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Who is our regular season MVP this year?

Even with stellar goaltending, which exceeded expectations, it took both goaltenders and a fearless Tanev setting a Leafs shot blocking. Season mark. The goaltenders also benefitted from some timely bulldozing of the crease.

Willie hitting 45 goals is a great achievement, but I believe there is more there for him,, a real physical element like Pasta's, Hagel's or a killer take no prisoner Kucharov style of play but that may be just wistful thinking.

PP, PK, 5v5, hes a forward who can play defence, not the concept the actual position and the spear point of the offence.

Even with the superstar centre playing at 75% for most of the season and his offense being stunted along with it. Missing shots he normally makes and fumbling pucks on his tape that either kill zone possession and evaporate a scoring chance. Those occurrences probably cost Marner +/- a dozen points.

Marner was the chief cook and bottle washer of the Leafs offence, and most nights he was not just the best Leafs player on the ice, but the best player period. For me Marner was the Leafs MVP who will also get league MVP recognition.

Honourable mention goes to John Tavares who played his arse off and had his best season since his inaugural Leafs season. I really hope the Leafs find a way to keep him.
 
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The Shadow said:
You underestimate what Tanev has done for the entire team. Look at the leafs without Tanev and now. They are playing defense and blocking shots. He is the catalyst behind that
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They blocked 5 more shots this year than last...

Why are people putting Stolarz as a candidate for MVP if the defensive game has improved so much? Seems like he'd be a product of that.

Tanev was also on par with McCabe this year, statistically and by the eye test.

Statistically, are we even better defensively than years past? It is crazy how much we've improved defensively and in net, yet we are getting scored on at similar rates.
 
I give it to Marner, because he had a pretty consistent year, and when we were down a ton of guys, he was the one who steered the ship. Plus, he plays the most and the coach plays him in all situations. A 100 point player who’s out there at the end of a tight game, what more do you want.

I thought this was Nylander’s best year too though, not just the goals, but more jam.

Stolarz and Tanev honourable mentions.
 
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Mitch can put up 120 points and Willie 50 goals but this team is not winning the Atlantic without the goaltending Stolarz and Woll provided and the shutdown D Tanev and McCabe provided.

Given, the solid goaltending and D are combined, Mitch gets the MVP but this team is only going as far as Stolarz/Woll takes them in the playoffs. Don't forget who got them to game 7 vs Boston last year after they went down 3-1.
 
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DarkKnight said:
I give it to Marner, because he had a pretty consistent year, and when we were down a ton of guys, he was the one who steered the ship. Plus, he plays the most and the coach plays him in all situations. A 100 point player who’s out there at the end of a tight game, what more do you want.

I thought this was Nylander’s best year too though, not just the goals, but more jam.

Stolarz and Tanev honourable mentions.
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I have never seen Nylander better or more consistent than in the 39 games to start last season (before signing). It would be nice if that version showed up for these playoffs. That guy would tilt every series.

31st in Points per game with 1.02. 14 fewer points than last year.
 
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I'd go with Marner.

He was consistent for the most part. He did have a stretch where his play fell off soon after the Four Nations Tournament, but he got hot after that.

I love having Tanev on the team (I never complained about the signing and said it's really all about what he does in the first three or four years that will determine if it was a good signing or not), but I don't think you can put him above a 100+ point all-situations player who is good defensively. Tanev is as good as it gets in the defensive zone but doesn't provide much offense or carry the puck and his transition game doesn't stand out.

Stolarz deserves an honorable mention. I think he was out too long to be called the MVP (he's also in a 1a/1b situation as opposed to the clear number one).

I might consider Nylander if he didn't have that stretch early in 2025 where he kind of disappeared and a very lackluster final six games. He was second in goals in the NHL despite spending a considerable amount of time playing with guys who aren't great offensively, so I guess you can't complain.

Tavares was very solid and surprisingly productive at ES. Matthews was good when he played but didn't stand out. Maybe he's set the bar too high for his own good in the RS.
 
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Tanev

He created a reset in philosophy that Berube wanted and the team has been more committed to than in the past. He broke the Leafs record for blocked shots.

He lead the team in +/- by far even while he and McCabe were assigned the toughest forward lines to shut down, and, starting most (if I recall correctly) of their shifts in the defensive zone.

Defense wins Cups and his workmanlike contribution has been enormous.
 
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1. Marner - Good in all situations engine of the team. Led the team by a mile for points and 5th in the league for minutes played/60 among forwards (4th for minutes overall).
2. Tanev - Super underrated defender for years and solidified the D with an element missing since Muzzin had to retire. Like Marner, the team feels much worse without him in the lineup.
3. Stolarz - If he didnt miss that time with corrective surgery, he might be beating Helle for the Vezina.
4. Tavares - Continued his strong play from the end of last season as probably the best 2C in the league.
5. Nylander - Another year of high end 1st line production who would spark the team when they needed a goal.
 
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Seras said:
Had so many good players so far this season, can't even pick 3 tbh.
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Agreed. I love that there are several to choose from.

I know he's not in most people's top 5, but I really enjoyed OEL and his contributions. He's not as good on the right side, but it's hard to deny what he did when playing left. I hope he keeps it going in the playoffs.
 
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Ianturnedbull said:
Agreed. I love that there are several to choose from.

I know he's not in most people's top 5, but I really enjoyed OEL and his contributions. He's not as good on the right side, but it's hard to deny what he did when playing left. I hope he keeps it going in the playoffs.
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He's been a pleasant surprise.

Brad gets a bit of latitude for his insight into players I might not have chosen and/or viewed as the right types. This is a big reason why if they don't win a Cup, Brad should have complete confidence in walking away from some contracts as he has the ability to find strong assets to replace them.
 
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Zybalto said:
1. Marner - Good in all situations engine of the team. Led the team by a mile for points and 5th in the league for minutes played/60 among forwards (4th for minutes overall).
2. Tanev - Super underrated defender for years and solidified the D with an element missing since Muzzin had to retire. Like Marner, the team feels much worse without him in the lineup.
3. Stolarz - If he didnt miss that time with corrective surgery, he might be beating Helle for the Vezina.
4. Tavares - Continued his strong play from the end of last season as probably the best 2C in the league.
5. Nylander - Another year of high end 1st line production who would spark the team when they needed a goal.
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Yup all these guys deserve their praise. McCabe too. I really see him fairly similarly with Tanev in terms of impact from the D. Monster season.

It’s so great to see how everyone has stepped up with Matthews not being healthy all year. That said, hopefully this offseason he can correct what’s impacting his shot quality, and get back to being 60 goal, top 3-4 league MVP Matthews next year.

As for this year though - job is far from done. Let’s hope our guys can continue to step up and contend for a championship
 
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ToneDog said:
I have never seen Nylander better or more consistent than in the 39 games to start last season (before signing). It would be nice if that version showed up for these playoffs. That guy would tilt every series.

31st in Points per game with 1.02. 14 fewer points than last year.
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Yes. Gp60 this year was the same as 3 years ago and pp60 way down from when he scored a lowly 40 on 18:33 a night TO!. Not just the hot goal scoring this year but 22-23 and the first half of last season show what he can do when he is rolling. I am expecting a strong playoff from him which they will need as goals against the Sens have been scarce. Hopefully we see a big 4 tomorrow night.
 
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My vote would be Willy. Scoring 45 goals with less than stellar linemates for the most part is pretty impressive. Never complains who he gets stuck playing with and produces.
 
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A lot of really good performances this year but I’d give it to Marner by a hair. It was a great year by him.

It’s funny though, Matthews had a terrible year but was still on pace for 95 points and around 40 goals. If it was anybody else and there were lower standard, he would be in the running for team mvp for sure.
 
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Guided by Veseys said:
A lot of really good performances this year but I’d give it to Marner by a hair. It was a great year by him.

It’s funny though, Matthews had a terrible year but was still on pace for 95 points and around 40 goals. If it was anybody else and there were lower standard, he would be in the running for team mvp for sure.
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It speaks for heavily to the calibre of player Matthews is and that we rightfully expect him to be.
 
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