10 Maple Leafs worth drafting in your fantasy hockey league
With the start of the NHL season just around the corner, members of fantasy leagues will begin drafting their 2022-23 fantasy teams in the coming weeks to win their share of a cash prize pool or even just to have bragging rights over their friends.
For Leafs fans, a draft is not quite the same if you don't wind up with a Leaf or two on your squad, so here are the top Leafs players that are worth fantasy team managers spending draft picks on.
Auston Matthews, C - Projected #2 rank overall as per Yahoo Fantasy. Amassed 60 goals and was the only Leaf to surpass 100 points last season.
Mitch Marner, RW - Having the right winger to a 60-goal scorer and one of the best playmakers in the league on a fantasy team sure isn't a bad consolation prize for those who miss out on Matthews. Marner is projected to finish near 100 points again this season.
William Nylander, RW - Effective in both LW and RW slots, Nylander finished the 2021-2022 season leading the Leafs in power-play points. An 80-point player is always a prime target in fantasy. There aren't many of them!
John Tavares, C - Solidified in the top six, Tavares is bound to produce a decent amount of points this season. He remains amongst the top 25 fantasy centers according to Yahoo. If Nylander replicates his 2021-22 production, Tavares owners will be happy, as it means he'll likely be racking up points as well.
Morgan Rielly, D - As the Leafs' top producing defenseman and the only D on the 1st powerplay unit, Rielly is a solid choice for any fantasy team.
Michael Bunting, LW - Slotted in the LW on the top line, Bunting is projected to produce well alongside his 2021-22 running mates in Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner. He finished last season with 63 points and figures to at least equal that if he stays on the top line.
Alexander Kerfoot, LW - The final Leaf to reach at least 50 points last season. Kerfoot is projected #226 rank overall on Yahoo, but if given a top six position this season, has an opportunity to either replicate or improve his stats in the top-6. Worth a look in deeper leagues.
Nick Robertson, LW - Provided he has a healthy season, and with the chance that he may land in the top six, Robertson could be a sneaky good late draft pick. He has shown to produce impressive numbers in the OHL and AHL and has a lot to prove this season as he looks to secure a spot on the Leafs roster.
Matt Murray, G - Despite fans having mixed feelings about the trade with the Sens, Murray will likely be the Leafs' starting goalie this season. If he can remain healthy, he stands a pretty good chance of piling up wins for the Buds. Just don't reach on him too early, because there are question marks here.
Ilya Samsonov, G - Projected #112 rank overall and #21 amongst goalies, Samsonov may also be a solid fantasy addition given his stats as backup goalie with the Leafs. Should Murray falter or suffer an injury, Samsonov has real boom potential.
Happy drafting!
| POLL | ||
8 SEPTEMBRE | 123 ANSWERS 10 Maple Leafs worth drafting in your fantasy hockey league What's your favourite fantasy hockey format? | ||
| Head-to-Head | 58 | 47.2 % |
| Rotisserie | 14 | 11.4 % |
| Points-Only | 38 | 30.9 % |
| Keeper/Dynasty | 13 | 10.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
