Toronto Maple Leafs: Assessing the Roster as Training Camp Begins
Toronto Maple Leafs: Assessing the Roster as Training Camp Begins
Last year’s opening night lineup reveals some uninspiring names, especially among the forwards.
Denis Malgin, no longer in the NHL, occupied a spot among the top six for the first few games of last season. Nicholas Aube-Kubel cracked the initial roster but was soon an ex-Leaf.
On defense, Jake Muzzin started the season but lasted only 4 games. Former first-round pick, Rasmus Sandin, lasted until the end of February when he was moved out before the trade deadline.
The Toronto Maple Leafs started last year with Matt Murray and Ilya Samsonov as a planned goaltending tandem. Injuries throughout the year saw Erik Kallgren and Joseph Woll play about a quarter of the games.
By the end of the season, after former GM Kyle Dubas rightfully loaded up for a playoff run, the lineup evolved for the better.
The roster that finished the season had much more depth, both at forward and on defense.
Mid-season acquisitions like Ryan O’Reilly, Noel Acciari, Jake McCabe, and Luke Schenn, along with the emergence of prospect Matthew Knies put the team in a much better position than when they started the year.
This past offseason saw lots of player movement. O’Reilly, Acciari, Schenn, Alex Kerfoot, and Michael Bunting left as unrestricted free agents. The Leafs had an interest in retaining some of them, but for various reasons, it didn’t work out.
That meant replacing them internally or with the signings of other free agents. Tyler Bertuzzi, Max Domi, John Klingberg, Simon Benoit, and Martin Jones were the most notable newcomers.
The Leafs potentially new lineup looks very different from where it stood last spring and drastically different from the start of last year’s camp, but does it have the look of a contender?
The Toronto Maple Leafs Lineup Still Needs Work
It’s hard to fathom that Malgin started the season on the top two lines last year, but by the playoffs, the Leafs forwards were a formidable group.
The core of Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, and John Tavares were augmented by O’Reilly, Acciari, Knies, and Bunting along with useful fourth-line pieces like Sam Lafferty.
That group had more depth and fewer question marks than the forwards that will start this year. Yet, the ceiling of this current group is much higher.
Bertuzzi may have more upside than Bunting – who knows how much room a power-forward can make for himself when Auston Matthews is drawing most of the defensive attention?
Bunting had two amazing seasons with the Leafs, but Bertuzzi has never played with this kind of talent before. Playing with the Leafs stars could see him soar to new heights.
The potential of Knies has to have the Leafs brass salivating, but he has yet to play a full NHL season.
Gone from last year’s opening lineup on defense are Muzzin, Justin Holl, and Sandin. Playoff contributor Schenn will be missed, while McCabe starts his first full year with the Leafs.
New additions Klingberg and Benoit do not inspire confidence, especially coming from one of the league’s doormats in the Anaheim Ducks.
The current depth chart on defense looks worse than both last year’s opening night lineup and the one that finished the playoffs. The main reason is its lack of versatility. One has to look really hard to see a championship-level defense.
Last year’s starting goaltending tandem of Samsonov and Murray came with lots of question marks. Staying healthy and performing competently was not guaranteed.
Samsonov fit in seamlessly and has returned but with Woll and the veteran Jones in tow. This trio comes with more stability, especially due to the emergence of Woll. If needed, Jones provides a dependable veteran goalie.
Current Outlook
Rosters are fluid throughout an NHL season. The Toronto Maple Leafs don’t need to look any further than last year for evidence.
The Leafs have a higher ceiling at forward, but less depth. Their goaltending is stronger than the start of last season, but their defense is considerably less versatile and weaker.
Next. 5 Predictions for the Upcoming Season. dark
While many see this team as a contender, there are still question marks, especially on defense. The Leafs should easily be a playoff team and finish in the top 3 of the Atlantic Division, but backend help will be needed to bring them a championship.