The Forman Faceoff 2015/2016 NHL Season Preview - Toronto Maple Leafs

By: Kyle Forman (Guest Writer)

In: Zach Hyman, Kasperi Kapanen, Scott Harrington, Mitch Marner, Nick Spaling, Martin Marincin, PA Parenteau, Daniel Winnik, Mark Arcobello, Matt Hunwick, Shawn Matthias, Brad Boyes, Michael Grabner

Out: Brandon Kozun, Brad Ross, Tim Erixon, Phil Kessel, Tyler Biggs, Colton Orr, Zach Sill, David Booth, Eric Brewer, Joakim Lindstrom, Frazer McLaren, Trevor Smith, Matt Finn

Top Headlines

·         -Mike Babcock signed an 8 year $50 million contract. Babcock will have to be patient, as he transitions from a successful franchise to a struggling one.

·         -Lou Lamoriello is the new GM, but how much influence does he have as opposed to Kyle Dubas and Brendan Shanahan?

·         -Phil Kessel was traded, and the return was weak.

·         -The Leafs are taking a chance on feel-good story Rich Clune. Clune might get a chance to play if the Leafs trade their assets towards the trade deadline as they did last season. 

·         -Devin Setoguchi, Curtis Glencross, and Brad Boyes were given PTOs, despite a team already loaded with depth forwards.  Setoguchi and Glencross were cut, and Boyes will likely get a chance to play on the 1st line.

·         -Nathan Horton failed his physical, and will likely remain on long term IR for the remainder of his contract.

·         -No need to rush high end prospects like William Nylander, Mitch Marner, Kasperi Kapanen, and Connor Brown. Don't expect to see any of these guys play more than a few games in the NHL this season.

·         -Leafs likely to tear down their old core including Phaneuf, Bozak, and possibly Lupul. No one is safe except maybe JVR, Rielly, Marner, Nylander, Kadri (debatably).

·         -Will Reimer or Bernier be the starter? Both. Similar to last season, I see Bernier starting more games than Reimer, but not by much

·         -Kadri's time to step up as a #1 centre is here, under the guidance of Babcock

·         -If a rebuild is in process: the Leafs will need to rid of some bad contracts. Bozak is signed for $4.2 million for three more years, Lupul has three more at $5.25 million, Robidas has two years $3 million per left, and Dion Phaneuf is under contract until 2021 for $7 million a season. Not to mention the Leafs are still paying Phil Kessel, Tim Gleason, and Carl Gunnarsson

Opening Night Lineup

Forwards:

James van Riemsdyk -Tyler Bozak - Brad Boyes

Shawn Matthias - Nazem Kadri - Joffrey Lupul

Leo Komarov - Peter Holland - Michael Grabner

Daniel Winnik - Nick Spaling - P.A. Parenteau

Extra: Mark Arcobello, Richard Panik

Defense:

Dion Phaneuf - Matt Hunwick

Jake Gardiner - Morgan Rielly

Martin Marincin - Roman Polak

Extra: Stephane Robidas

Goaltending:

Jonathan Bernier

James Reimer

2015/2016 Outlook and Prediction:

8th in Atlantic Division, 14th in Eastern Conference