The Maple Leafs rebounded from a last place finish in 2016 to getting to the playoffs for the first time in four years due mostly to the exploits of a roster heavily populated with rookies, including Calder Trophy nominee Auston Matthews, forwards William Nylander, Mitch Marner, Connor Brown, Zach Hyman and defenseman Nikita Zaitsev.
The rookie invasion in Toronto has GM Lou Lamoriello in a fortuitous position entering the expansion draft, as his club does not have any players with no-movement clauses, most of the youngsters are exempt from being selected and that allows the Leafs to protect most of their veterans.