Following their exciting 4-3 comeback win in overtime against the Washington Capitals, the Toronto Maple Leafs have improved to a respectable 10-6-2 record. The victory came after overcoming adversity, including goals being called back and facing an undefeated goaltender in Logan Thompson. Despite some disappointing aspects of their play so far, the Leafs are currently sitting among the top five in the Eastern Conference and top eight in the NHL.

With the Florida Panthers now within striking distance, the Leafs are in a good position to challenge for the division lead, though Florida holds two games in hand and has been more dominant in their wins.

The team’s success has been bolstered by surprising contributions from players like free-agent signings Anthony Stolarz and Oliver Ekman-Larsson, as well as second-year player Matthew Knies. Along with the strong performances from the core group and an on-fire Morgan Rielly, there’s a lot to be optimistic about for the Leafs and their fans.

However, despite the team’s overall success, there have been a few players whose performances have fallen short of expectations. In this piece, we’ll examine three Maple Leafs players who have struggled so far this season. Hopefully, they can find their form and become valuable contributors once again.

Nick Robertson

After struggling to secure a permanent spot in the NHL in previous seasons, Nick Robertson finally made his mark with the Toronto Maple Leafs during the 2023-24 season, playing 56 games and contributing 14 goals and 13 assists for 27 points. His secondary scoring was a crucial factor, as the majority of the Leafs’ offensive production came from the top two lines.

This summer, Robertson’s request for a trade caused some controversy, but he ultimately re-signed with the Leafs. Following his mini-breakout last season, expectations were high for Robertson in 2024-25, especially after an impressive training camp where he scored 5 goals in just 4 preseason games, showing strong offensive potential.

However, since the start of the regular season, Robertson’s offensive production has been a letdown. In 15 games, he has scored only 1 goal on 21 shots, averaging just under 12 minutes of ice time per game. At his current pace, he’s on track for only 5 goals and as many points for the season—far below expectations for a player aiming to solidify his place in the NHL.

Despite the disappointing stats, Robertson’s overall performance hasn’t been poor. He has been winning his minutes and holds a 50% expected goals rating. However, he has been paired with struggling teammates, Pontus Holmberg and Max Domi, limiting his offensive opportunities. A run with the top players, like Matthews, Marner, or Tavares, could provide him with a better chance to succeed. While his goal tally is underwhelming, his overall play has been solid, and there’s still hope for improvement moving forward.

Pontus Holmberg

After a solid rookie season in 2022-23, where he posted 5 goals and 13 points in 37 games, Pontus Holmberg appeared to be making progress in his NHL career. In 2023-24, he became a more consistent presence in the Leafs’ lineup, recording 7 goals and 17 points over 54 games. Though his production didn’t reach the expected growth, Holmberg still provided some offensive support from the bottom-six and managed to secure a spot on the playoff roster. However, he failed to record a point in seven postseason games against the Boston Bruins.

Entering the 2024-25 season, Holmberg earned a regular spot on the Leafs after a solid training camp. Unfortunately, his performance so far has been underwhelming. The team struggles when he’s on the ice, as they get out-possessed, out-shot, and out-chanced. Holmberg’s 39% expected goals (xGoals) rating is the worst among Leafs forwards, which has raised concerns about his place in the lineup. His lack of production is evident, with only 1 assist in 15 games before finally earning his second assist against the Capitals, which was largely set up by John Tavares.

If Holmberg continues at this pace, he’s on track to finish the season with only 10 points—far below expectations for a third-year player. Additionally, his 48% Corsi For percentage and a poor 39% expected goals rate in 5-on-5 play suggest that he is not contributing effectively. Without significant improvement, Holmberg’s regular spot in the lineup could be at risk as more players return from injury.

Max Domi

Max Domi, one of the Leafs’ key signings during the 2024 offseason, was expected to play a larger role in their offensive attack following a strong second half of the 2023-24 season. Domi posted 4 goals, 18 assists, and 22 points in the final 28 games while firing off 62 shots on goal and averaging just over 15 minutes of ice time. With a four-year, $15 million contract, the Leafs anticipated Domi would contribute significantly this season.

However, Domi has been one of the biggest disappointments for the team so far. Through 18 games, he has only 6 assists and 23 shots on goal, while his ice time has been comparable to last season. On pace for fewer than 30 points, this would mark the lowest offensive output of his career, excluding the 2020-21 COVID-shortened season.

The most concerning aspect is that Domi hasn’t just been relegated to bottom-six minutes; he’s had plenty of time with the top-six, particularly in the absence of Auston Matthews due to an injury. Despite these opportunities, Domi has gone pointless in his last 12 games, often failing to make an impact. Given his $3.75 million salary, his lack of production is troubling for a Leafs team that relies on him to contribute offensively. If Domi doesn’t turn things around soon, he could become a trade candidate or even a potential buyout option in the future.