You might think the Toronto Maple Leafs’ roster is finalized, but there will likely be a few surprises when the team kicks off their season on October 9 against the Montreal Canadiens.
Reflecting on last year’s opening night roster, there were two notable surprises. It wasn’t just that Ryan Reaves made the team, but also that Noah Gregor and Fraser Minten did.
Gregor, initially signed on a PTO, earned a contract with his performance. Minten, who was expected to return to junior hockey, started four games with the Leafs before spending the rest of the season with the Saskatoon Blades.
Although neither player had a significant impact during the playoffs, their inclusion in the opening roster was unexpected. Looking ahead to the 2024-25 season, several rookies and a few veterans have the potential to break into the lineup and surprise fans once again.
