Stock Watch for Top 6 Forwards for the Toronto Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs are dangerously close to becoming a contender in the NHL's Eastern Conference. Despite some early-season valleys, the club has been peaking over the past month or so.

The Leafs are just two points out of first in the Atlantic Division and five points out of the conference lead heading into Tuesday night's action. The team has been an offensive juggernaut. Other than the Tampa Bay Lightning, no team has scored as often as the Leafs.

Offence has come from both the defence corps and the forward group. While a number of forwards have spent time on the team's top two lines, a group has emerged to fill the key offensive roles for the team. Because he's out due to injury, we'll exclude Leo Komarov from this list despite his hybrid status as a second- or third-line winger.

Let's do a stock watch for the Leafs' top six forwards.

6. Daniel Winnik, Winger

Graig Abel/Getty Images

Stock: Rising

Daniel Winnik has not been one of the top offensive performers for the Leafs in 2014-15. But increasingly, he has displayed some offensive upside along with strong two-way play.

The former Anaheim Ducks forward has averaged 15:59 in ice time while compiling a plus-11 rating. He's also put up 12 points in a secondary role for Toronto.

Winnik's shooting percentage is just 2.9 after 28 games. His career average of 5.8 indicates he should score at a higher rate in the final 50 games of the season. Look for Winnik to be counted upon to play a 200-foot game and chip in offensively as the Leafs make a push for the playoffs.

5. Joffrey Lupul, Winger

Graig Abel/Getty Images

Stock: Flat

It's been a frustrating season for Joffrey Lupul in that he's once again had to battle injuries while trying to regain his status as a dominant winger.

Lupul put up 67 points in 66 games in 2011-12, but he's been unable to duplicate that level of offensive production since.

The former Medicine Hat Tiger has very good chemistry with Nazem Kadri when both players are clicking. Those games have been rare in 2014-15. Lupul has 11 points in 18 games, but he's taken just 43 shots in those 18 contests. Lupul has a great release and is a true sniper. That shooting frequency is well under is pace from the past two seasons.

He needs to shoot more and take advantage of a very good shooting percentage (14.0).

Lupul has more to give, but he's still rounding into midseason form. Leafs fans are hoping his stock begins to rise rather than continue to flatline.

4. Nazem Kadri, Centre

Graig Abel/Getty Images

Stock: Rising

Nazem Kadri has shown steady growth in 2014-15. He's no longer being sheltered as he once was by head coach Randy Carlyle.

Kadri faced both Henrik Zetterberg and Anze Kopitar on several shifts in his past two games. While Kadri wasn't dominant in those games, he more than held his own in posting two points in two games. He was not overpowered by either of those stars.

The former London Knight has all of the tools to be a point-per-game scorer at the NHL level. He now has 17 even-strength points. With 19 points overall, there is a lot of room to improve on the power play.

Kadri's 200-foot game has emerged very slowly at the professional level, but it looks like he is finally understanding that playing a more complete game will allow him to become an elite NHL centre.

The immediate future looks very bright for Kadri.

3. Tyler Bozak, Centre

Dave Reginek/Getty Images

Stock: Flat

Tyler Bozak has developed into a solid top-six forward. Questions remain about his suitability to be a top-line centre on a very good team. As the Leafs continue to progress as a team, this scrutiny will intensify.

Nazem Kadri has been knocking on the door as a top-line centre. This won't change any time soon. Bozak has good chemistry with winger Phil Kessel, but Kessel's talent level likely meshes well with a number of top playmaking pivots.

Bozak has 25 points in 30 games and an even plus/minus rating. Bozak has been cold lately, though, with just one assist in his past five games. The team's great play has not been dependent on Bozak's offensive contributions.

The Regina, Saskatchewan, native isn't doing anything terrible, but he's been average on most nights in December. Based on recent campaigns, Bozak is likely to continue in his hot-cold offensive pattern.

2. James van Riemsdyk, Winger

USA TODAY Sports

Stock: Rising

From an offensive standpoint, James van Riemsdyk has been one of the better power forwards in the NHL over the past two seasons. JVR was great at the 2014 Sochi Olympics, where he had seven points in six games against the world's best players.

The former Philadelphia Flyers draft pick has 87 points in his last 110 NHL games. With five points in his last four games, Van Riemsdyk has been an offensive leader for Toronto.

When JVR is engaged physically and moving his feet, he's one of the top wingers in the game. That has been the case on many nights in 2014-15.

With the Leafs in the thick of the race for the Atlantic Division crown, expect more inspired play from the Middletown, New Jersey, native. 

1. Phil Kessel, Winger

USA TODAY Sports

Stock: Flat

Phil Kessel is never going to win the Selke Trophy as the NHL's best defensive forward. Ultimately, that's not what he's paid to do. While a little more defensive awareness would be nice—especially in tight games in the third period—the club needs Kessel to score goals and play in the offensive zone.

The entire first line struggles to play two-way hockey on many nights. If the unit has Dion Phaneuf and Cody Franson anchoring it from the point, this helps, but more often than not, the first line spends too much time in its own end, per this CorsiHockeyLeague.com article.

Kessel has 31 points in 30 games and a minus-three rating. Once again, he's one of the top offensive wingers in the NHL. Few players have produced like Kessel in the past five years. 

At his best, Kessel is a dynamic offensive star who is lethal on the odd-man attack. He's had four points in his last four games and is once again on pace for 80-plus points in 2014-15. 

He's no Jonathan Toews, but he is one of the top offensive players in the game. Leaf fans have to be satisfied with that.

All stats can be found on NHL.com unless noted otherwise.