Toronto Maple Leafs Preview

There has been much debate on sports shows, talk radio and fan blogs about what the maple leaf lines will look like this year. Below I present what I believe makes the most sense right now line wise for the Toronto Maple Leafs as the roster stands now. This could change with the addition of another free agent or a trade.

Forwards:
Alex Steen Mats Sundin Alexei Ponikarovsky
Darcy Tucker Kyle Wellwood Jeff O'Neill
Nik Antropov Mike Peca Chad Kilger
TBD Matt Stajan John Pohl

Defence:
Tomas Kaberle Pavel Kubina
Bryan Mccabe TBD
Hal Gill TBD


Goaltender:
Andrew Raycroft
TBD

Camp Battles:

Forward
There will be a battle in camp for a spot on the 4th line or higher depending who wins it at camp and how much potiential they show. There is also a bench spot available. This spot could belong to one of Alex Suglobov, Bates Battaglia, Ben Ondrus, Erik Westrum and even Robbie Earl or recent 1st round draft pick Jiri Tlustly. It would not be out of the question for Tlustly to make the team if he proves himself ready. He spent last year playing among men in the czech league. If he does not make the team this year, look for him to challenge for a spot in 07/08. Most scouts Say Tlustly is almost NHL ready. Early Favourites for the 2 free forward spots would point to Bates Battaglia because of his relationship with Paul Maurice and Alex Suglobov because of his scoring potential and contract. Another Battle will be who plays with Mats Sundin. Alex Ponikarovsky showed great chemistry late in the season with Sundin and should find himself lined up with him once the season starts. Antropov will also get a look on Sundin's Line. The Leafs would love to have Alex Steen prove in camp he is ready for a 1st line role and a year spent playing on a line with Sundin would do great for his development. Look for Kyle Wellwood to take a 2nd line centre postion this year and continue his development into a dynmaic Offensive centre. Jeff O'Neill and Darcy Tucker would provide scoring and toughness on the line to make up for Wellwood's smaller stature. Mike Peca will most likely centre a 3rd line shutdown line along with Chad Kilger who will look to knock the other team's #1 line off kilter most nights. Matt Stajan could also be added to this line to develop alongside Mike Peca much like Fernando Pisani did last year in Edmonton.

Defence
There is 3 available defence spots available as camp opens. Wade Belak will garner the spot as 7th defenceman/extra forward. That leaves Jay harrison, Ian White, Staffan Kronwall, Andy Wozniewski and Carlo Colaiacavo battling for 2 spots. While Kronwall may have more potential then any of these players, I truly believe he needs more seasoning in the AHL. Wozniewski is also a project still and not as NHL proven or ready as the remaining Candidates. Colaiacavo goes into camp expected to win a top 4 job on the Maple Leafs Blueline. If he is unable to make them team in camp, expect a trade as this is about his last chance to prove himself to the Leaf Brass. That leaves one spot for either Ian White or Jay Harrison. Both in their own ways proved last year they are ready for the NHL. Ian White looks like he could develop into another Brian Rafalski. Harrison on the other hand provided grit and a worth effort along the lines of Former Maple Leaf Defenceman Jason Smith. The job will go to the player the Leafs believe they need more, with the early favourite odds going to Ian White. Among the the top 2 defensive lines look for Kubina and Kaberle to play together as they showed a dynamic chemistry playing together on the Czech National team. Mccabe will most likely line up with White or Colaiacovo depending on who makes the team. Hal Gill will anchor the 3rd defensive line with either Wade Belak or another of the young defensemen.

Goaltender
Andrew Raycroft is unquestionably the #1 goaltender on the Maple Leafs. If he does not rebound from the disaster that was his play last year, the leafs go nowhere and are stuck with Jim Carey #2. If he can regain the form he had in his Calder Winning rookie year, the Leafs are set in goal for the next 3 years. Look for Raycroft to be closer to his Rookie Year then his injury plagued season last year. The backup fight is between J.S Aubin and Mikael Tellqvist. Most signs point to Aubin winning this job, as he proved himself very capable down the stech last season. Whoever doesnt make the team will likely be traded as Justin Pogge will be cemented as Greg Gilbert's #1 Goaltender in the AHL with the Marlies.