Can the Toronto Maple Leafs be Stanley Cup dark horses? 5 reasons why

The Toronto Maple Leafs have been a perennial playoff team in recent years, but they haven't made it past the first round of the postseason since 2004.

However, with some key additions and improvements to their roster, the Leafs could be Stanley Cup contenders in 2023.

Here are five reasons why the Toronto Maple Leafs can be dangerous:

#1 Elite scoring power

Led by Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, the Toronto Maple Leafs have one of the most potent offenses in the league. Matthews is one of the best goal-scorers in the NHL, and Marner is a dynamic playmaker who can set up his teammates with ease.

With these two leading the way, the Toronto Maple Leafs have the firepower to outscore any team in the league on any given night. With Ryan O’Reilly coming into the fold, the Leafs offense is as potent as ever.

#2 Improved goaltending

The Toronto Maple Leafs have struggled with inconsistent goaltending in recent years, but with the addition of Ilya Samsonov and the emergence of Joseph Woll, the team's goaltending situation is looking much more stable.

Samsonov has been solid since coming to Toronto in free agency, and Woll has shown great promise as a backup. If both players continue to develop, the Leafs could have a strong tandem in net.

#3 Defensive upgrades

The Toronto Maple Leafs have made some key additions to their defense in recent years, including T.J. Brodie and Mark Giordano. These two players bring a physical presence and strong defensive abilities to the team, which should help the Leafs limit their opponents' scoring chances.

Additionally, the continued development of Rasmus Sandin and Timothy Liljegren could give the Leafs a solid young core on the blue line.

#4 Leadership

The Toronto Maple Leafs have added some veteran leadership to their roster in recent years, including Joe Thornton and Wayne Simmonds. This season, the Maple Leafs have added players like Mark Giordano, Jordie Benn, Noel Accaiari, and, of course, Ryan O’Reilly.

Compared to recent years in which the Maple Leafs only focused on improving skill in the locker room and not the talent on the ice per se, the Leafs have now found the right pieces that fit perfectly into their lineup while also providing the team with a crucial leadership component.

#5 Strong coaching

Head coach Sheldon Keefe has done a good job of getting the most out of his players in his time with the Maple Leafs. He has shown a willingness to adjust his game plan and adapt to different situations, which should serve the team well in the playoffs. With Keefe at the helm, the Leafs have a coach who can lead them to success.

While there are no guarantees in hockey, the Toronto Maple Leafs have the potential to be Stanley Cup contenders in 2023. With elite scoring power, improved goaltending, defensive upgrades, veteran leadership, and strong coaching, the Leafs have the pieces in place to make a deep playoff run and potentially bring the Cup back to Toronto for the first time since 1967.