You might think the Toronto Maple Leafs roster is already set, but there will likely be some surprises when the team kicks off their season on October 9 against the Montreal Canadiens.
Looking back at last year’s opening night roster, there were two unexpected inclusions.
It wasn’t shocking that Ryan Reaves made the team, but it was surprising to see Noah Gregor and Fraser Minten included.
Gregor, who joined the Leafs after a PTO, earned himself a contract. Minten, on the other hand, was expected to be sent back to juniors but started four games before spending the rest of the year with the Saskatoon Blades.
Although neither player made a significant impact in the playoffs, their initial inclusion was surprising, and similar surprises are likely this year. As the 2024-25 season approaches, several rookies and veterans could break into the lineup.
Despite the top-six being set, training camp and potential trades could significantly alter the roster.
Calle Jarnkrok, David Kampf, and Ryan Reaves should be on the trading block due to their high salaries relative to their production. While they are competent players, their combined $6M salary could be better utilized for more productive players at a lower cost.
As the Leafs prepare for the season opener, here are three players who could unexpectedly make the roster on opening night.
No. 1: Easton Cowan
While Easton Cowan’s impressive stats and accolades from last season might suggest he’s ready for the Leafs lineup, his age makes his inclusion surprising.
Cowan, who scored 34 goals and registered 96 points while earning the Red Tilson Trophy as the OHL’s Most Outstanding Player, is only 19 years old and might not yet be ready for the NHL.
Despite his outstanding skill and high potential, he still has to prove himself at the professional level. His situation is similar to Nick Robertson’s when he made the jump to the NHL.
Ideally, Cowan would continue to dominate in the OHL, lead Team Canada at the World Junior Hockey Championships this year, and then potentially join the Leafs for the playoffs. This approach would be similar to Matthew Knies, who added energy to the Leafs lineup in the playoffs, rather than following Robertson’s path.
That said, there’s still a chance Cowan makes the team and his elite skill secures him a spot in the top six. To solve their depth problems, the Leafs could move John Tavares to 3C and William Nylander to 2C, opening up a right-wing position for Cowan.
While it’s unlikely we’ll see Cowan with the team on opening night, his inclusion remains a possibility, making it a potential surprise.
No. 2: Topi Niemela
It seems like we’ve been discussing Topi Niemela forever, but the 22-year-old has only played one full professional season in North America so far. As the team’s top defensive prospect, Niemela appears ready for the NHL.
While it’s not too surprising to consider Niemela as an NHL player, it is at the moment given the team’s seemingly set defensive lineup.
The Leafs currently have six NHL defensemen on the roster. So, which player would Niemela replace among Chris Tanev, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Timothy Liljegren, Jake McCabe, Morgan Rielly, and Simon Benoit?
This seems highly unlikely, but of all the players, Benoit appears the most likely to end up in the press box, as he is at best a borderline NHL regular.
While no one hopes or predicts an injury, it’s possible that one could occur, opening the door for Niemela.
The right-handed defenseman found his groove with the Marlies last year, playing in all situations, which should excite Leafs fans. It would be a shock for Niemela to make the team’s opening night lineup, but if he performs well in training camp, he could find a way.