The Toronto Maple Leafs will start one more extremely anticipated common season on Wednesday night time in Montreal, an 82-game quest that may embrace a brand new head coach, new captain and a revamped defence.
Toronto is coming off a 46-win and 102-point end in 2023-24 however was as soon as once more eradicated within the first spherical by its rivals, the Boston Bruins. The Maple Leafs have superior to the second spherical solely as soon as of their final eight playoff collection within the “Core 4” period, consisting of Auston Matthews, William Nylander, Mitch Marner and John Tavares.
The Leafs are hoping a brand new voice and man behind the bench will change their fortunes. Craig Berube was employed to interchange Sheldon Keefe, who was let go after 5 seasons in Toronto. Keefe had no points pacing the crew through the common season with three 100-plus level finishes, however his playoff monitor report left a lot to be desired, leading to his dismissal.
With Keefe now teaching the New Jersey Devils, Berube will information the Maple Leafs via the Atlantic Division, which incorporates seemingly playoff groups, the Bruins, Tampa Bay Lightning, and the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers.
The Ottawa Senators need to get again to the playoffs with improved goaltending and a brand new head coach, whereas the up-and-coming, although nonetheless inexperienced, Detroit Purple Wings, Buffalo Sabres, and Montreal Canadiens will look to make strides.
Regardless of rampant low season hypothesis that the “Core 4” can be damaged up, trades didn’t materialize, and the Maple Leafs are working it again with Matthews, Nylander, Marner and Tavares within the fold, their sixth season as a gaggle.
Matthews enters the brand new season with a giant “C” on his chest because the group shifted its management by having a brand new voice mentor the group. On the similar time, Marner and Tavares will play out the ultimate yr of their respective contracts with an opportunity at turning into free brokers subsequent summer time. Ought to their playoff failures be repeated, change could be very effectively on the horizon.
Tanev, Ekman-Larsson spotlight improved back-end
Normal Supervisor Brad Treliving prioritized defence through the low season by bringing in a number of notable—and towering—gamers to remake the again finish and implement a brand new identification.
In are Chris Tanev (six-year, $27 million contract), Oliver Ekman-Larsson (4 years, $14 million) and Jani Hakanpää (one yr, $1.4 million), and out are T.J. Brodie (Chicago), Mark Giordano (free agent), John Klingberg (free agent), Joel Edmundson (Los Angeles) and Ilya Lyubushkin (Dallas).
Morgan Rielly, Timothy Liljegren, Simon Benoit, Jake McCabe and Conor Timmins spherical out Toronto’s defence. Different names, resembling Phillipe Myers, Dakota Mermis (presently injured), Marshall Rifai (Marlies) and Cade Webber (Marlies), are additionally within the combine and can be invaluable depth for the Maple Leafs.
The hope for Toronto is that Tanev and Rielly will set up themselves as a formidable high pairing, and Ekman-Larsson will present some much-needed offence from the again finish and second power-play unit.
Who will step up among the many forwards?
For now, Toronto’s high line of Matthew Knies, Matthews and Marner seems set in stone. Max Domi, who resigned in Toronto on a four-year, $15 million this summer time, had success flanking Matthews on the wing however will begin the season on a second line with Tavares and Nylander.
Probably the most important absence is Tyler Bertuzzi, who departed as a free agent and signed with the Chicago Blackhawks. The one different departure is Noah Gregor, who’s now with Ottawa.
The underside six is the place issues are a bit of murkier to open the brand new yr. Max Pacioretty, now 35 and coming off a number of Achilles surgical procedures, earned himself a one-year deal after being invited to coaching camp. Pontus Holmberg will heart the third line alongside pre-season stud Nick Robertson.
Robertson, who reportedly requested for a commerce in the summertime, was ultimately re-signed by the Maple Leafs and earned a spot out of camp for the primary time in his younger profession.
The fourth line will encompass newcomer Steven Lorentz, who lately signed a one-year deal coming off his PTO, penalty kill specialist David Kämpf and enforcer Ryan Reaves.
That leaves Bobby McMann because the odd man out for now, with Calle Järnkrok and Connor Dewar starting the yr on the injured record.
Prime prospect Easton Cowan didn’t make the crew and was returned to the OHL’s London Knights as he isn’t eligible to play with the Marlies. Fellow prospect Fraser Minten, who earned a stunning roster spot to kick off final season, was positioned on the injured record. He’s anticipated to be despatched to the Marlies when wholesome.
All eyes on the goalies (and their well being)
There’s immense upside and trepidation within the web for Toronto, relying on who you ask.
Joseph Woll, who carried out because the Leafs’ finest goalie when wholesome final season, opens the brand new yr because the 1A choice in web and has a chance to grab the starter’s position altogether.
A lot has been made in regards to the 26-year-old’s skill to remain wholesome after lacking a piece of final season with an ankle harm. He then suffered an undisclosed harm in Recreation 6 in opposition to the Bruins and missed Recreation 7, forcing Ilya Samsonov to begin in his place.
Treliving opted in opposition to bringing again Samsonov (now in Vegas) and changed him with Anthony Stolarz, who’s contemporary off profitable a Stanley Cup with the Panthers. Statistically, Stolarz was one of many recreation’s finest netminders final season regardless of taking part in solely 27 video games as Sergei Bobrovsky’s backup, ending with a 2.03 goals-against common and a .925 save share.
The Woll-Stolarz duo is as high-risk, high-reward because it will get. Woll enters the common season with solely 36 NHL video games to his title, whereas Stolarz, now in his ninth season, has but to begin greater than 29 video games on the NHL degree.
Each goalies have carried out very effectively when wholesome and obtainable. If the duo falter, the Maple Leafs can be in a tricky spot, but when one or each goalies stabilize Toronto’s place, it should go a great distance towards cementing their success.
Toronto resigned veteran Matt Murray this summer time, with prospect Dennis Hildeby as added goaltending depth. Martin Jones, who appeared in 22 video games with the Leafs final season, is a free agent.
Hildeby is anticipated to be relied on closely with the Marlies this season as he continues to develop. Murray will seemingly function because the Marlies’ third choice alongside prospect Artur Akhtyamov.
Projected opening lineup in Montreal
Matthew Knies – Auston Matthews – Mitch Marner
Max Domi – John Tavares – William Nylander
Max Pacioretty – Pontus Holmberg – Nick Robertson
Steven Lorentz – David Kampf – Ryan Reaves
Morgan Rielly – Chris Tanev
Oliver Ekman-Larsson – Jake McCabe
Simon Benoit – Conor Timmins
Joseph Woll, Anthony Stolarz, Dennis Hildeby
Teaching employees
Head coach: Craig Berube
Affiliate coach: Lane Lambert
Assistant coach: Marc Savard and Mike Van Ryn
Goalie coach: Curtis Sanford