: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
