Toronto: Entering 2010

Well it's hockey season again. Of course this means another year of "rebuilding," for my beloved Toronto Maple Leafs. Another year of hope is upon us. After FINALLY acquiring the services of Brian Burke, the 2009/2010 campaign looked like it would be one in which we would see a return to the playoffs.

Burke, went out and did a lot of great things I think. He made our defence (on paper at least,) look great.

Defensive Acquisitions:

Mike Komisarek (Free Agency - Had played for Monteal.)
Garnet Exelby (Traded from Atlanta for Pavel Kubina.)
Francois Beauchemin (Free Agency - Had played for Anaheim.)

Add those to a lineup that has perennial All-Star Tomas Kaberle, a future Norris Trophy winner in Luke Schenn, the smooth skating Jeff Finger and the versatile Ian White, we have a very good and very solid defensive core. Not to mention when Mike Van Ryn is healthy he is definitely a presence on both ends of the ice.

Goal scoring was something that need to be addressed, since our leaders last year were players like Jason Blake, Matt Stajan and Alexei Ponikarovski.

Offensive Acquisitions:

Tyler Bozak (Free Agency - No NHL experience.)
Phil Kessel(Traded by Boston for two 1st and a 2nd round draft pick.)
Colton Orr (Free Agency - Had played for the New York Rangers.)
Wayne Primeau (Traded by Calgary with a 2nd round pick in exchange Colin Stuart, Anton Stralman and a 7th round pick.
Rickard Wallin (Free Agent - Had played for Minnesota.)

Add the instant impact of Phil Kessel on offence, the toughness of Primeau and Orr, to a young team and it instantly makes life a little easier on their linemates. One also cannot forget about our great rookie, Nazim Kadri or the explosive Viktor Stalberg.

Of course with all that said, our biggest concern was our goaltending. After being acquired through a trade with San Jose, Vesa Toskala has been less than stellar so far with the Leafs. To address this issue, Burke signed Swedish superstar goalie, Jonas Gustavsson. "The Monster," should be in as the number one starter by the time November 1st rolls around I would expect. Also as some extra insurance, the Leafs went and signed Joey Macdonald to be there in case of injuries. Macdonald has played for the Red Wings, Bruins, and most recently the New York Islanders.

Overall the team looks a lot better really. Young players like Nikolai Kulemin, Jiri Tlusty, Mikhail Grabovski, Jay Rosehill and Luke Schenn should continue to improve, while players like Kaberle, Komisarek, Blake and Jamal Mayers should provide needed leadership and experience.

Overall Grade: B- (70-74%)

Offence: C- (Will be a B- when Kessel returns from injury.)
Defence: A- (Only if Schenn continues to improve and vets can maintain their health.)
Goaltending: B- (With Gustavsson it's a B grade, but with Toskala it's a C grade.)

Season Outcome:

While the Leafs will start off slowly, they will go on a small run around the beginning of November. Kessel will rejoin the team and at the halfway point of the season their record will be (19-17-5.) The start of the second half will go terribly at first until they win ten of their remaining fifteen games, and go (17-15-9.)

Ending with 86 points and a (36-32-14,) record. After the All Star game, expect to see the debut of Kadri and to see Toskala traded away to either Colorado or Nashville (considering Nashville decides to start spending some money.)

They'll end up placing ninth, being narrowly beaten out by one of either Florida, Buffalo or Ottawa.