Maple Leafs report cards

A few earn top marks, but collectively there’s lots of room for improvement after another early exit,

If you look at a teacher’s handbook about grading, the “successful” student “demonstrates superior work” and “always” puts his “best effort” forward. Those would be “A” students.

For “B” students, it’s things like “worked very hard” or “continued to make steady progress” or “shown noticeable improvement” that stand out.

For “C” students, they require “guidance to remain focused” and “require constant supervision” and tend to “work quickly, which often results in careless mistakes.”

Other indications of the underachiever: “needs to improve work habits,” “needs to listen to directions more carefully,” and “tries do to his/her best, however, the work is difficult.”

So when it comes to the Maple Leafs, yes, they collectively look very much like C students: a pleasure to have in class, but capable of so much more.

And with that in mind, let’s grade the Leafs individually after their 2019-20 season concluded, shall we politely say, sooner than expected.

FORWARDS

› John Tavares: B Contract status: Five years left at a cap hit of $11 million (U.S.) on his sevenyear, $77-million contract. He has a nomovement clause. 2019-20 skinny: A broken hand interrupted the early part of his first season as captain. His tenacity remains unquestioned. He wasn’t going to match his career-high 47 goals of 2018-19, but still producing at close to a point a game (60 points in 63 games). Future: He’ll be the second-line centre for some time.

› Auston Matthews: A-plus Contract status: Four years left at a cap hit of $11.634 million on his five-year, $58-million contract. 2019-20 skinny: With 47 goals in 70 games, he had a shot at breaking Rick Vaive’s franchise record for goals in a season (54). The tenacity level improved this year, as did a commitment to defence and getting the puck back. Future: There are multiple 50-goal seasons to come and some Hart nominations. Doesn’t have a no-movement clause.

› Mitch Marner: A Contract status: Five years left at a cap hit of $10.893 million on his six-year, $65-million contract. 2019-20 skinny: A disappointing playoffs shouldn’t mar the fact Marner continues to create offence at an elite level. His 67 points in 59 games (1.13 ppg) matches his 94 points in 82 games of a season prior. Kills penalties, too. Future: A few Selke trophies. Should challenge for the Art Ross. His nomovement clause starts 2023-24.

› William Nylander: B Contract status: Four years left at a cap hit of $6,962,366 on his six-year, $45million extension. 2019-20 skinny: Took long steps forward in becoming a more complete player. He can create plays like Marner and shoots almost as well as Matthews. Sometimes leaves you wanting more. Future: They don’t need to trade him, but they might.

› Kasperi Kapanen: C Contract status: Two years left at a cap hit of $3.2 million on a three-year, $9.6-million extension. 2019-20 skinny: An underachieving season (13 goals, 23 assists) that saw him fall from the first line to the third. He got his footing late in the year. He didn’t hurt the team, but he didn’t take a leap forward. Future: He’d be prized fairly highly by other teams, and a move to create salary-cap space is fairly likely.

› Zach Hyman: A Contract status: One year left at a cap hit of $2.5 million on a four-year, $9-million deal. 2019-20 skinny: Had 21 goals in the shortened season — his second straight 20-goal season — despite missing 19 games due to injury. A reliable forechecker and penalty killer with a hunger to get in the faces of the opposition. Future: He’s eligible for an extension or can be an unrestricted free agent at the conclusion of the 2020-21 season. His status is Kyle Dubas’s first headache created by the flat-cap era the coronavirus pandemic created. Hyman is 28. This is his one shot at a payday.

› Andreas Johnsson: D Contract status: Three years left at a cap hit of $3.4 million on a four-year, $13.6-million extension. 2019-20 skinny: An injury-riddled season and an underwhelming performance with eight goals in 43 games. Future: His trade value is at an all-time low, but expect him to be moved by the time his modified no-trade clause starts in 2022-23.

› Alexander Kerfoot: C Contract status: Three years left at a cap hit of $3.5 million on a four-year, $14-million deal. 2019-20 skinny: Good start, bad middle, great playoff. Injuries to others forced the 26year-old higher in the lineup than he should have been. Future: If Pierre Engvall challenges for third-line centre, Kerfoot could be moved to create some cap space. Limited no-trade clause starts in 2022.

› Jason Spezza: B Contract status: Unrestricted free agent 2019-20 skinny: Sure, he has passed his best-before date, but Spezza took whatever role was assigned to him with a smile on his face. He’d do anything to win. Sports needs more athletes like him. Future: Could find a role if he signs for the minimum again.

› Kyle Clifford: B Contract status: Unrestricted free agent 2019-20 skinny: Clifford lived up to his expectations, once acquired midway through the season. Skates well enough and he’s hard to play against. The Leafs don’t have enough players like that. Future: Deserves a new salary in the $2-million to $3-million range, unaffordable by the capstrapped Leafs unless they’re willing to move a player higher in the lineup to create space.

› Frederik Gauthier: C Contract status: Restricted free agent 2019-20 skinny: Has one job: defending. Does it well, but is not a dynamic enough player for this roster. Was a healthy scratch in the final four games of the playoffs. Future: The Detroit Red Wings or Ottawa Senators will enjoy his defensive capabilities.

› Pierre Engvall: C Contract status: Heading into first year at a cap hit of $1.25 million on a twoyear, $2.5-million extension. 2019-20 skinny: Great start when called up from AHL Marlies, but slacked off considerably after he signed his extension. Chalk it up to adjusting to the league, or maybe the league adjusting to him. Future: If he’s the fourth-line centre, the Leafs are in good shape.

› Ilya Mikheyev: C Contract status: Restricted free agent 2019-20 skinny: He looked like he was on his way to a top-six role when his wrist was slashed in December, sidelining him in a freak accident. Size, speed and a killer shot. But despite a standout camp, he was dud in the qualifying round. Future: His poor playoff hurt his bargaining power, which should help Dubas keep his salary at a team-friendly rate. Unless he goes back to Russia.

› Nick Robertson: B Contract status: Three years left at an $850,000 cap hit on his entry-level contract. Did not burn a year of contract status by playing in the playoffs. 2019-20 skinny: Showed he belonged in four playoff games, scoring his first NHL goal. Speedy, skilled with a terrific shot. Future: He’ll be 19 next season, with three years of junior. That means it’s either the NHL or junior for Robertson. Betting he starts with the Leafs and they make the call on sending him to junior later.

› Denis Malgin: D Contract status: Restricted free agent 2019-20 skinny: No points in eight games with the Leafs. Future: Good luck in your future endeavours.

› Nic Petan: D Contract status: One year remaining at a cap hit of $775,000 on a two-year, $1.55-million extension. 2019-20 skinny: Played more with the Marlies (25 games) than the Leafs (16). Dubas is drawn to his skill level, even if Petan himself doesn’t quite hit his NHL potential. Future: More of the same from the 25-year-old.

GOALTENDERS

› Frederik Andersen: B Contract status: Final year at a cap hit of $5 million on a five-year, $25-million deal, with a limited no-movement clause. 2019-20 skinny: Though his playoff history is sketchy, the 30-year-old was not the reason why Toronto lost to Columbus. Andersen posted a .936 save percentage and a 1.84 GAA in the five games against the Blue Jackets. His regular season was below normal, with a .909 save percentage. Future: Like Hyman, Andersen is staring at UFA eligibility in a year. Has he run his course in Toronto, or is he worth an extension? No clear-cut successor, unless the Leafs take a leap of faith with Jack Campbell.

› Jack Campbell: B-minus Contract status: First year,at a cap hit of $1.65 million on a two-year, $3.3-million deal. 2019-20 skinny: Positive influence when he arrived in trade with the Kings. Well liked in the dressing room and went 3-2-1 in six starts while the Leafs weathered an Andersen injury. Future: He should have a larger role in the upcoming season, allowing Andersen more rest.

DEFENCE

› Morgan Rielly: B Contract status: Two years left at a cap hit of $5 million on a six-year, $30million extension. A 10-team no-trade clause kicks in next season. 2019-20 skinny: Played through a nagging injury most of the season until a broken foot in January. Limited to three goals and 27 points. The Leafs’ best defenceman in the playoffs, led team in minutes played. Key part of leadership group. Future: Defence and physical game still inconsistent but, at 26, plenty of room to grow. If the Leafs fail in playoffs again his future here is up in the air.

› Jake Muzzin: B Contract Status: Heading into first year at a cap hit of $5.625 million on a fouryear, $22.5-million extension. 2019-20 skinny: Led the team with 110 blocked shots and 109 hits while ranking third in average ice time per game at 21:36. Muzzin and Justin Holl became the team’s top shutdown pairing. Presence was missed in playoff qualifier with Columbus after suffering injury. Future: With a newly signed extension, Muzzin figures to be a pivotal piece of the blue line and a key member of the leadership group for the next four seasons.

› Justin Holl: B Contract status: Heading into first year at a cap hit of $2 million on a three-year, $6-million extension. 2019-20 skinny: Breakout season with 68 games played and 18:31 in average ice time, by far the highest mark of his career. Third on team with 83 blocked shots and third in plus-minus with plus-13. Future: Should be paired with Muzzin again next year and will likely be a fixture in the top-four defensive pairings.

› Travis Dermott: C Contract status: Restricted free agent 2019-20 skinny: Injured to start the season, he averaged 17:19 ice time. Struggled at times, but would benefit from a healthy start to 2020-21. Future: Will be resigned, but charged to improve the physical element in his game. Will also be challenged for ice time next season by Rasmus Sandin and Timothy Liljegren.

› Tyson Barrie: C Contract status: Unrestricted free agent 2019-20 skinny: Led Leafs defencemen with 39 points (five goals, 34 assists) and second to Rielly in TOI (21:53). But also led Leafs defencemen with 62 giveaways. Future: Rasmus Sandin will probably slide into Barrie’s third-pair slot.

› Cody Ceci: C Contract status: Unrestricted free agent 2019-20 skinny: Had 30 giveaways, the lowest among the regular blueliners. Was paired with Rielly for the playoffs. Doesn’t have the puck skills of Toronto’s other defencemen, but Dubas said he was “happy” with Ceci’s performance this season. Future: The Leafs will either upgrade via trade, or put more trust in Timothy Liljegren or Calle Rosen.

› Martin Marincin: C Contract status: Final year at a $700,000 cap hit after a one-year extension. 2019-20 skinny: Appeared in 26 games, matching his 2018-19 totals of one goal and 15:12 average ice time. He was eighth on the team in blocked shots (43) despite limited playing time. Generally used as an injury fill-in. Future: The Nic Petan of defencemen.

› Rasmus Sandin: C Contract status: Two years left at a cap hit of $894,167 on an entry-level deal. 2019-20 skinny: Earned a spot on season-opening roster, but was sent down before 10 games to work on his positioning and physical play in front of the net. Future: Likely to stick at the NHL level next season .

› Timothy Liljegren: D Contract status: Entry-level contract expires in 2021-22. 2019-20 skinny: Appeared in 11 games this season, averaging 10:18 in ice time. Future: With two years left on his deal, he could factor into the third pairing with Rasmus Sandin by the end of it.

HEAD COACH

á Sheldon Keefe: B Contract status: Entering second year of three-year deal. 2019-20 skinny: Established himself as a player’s coach and a counterbalance to what the core had experienced through the Mike Babcock years. Helped turn the season around immediately, though the same bad habits slowly crept in. Was never married to line combinations. Plays players to their strengths and doesn’t hold their weaknesses against them. He does have a line drawn regarding repeated mistakes. Future: If any coach is able to interpret and actualize Dubas’s vision for how this hockey team is supposed to play, it’s Keefe. The two are inexorably linked.