Toronto Maple Leafs Preview | 
| Last Season | |
| Record | 34-35-13 |
| Points | 81 |
| Conference | 12th |
| League | 24th |
| Offense | 2.98 GPG (10th) |
| Defense | 3.49 GAA (30th) |
| Power Play | 18.8% (16th) |
| Penalty Kill | 74.7% (30th) |
| Points leader | Jason Blake – 63 |
| Goals | Jason Blake – 25 |
| Team Facts | |
| GM | Brian Burke |
| Coach | Ron Wilson |
| Arena | Air Canada Centre |
| Capacity | 18,819 |
| 08/09 attendance | 19,312 (5th) |
| AHL Affiliate | Toronto |
Departures
Pavel Kubina, Anton Stralman, Tim Stapleton, Brad May, Martin Gerber, Curtis Joseph, Boyd Devereaux, Justin Pogge
Arrivals
Phil Kessel, Tyler Bozak, Wayne Primeau, Colton Orr, Rickard Wallin, Mike Komisarek, Francois Beauchemin, Garnet Exelby, Jonas Gusstavsson, Jay Rosehill
Forwards
Brian Burke wanted to mold his team in his image. He did that this past summer. He added some much needed size and toughness with Wayne Primeau and Colton Orr. Those two will provide space for the skilled young guys, Nikolai Kulemin, Mikhail Grabovski, Viktor Stalberg and Tyler Bozak. The costly Phil Kessel trade give the Leafs a legitimate top-six sniper. It remains to be seen how Kessel will cope with the Toronto media scrutiny. Jason Blake returned to a more reasonable 25 goals last season and should be about the same this year. Alexei Ponikarovsky is a perennial 20 goal scorer. Overall this group of forwards is much more talented and tough than last year’s squad.
Defenseman
The Leafs have eight quality NHL defensemen. Tomas Kaberle will have more time and space thanks to the toughness up front. Francois Beauchemin gives the Leafs the shot from the point they lacked after shipping out Bryan McCabe last fall. Mike Komisarek and Garnet Exelby will have the opposition constantly looking over their shoulders as they head into the corners. Luke Schenn was good as an 18-year-old, he’s going to be even better this season playing beside Komisarek. He won’t have to drop the gloves as often as he did last season either.
Goalies
Vesa Toskala is healthy after shutting down his season back at the trade deadline last year. Gone is the once future of the franchise, Justin Pogge. In come a “Monster” in Jonas Gustavsson. Gustavsson had a minor heart procedure but has looked good in his limited action this fall. The Swedish netminder will push Toskala for the number one job.
Strengths
- This team won’t be pushed around this season. Something Burke felt happened a lot last year. They are bigger, stronger and a lot meaner as every player knows what Burke likes and they want to keep their spot on the roster.
- After finishing last in both defensive categories last year Burke addressed his needs and the Leafs are much better from the net out. New goaltending coach Francios Allaire will help Gustavsson quickly adapt to the North American style.
Weaknesses
- Special teams were awful last year. On paper the team should be better this season. However, with their new found toughness a slew of extra penalties is sure to follow. They will have to be more disciplined and markedly better a killing penalties if they want to stay in games.
- They have added some skilled players but only Kessel has proven himself and he’s out until late November. Jason Blake isn’t more than a 25 goal scorer same with Poni. It will have to be scoring by committee if the Leafs want to be successful.
Analysis
They will be more entertaining to watch this season. Intimidation will be the name of the game once the season starts this Thursday. If Toskala can regain his form of two years ago or if Gustavsson steals the show the Leafs could contend for one of the final playoff spots. But, a lack of scoring will keep them on out of the playoffs for a record fifth straight year, sixth if you count the lockout.
Prediction: 12th in the East
Topics: Brian Burke, Jason Blake, Jonas Gustavsson, Luke Schenn, Mike Komisarek, NHL Preview, Tomas Kaberle, Toronto Maple Leafs, Tyler Bozak, Vesa Toskala, Viktor Stalberg
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