Last Season: 49-26-7 105 pts (3rd in Atlantic Division; Lost in Eastern Conference 1st Round)
Key Additions: F John Tavares, F Tyler Ennis, F Adam Cracknell, and Gm Kyle Dubas
Key Departures: D Roman Polak, F Matt Martin, F Tyler Bozak, F James van Riemsdyk, F Leo Komarov, F Tomas Plekanec, and GM Lou Lamoriello
Top Questions Facing the Maple Leafs:
- Can the Toronto Maple Leafs shore up their defensive woes?
Last season Toronto allowed the fourth most shots on goal per game, however, the goaltending of Frederik Andersen and Curtis McElhinney kept the Leafs in games. The Leafs have some solid defensemen in Morgan Rielly, Jake Gardiner, and Ron Hainsey, plus Travia Dermott and Nikita Zaitsev are developing very well. If the Leafs can shore up their left side and pick up a top four defenseman, then they can become Stanley Cup contenders.
2. What impact will Johm Tavares bring to the Leafs?
Possibly one of the more shocking moves to happen over the offseason was the signing of John Tavares by the Maple Leafs. With the signing brings a top line center and veteran leadership. One has to wonder if this move will be good overall in the long term and in the short term. Everyone knows that Auston Matthews is the face of this franchise, and the incumbent future captain, but what happens if Tavares gets named captain instead? It’ll be interesting to see how things shake out early into this season.
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