Toronto Maple Leafs ready to push for the post-season
After the Toronto Maples Leafs finished dead last in the Eastern Conference last season, major changes at the end of the campaign and continued modifications in the off-season have brought a new sense of hope to a team that has not seen the post-season since the lockout.
General manager Brian Burke has continued to adhere to his promise of revamping the Maple Leafs, leading many to believe that for the first time in years the club has a legitimate chance of challenging for a play-off spot.
Roster changes
The Leafs started the off-season with a bang, trading away Victor Stalberg and two prospects to Chicago for Kris Versteeg. Burke also let go of veterans Rickard Wallin, Ben Ondrus, and Jamie Lundmark.
The Leafs' GM then got to work in the free agent market signing Colby Armstrong, Brett Lebda and a slew of youngsters that includes Finnish goaltending prospect Jussi Rynnas, and German Olympian Marcel Mueller.
Leaf’s fans are also waiting on a trade featuring arguably the squad’s best player, Tomas Kaberle. Nevertheless, he is in the line-up for now.
Forward
The Leafs still have some work to do upfront, however they look younger, and more promising than last season.
The first line is likely to remain the same, with Tyler Bozak centring Kulemin, and sniper Phil Kessel. The second line will have Mikhail Grabovski at centre with new additions Versteeg and Armstrong on the wings.
The third line meanwhile is a toss-up. Rookie Nazim Kadri is expected to make the jump to the National Hockey League from junior, and take over third-line centre duties. Defensive specialist Fredrik Sjostrom is likely to play the right-wing, however the left side is a toss up between several youngsters. The most probable candidate is Luca Caputi who filled the position at the end of the season. Nevertheless, he will be challenged by Mueller, Christian Hanson and rookie Jerry D’Amigo.
The fourth line will have Mitchell at centre, surrounded by tough guy Colton Orr, and the newly acquire Mike Brown.
Defence
The Maple Leafs have an impressive defence-core that is sure to be an upgrade from last season.
The first unit is pencilled in as Dion Phaneuf, and Kaberle, while the second pairing is expected to be veterans Francois Beauchemin, and Mike Komisarek. The third unit will be made up of youngsters Luke Schenn, and Carl Gunnarsson.
Meanwhile, Jeff Finger and Lebda will act as competent substitutes if there is an injury.
Goalie
The goal tending in 2010-11 will be split between veteran and former Conn Smythe Trophy winner J.S. Giguere, and sophomore Jonas Gustavsson. Both netminders are expected to push one another throughout the course of the campaign, and should each see at least 35 games.
Can the Leafs get back to the play-offs?
Upfront the Maple Leafs still have a lot of question marks. Someone is going to have to step up and take the pressure off of Kessel in the goal scoring department. Burke hopes that Versteeg will be able to improve on his 20 goal campaign from a year ago.
At the back end the Leafs simply need to perform. They have the skill to be one of the best defensive teams in the league, they just need to deliver. Phaneuf, and Kaberle will be a potent force on the power play, while Beauchemin, Komisarek, Gunnarsson, and Schenn, are certainly quality depth defenders.
In net the Leafs are expected to be better than last season. Giguere is solid all around, while Gustavsson should be better after experiencing a full year in the NHL.
Expect the Leafs to hover around the eighth spot throughout the season. Nonetheless, they are likely to miss out once again, but this time only by one place, as they will end the season in ninth.
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