After about a month of play, the Toronto Maple Leafs have experienced a mixed bag of results in the 2024-25 NHL season. The team got off to a promising start, winning four of their first six games, but they’ve since fallen back into some of their old bad habits. Combined with a power play that continues to struggle, their record has dropped to 6-5-1.
While the team’s top stars are largely living up to expectations—some more than others—their goalies have played a crucial role in keeping the team competitive. Below, we highlight five of the biggest surprises from the Leafs’ first month of the season.
1. Matthew Knies
After a solid rookie season in 2023-24, where he notched 15 goals and 20 assists for 35 points in 80 games, Matthew Knies entered his sophomore year looking to build on that success. What no one expected, however, was just how quickly he’d emerge as a scoring force. In his first 12 games of the 2024-25 season, Knies has already racked up 6 goals and 7 points, putting him on pace for an impressive 41 goals this year.
While playing alongside Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner has certainly helped, no player has scored more than 25 goals while skating on that line—though Michael Bunting did post two of the best 5v5 seasons in recent memory with them. If Knies can maintain his current pace, he could easily surpass that mark, further boosting the Leafs’ top line and giving them an added offensive weapon. The only downside is that if he does have a breakout year, he could become more difficult to re-sign in the future.
Anthony Stolarz
When the Toronto Maple Leafs signed Anthony Stolarz in the offseason, many expected him to serve as a backup to Joseph Woll, forming a goaltending tandem for the 2024-25 season. Stolarz had proven to be a solid NHL goalie, but mostly in a backup role over the past several years.
However, when Woll was placed on injured reserve at the start of the season, Stolarz was unexpectedly thrust into the starting role—and he has more than risen to the challenge. In his first five starts, Stolarz allowed two goals or fewer in every game, giving the Leafs a chance to win each time he was in net. He has posted a 4-2-1 record, with a 2.45 GAA and .916 save percentage. While the Leafs knew Stolarz was capable, they likely didn’t expect him to perform at this high level.
Max Pacioretty
Max Pacioretty’s signing to a professional tryout by the Leafs in September came with few expectations. The 35-year-old veteran had been plagued by injuries over the past two seasons, playing only 52 games and tallying just 7 goals and 19 assists for 26 points. Many wondered if he could regain his past form after such a lengthy battle with injuries.
Pacioretty didn’t quiet critics during training camp when he made the team, as some felt the Leafs may have simply given him a spot due to his reputation. However, he has exceeded expectations since then. In nine games this season, Pacioretty has contributed 2 goals and 4 assists for 6 points, along with 15 shots on goal, while averaging around 12 minutes of ice time per game. His 58% Corsi For percentage at 5-on-5 also shows that he has been effective in tilting the ice in the Leafs’ favor.
The main concern with Pacioretty is his consistency—at 35 years old, he seems to follow a few strong performances with an off game, making his long-term impact difficult to predict.
Oliver Ekman-Larsson
After two disappointing seasons with the Vancouver Canucks, where his play seemed to be in decline, Oliver Ekman-Larsson was bought out by the Canucks following the 2022-23 season. He found a new home with the Florida Panthers, where he managed to revitalize his career by playing sheltered minutes on a defensively strong team. Ekman-Larsson played a key role in helping the Panthers win the Stanley Cup last season.
This summer, the Leafs signed Ekman-Larsson to a sizable four-year contract—one that many considered risky at the time. However, after his first month in Toronto, Ekman-Larsson has exceeded expectations. He is currently tied with Morgan Rielly for the most points by a Leafs defenseman, with 6 points, and has been used in all situations—power play, penalty kill, and even strength. Although his strong start has recently leveled off, his overall performance has been a pleasant surprise, especially considering the low expectations surrounding his arrival.
Timothy Liljegren
One of the most unexpected stories of the Leafs’ season is the trade of Timothy Liljegren. It’s not about his performance on the ice—Liljegren had shown promise in recent seasons, particularly after being mentored by veteran Mark Giordano. In the last few years, Liljegren had accumulated 14 goals and 50 assists for 64 points, developing into a solid contributor on defense.
What makes this a surprise is that the Leafs traded away the 25-year-old defenseman without giving him a chance to play this season. Having spent years carefully developing Liljegren as a former first-round pick, the decision to part ways with him raised eyebrows. Given his solid past performances and untapped potential, many believed he could still grow into a key player for the Leafs.
Unfortunately, due to salary cap constraints and his apparent falling out with head coach Craig Berube, Liljegren became the unexpected casualty of Toronto’s season. It’s a move that could come back to haunt the Leafs, particularly as Liljegren still has yet to hit his prime years.