3 Standouts for the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2022-23

Now that the NHL Trade Deadline has come and gone, the season enters its final stretch. Typically at this point in the season, we see teams clinch their spot in the NHL playoffs like the Boston Bruins did this past weekend. However, this is also when teams fall out of the hunt or simply ride out the remaining games in preparation for the offseason like the Anaheim Ducks. Throughout this series, we will look at all 32 NHL team's top three standout players from the season. So, let's keep it going with the Toronto Maple Leafs!

Mitch Marner

Mitch Marner has been out of this world this season. He had a 23-game point streak that broke the record for the longest point streak in Maple Leafs' history, over that span he had 11 goals and 20 assists for 31 assists. So far this season, he has 24 goals and 59 assists for 83 points, which puts him in eighth in the league in scoring. Marner has also been vitally important on the defensive side of the puck. Between killing penalties and using his stick to break up plays that lead to offensive chances, he has shown that he should be in the conversation for the Selke Trophy this season.

23-GAME point streak for Mitch Marner 🔥🔥#LeafsForever | #FlyTogether pic.twitter.com/zRE5ASWd1D
— The Ray & Dregs Hockey Podcast (@rayanddregs) December 14, 2022

William Nylander

William Nylander has had the season that he desperately needed to silence the haters. Throughout his eight-year career, he has been one of the most hated Maple Leafs, but this season it seems that he has worked on his game and the results speak for themselves. He has 34 goals and 44 assists for 78 points in 65 games which puts him in second place on the team, behind the aforementioned Marner. Nylander has tied his previous career-high in goals with 34 and is on pace to end the season with 43 goals. His career-high in points is 80, which he will surpass this season, as he is already at 78, and is on pace for 98. Nylander has also embraced the role of a leader this season, there are reports that he has had a bigger voice in the locker room as well as put in the work at practice.

Auston Matthews

What else can be said about Auston Matthews? He is arguably one of the best players in the NHL, and although his offensive numbers have dipped this season, he has stepped up defensively. Last season he had 60 goals and 46 assists for 104 points last season, he also won the Hart, Rocket and Ted Lindsey Trophies. This season, he has put himself in the conversation for the Selke and could be the winner or the runner-up behind Patrice Bergeron. He leads all forwards in blocked shots this season, with 80, he also has a career-high in hits with 68. Although he has stepped up his defensive game, his offensive game is still above average. He has 31 goals and 30 assists for 65 points in 58 games, which has him on pace for over 80 points to end the season.