by Mike Jack, Mike Jack's Hockey Articles
The Toronto Maple Leafs, who have missed the play-offs for three consecutive seasons for the first time in over 80 years, have decided to rebuild with youth this off-season. As a result, the expectations placed on the Leafs will be even lower than the last couple seasons and we'll be seeing 8 or 9 new faces in the line-up. They've also given a face lift to their coaching staff, management and scouting staff.
Key Additions: Jeff Finger (D), Niklas Hagman (LW), Mikhail Grabovski (C), Jonas Frogren (D), Curtis Joseph (G), Jamal Mayers (RW), Ryan Hollweg (LW), Mike Van Ryn (D).
The Leafs greatest off-season pick up may be defenseman, Jeff Finger. The Leafs have been missing a defensive specialist on their back end for some time now and Finger was the best free agent defensive defenseman in their 20's available. Jonas Frogren will also provide a much needed defensive game. Hagman and Mayers are both physical players that can contribute offensively, while Hollweg will replace Wade Belak as the teams primary enforcer. Grabovski is a fast and creative youngster and could end up on Toronto's top line. Curtis (CuJo) Joseph returns but this time as a back-up to Vesa Toskala. He'll prove to be more reliable than former back-up, Andrew Raycroft. Mike Van Ryn will have to improve his defensive game if he wants to see ice time in Wilson's defensive system.
Key Departures: Bryan McCabe (D), Darcy Tucker (W), Andrew Raycroft (G), Kyle Wellwood (C).
McCabe's horrible defensive play has seen him leave town via a trade to Florida. The oft-injured Darcy Tucker was bought out in order to make room for youth and free up cap space. Raycroft was not a reliable back-up when Toskala suffered an injury last season, so he was bought out as well. Despite Wellwood's youth and potential, he was waived by the team because he's often injured and lacks interest in conditioning and rehabilitation.
Top Prospects: Nikolai Kulemin (W), Luke Schenn (D), Justin Pogge (G), John Mitchell (F)
Kulemin will most likely play on one of Toronto's top two lines after his excellent season in the Russian League last year. He's fast, tough and can score some goals. Head Coach, Ron Wilson has said Toronto's top pick in this year's draft, Luke Schenn, will not play for the Leafs this season unless he proves he can be one of the team's top four defenseman. So far in the pre-season, he's making a great case for himself. Justin Pogge will be the starter on the Leafs farm team, the Toronto Marlies. If Toskala happens to suffer an injury this season, you can bet that Pogge will see some NHL action.
Potential Line-Up:
Forward Lines:
Ponikarovsky/Grabovski/Antropov
Hagman/Steen/Kulemin
Tlusty/Stajan/Blake
Hollweg/Moore/Mayers
Defensive Pairings:
Kaberle/Finger
Kubina/Colaiacovo
Stralman/Frogren
Goaltenders:
Toskala, Joseph
Scratches:
Van Ryn, White, Bell, Devereaux
What Next?:
Toronto has a lot of cap room, but I wouldn't expect them to spend it unless it's on Mats Sundin. The only other move that may take place in the Leafs' near future would be to trade a defenseman if Luke Schenn can crack the line-up when the season starts.
Overall:
Since this is considered a rebuilding year for Toronto, there are very low expectations. The team will most likely not make the play-offs again this season. Although, Ron Wilson is a specialist at making underdog teams over achieve. Wilson will make the Leafs a great defensive team, and with a great goaltender like Vesa Toskala anything can happen.
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The Toronto Maple Leafs, who have missed the play-offs for three consecutive seasons for the first time in over 80 years, have decided to rebuild with youth this off-season. As a result, the expectations placed on the Leafs will be even lower than the last couple seasons and we'll be seeing 8 or 9 new faces in the line-up. They've also given a face lift to their coaching staff, management and scouting staff.
Key Additions: Jeff Finger (D), Niklas Hagman (LW), Mikhail Grabovski (C), Jonas Frogren (D), Curtis Joseph (G), Jamal Mayers (RW), Ryan Hollweg (LW), Mike Van Ryn (D).
The Leafs greatest off-season pick up may be defenseman, Jeff Finger. The Leafs have been missing a defensive specialist on their back end for some time now and Finger was the best free agent defensive defenseman in their 20's available. Jonas Frogren will also provide a much needed defensive game. Hagman and Mayers are both physical players that can contribute offensively, while Hollweg will replace Wade Belak as the teams primary enforcer. Grabovski is a fast and creative youngster and could end up on Toronto's top line. Curtis (CuJo) Joseph returns but this time as a back-up to Vesa Toskala. He'll prove to be more reliable than former back-up, Andrew Raycroft. Mike Van Ryn will have to improve his defensive game if he wants to see ice time in Wilson's defensive system.
Key Departures: Bryan McCabe (D), Darcy Tucker (W), Andrew Raycroft (G), Kyle Wellwood (C).
McCabe's horrible defensive play has seen him leave town via a trade to Florida. The oft-injured Darcy Tucker was bought out in order to make room for youth and free up cap space. Raycroft was not a reliable back-up when Toskala suffered an injury last season, so he was bought out as well. Despite Wellwood's youth and potential, he was waived by the team because he's often injured and lacks interest in conditioning and rehabilitation.
Top Prospects: Nikolai Kulemin (W), Luke Schenn (D), Justin Pogge (G), John Mitchell (F)
Kulemin will most likely play on one of Toronto's top two lines after his excellent season in the Russian League last year. He's fast, tough and can score some goals. Head Coach, Ron Wilson has said Toronto's top pick in this year's draft, Luke Schenn, will not play for the Leafs this season unless he proves he can be one of the team's top four defenseman. So far in the pre-season, he's making a great case for himself. Justin Pogge will be the starter on the Leafs farm team, the Toronto Marlies. If Toskala happens to suffer an injury this season, you can bet that Pogge will see some NHL action.
Potential Line-Up:
Forward Lines:
Ponikarovsky/Grabovski/Antropov
Hagman/Steen/Kulemin
Tlusty/Stajan/Blake
Hollweg/Moore/Mayers
Defensive Pairings:
Kaberle/Finger
Kubina/Colaiacovo
Stralman/Frogren
Goaltenders:
Toskala, Joseph
Scratches:
Van Ryn, White, Bell, Devereaux
What Next?:
Toronto has a lot of cap room, but I wouldn't expect them to spend it unless it's on Mats Sundin. The only other move that may take place in the Leafs' near future would be to trade a defenseman if Luke Schenn can crack the line-up when the season starts.
Overall:
Since this is considered a rebuilding year for Toronto, there are very low expectations. The team will most likely not make the play-offs again this season. Although, Ron Wilson is a specialist at making underdog teams over achieve. Wilson will make the Leafs a great defensive team, and with a great goaltender like Vesa Toskala anything can happen.
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