The Toronto Maple Leafs training camp is underway, but will there be any surprises that make the roster?
The 2021-22 season is the biggest campaign in recent memory. Although you could say the same thing for the past five years, this could be a make-or-break year for many Toronto Maple Leafs players, coaches and management.
If things go poorly and the team misses the playoffs, all bets are off. Mitch Marner could get traded, Sheldon Keefe and Kyle Dubas could get fired and the team could move in all different directions.
However, if they make strides and finally win a playoff round, it could buy everyone another two years. Toronto is good enough to win a round, and if things get lucky, it wouldn’t be a crazy thought to see them make it to the Conference Finals, but winning an actual Stanley Cup seems outrageous.
It’s not an impossible thought that Toronto could go on a magical run and finally win a championship, but their competition is going to be fierce this year. Instead of being stuck in the North Division with four guaranteed playoff spots, the team is now back in the Atlantic Division, with only three guaranteed spots.
Instead of talking about the regular season and playoffs, let’s start with training camp. We have a pretty good idea at who’s going to crack the opening night roster, but there could be a few surprises.
Let’s look at every player invited to training camp and try to pick the forwards, defenseman and goaltenders that will be making this roster.