2024-25 Maple Leafs Season Preview, Predictions, & Odds

The Toronto Maple Leafs hope things will be different in 2024-25. 

While fans, pundits, and sports bettors have been saying that for years, there’s quiet optimism this will be the season the Maple Leafs make it past the second round of the playoffs, which they haven’t achieved since 2002. 

But first, they must get through the 82-game regular season in good shape under new head coach Craig Berube. 

Toronto Maple Leafs Futures Odds

Point Total: 101.5

Atlantic Division: +270

Eastern Conference: +700

Stanley Cup: +1500

The Maple Leafs will enter the regular season with +270 hockey odds to win the Atlantic Division and +700 NHL odds to represent the Eastern Conference in the Stanley Cup Final. 

I like the chances of the former happening but not the latter. 

Toronto Maple Leafs Offseason Moves

Hiring Berube to take over as head coach after firing Sheldon Keefe was the most critical offseason move. Keefe was excellent in the regular season but couldn’t find success in the playoffs, leaving Toronto with a subpar 16-21 postseason record. 

Berube, the 2019 Stanley Cup winner as the St. Louis Blues’ interim head coach, has a wealth of experience and knows how to get the most out of each player. One of the best motivators, Berube has a no-tolerance policy for passengers.

Everyone will be expected to get with the program, buying into his highly disciplined, hard-working mantra. 

The Maple Leafs strengthened their defence by adding Chris Tanev, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and Jani Hakanpää.

All three are tailor-suited for the playoffs and should add the grittiness, tenacity, and hard-nosed defensive edge the team has been missing for years. 

Toronto Maple Leafs Additions

Toronto Maple Leafs Departures

Toronto Maple Leafs 2024-25 Betting Prediction

Prediction: Over 101.5 points (-110)

I predict the Maple Leafs will finish the season with at least 102 points but fall just short of winning the Atlantic Division. 

There are still too many uncertainties about starting netminder Joseph Woll for me to back the Maple Leafs to unseat the Florida Panthers as division winners. 

The 26-year-old played only 25 games last season, missing three months due to a high-ankle sprain. 

While he has the potential to be an elite NHL goaltender, Woll has to prove he can consistently lead his team at a high level throughout an entire 82-game season. He’s played just 36 games since his 2021-22 debut.

But at least the Maple Leafs’ concerns shouldn’t stretch beyond the crease in 2024-25. Woll will be protected by a mostly accomplished and seasoned defensive crew led by new signings Tanev, Ekman-Larsson, and Hakanpää.

It’s not entirely rosy on the blue line for the Maple Leafs, as Tanev and Ekman-Larsson are 34 and 33, respectively. Also, Tanev has a history of injuries the Maple Leafs hope don’t resurface. 

Toronto signed Anthony Stolarz as their backup between the pipes. He’s been excellent in the last three seasons in that role, especially last year with the Cup-winning Panthers. 

And there’s absolutely no concern about where the goals are coming from. Auston Matthews, the runaway 2024-25 Rocket Richard Trophy odds favourite and newly appointed captain, scored 69 goals last season, spearheading the league’s second-best offence (3.63 goals per game). 

Newly-named @MapleLeafs captain Auston Matthews is fresh off a career-high 69 tallies and can become the fastest active player to reach the 400-goal milestone this season.

Read more in the 2024-25 Season Preview #NHLStats Pack: https://t.co/aLFA84HlJV pic.twitter.com/d7IT6OiJgA

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) September 13, 2024

Mitch Marner looks as though he’s staying put, and the rest of the Maple Leafs’ offence remains largely intact. 

One facet the Buds must improve is their play on home ice. They had the 18th-ranked points percentage (.585) in home games, tied with the Nashville Predators. 

However, Berube should instill the stability, discipline, and consistency required to solve that bugbear. 

Back the Buds to secure at least 102 points in the regular season, as it’s my best online sportsbook wager. 

I still don’t think they have what it takes to represent the Eastern Conference in the Stanley Cup Final, though. 

Berube is an excellent coach, but he’s not a miracle worker. That achievement will take a few precursory close-but-no-cigar runs.