Fantasy Report Card - Toronto Maple Leafs
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theScore will be giving out fantasy report cards discussing the fantasy value of key players on each of the 30 teams. This edition focuses on the Toronto Maple Leafs.
ANA | ARI | BOS | BUF | CGY | CAR | CHI | COL | CLB | DAL | DET | EDM | FLA| LA | MIN | MTL | NAS | NJ | NYI | NYR | OTT | PHI | PIT | SJ | STL | TB | TOR | VAN | WAS | WPG
G Frederik Andersen
Andersen has been everything the Leafs expected and more. He was dreadful in the first five games of the season, but since then he is 14-7-3 with a .939 save percentage. He has started 29 of Toronto's 35 games this season. The Dane has been one of the most reliable goaltenders in all of fantasy, despite his team's defensive zone deficiencies. Grade: A-
C Auston Matthews
Matthews has lived up to his expectations. The No. 1 overall pick already has 18 goals and 12 assists in 35 games. He is among the league leaders in shots on goal and fantasy owners can expect him to get better as the season goes on. He is both physically and mentally mature beyond his years. At 19, he is already one of the game's elite fantasy producers. Grade: A+
LW James van Riemsdyk
JVR is on pace to match his career high of 30 goals set back in 2013-14. With more talent around him compared to previous years, it's not surprising that he has improved his production. Grade: B
C Nazem Kadri
Playing fewer minutes in a shutdown role has somehow helped Kadri's offensive game. He is on pace for 30 goals, which would shatter his career high of 20. He was bound to get some luck on his side after finishing with a 6.5 shooting percentage last season. In addition to his goal scoring, he provides plenty of shots, hits and PIMs for banger leagues. Grade: B+
C/RW Mitchell Marner
Many thought Marner's slight frame wouldn't hold up in the NHL as a 19-year-old. With a boatload of skill and an advanced hockey IQ, he has proved his doubters wrong. He has benefited from playing on a line with two veterans (van Riemsdyk and Tyler Bozak), but has arguably been the line's best player with 26 points in 35 games. Grade: A-
C/RW William Nylander
Nylander has spent a good chunk of the season in Mike Babcock's doghouse, but he has still been able to produce offensively - in large part due to his power-play prowess. Fourteen of his 24 points have come with the man advantage. The slick Swede doesn't play on a line with Matthews these days, but it hasn't affected his fantasy value in a dramatic way. Grade: B+
C Tyler Bozak
Bozak has never reached the 50-point mark in a single season. He has come close multiple times though. He does have a solid chance to do so this season, but with the depth at the center position, he is only worthy as a streaming option in season-long leagues. Grade: C
D Jake Gardiner
Gardiner is well on his way to setting career highs in goals, assists and points this season. He is one of the best skaters in the entire league and plays for one of the fastest teams in the NHL. He is still prone to defensive-zone gaffs, but fantasy owners don't mind as long as he produces. Eight of his 18 points have come on the power play. Grade: B+
D Morgan Rielly
Rielly is also one of the league's best skaters. He is on pace to set a career high in assists, but he has scored just one goal. His 1.3 shooting percentage is bound to improve, but his shot is inferior to Gardiner's. What he has lacked in goal scoring he has made up for with 61 blocked shots. Grade: C+
Player to watch - C/LW Zach Hyman
Hyman is not the most talented player on the Leafs, but he might be the hardest working. He has 84 shots this season, but just five goals. He is getting 3.78 individual scoring chances for per 60 minutes at 5v5, per Corsica.Hockey. Playing exclusively on Matthews' LW, it wouldn't be shocking if he finished with 20 goals and provided excellent daily fantasy value the rest of the way.