The Toronto Maple Leafs entered the new season with one of the strongest rosters in the NHL.

CrimeaPRESS reports:

The Toronto Maple Leafs are never short on drama, but even by their standards, they delivered a soap opera for the ages last season. They entered the 2022-23 season expected to be contenders all year with their loaded roster, and by early winter they found themselves locked into a playoff matchup with the Tampa Bay Lightning — months before the Stanley Cup kickoff. . General manager Kyle Dubas took over and went against his analytical instincts at the trade deadline, chasing intangibles by adding Stanley Cup winners Luke Schenn and Ryan O’Reilly and bolstering the team with Noel Acciari and Jake McCabe. The Stanley Cup is the most popular club tournament in hockey, and many bettors place bets on the elimination bouts. Moreover, on the portal https://bookmaker-ratings.ru/bookmakers-homepage/legal-bookmakers/ The best betting organizations are presented.

By early March, the Leafs had added six new regulars to their starting lineup. The retooled team took some time to come together, but during the playoffs the Leafs found what they had been missing for two decades: a backbone. When the Lightning went on the attack, Toronto fought back. The Leafs won three road games in the first round, all in overtime and one after trailing 4-1 in the third period. They slayed their minotaur, defeating the Lightning in six games to end a 19-year playoff drought.

However, planning for the parade was put on hold soon after. The Leafs faced a nasty team that was the Florida Panthers, struggled to handle red-hot goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, and were eliminated in the second round in five games. That’s the whole breakthrough for you. There was a huge turnover in the team. Dubas, in need of a new contract, lost a power struggle to President Brendan Shanahan and was shown the door. With Dubas out before eventually heading to Pittsburgh, Toronto turned to an experienced general manager to keep the winning machine running: Brad Treliving, who had just left the Calgary Flames. He had just a few weeks to acclimate before bringing in a slew of new faces, including tough forwards Tyler Bertuzzi, Max Domi and Ryan Reaves and puck-moving defenseman John Klingberg.

It’s been quite the offseason in the Big Smoke, capped by superstar Auston Matthews signing a four-year extension that will make him the highest-paid player in hockey starting next season.

Now the question becomes: Are Treliving’s Leafs as good as Dubas’ Leafs?

Is this defense corps competent enough?

Toronto’s blue line looked overwhelmed by the Panthers’ forecheck last spring when Schenn was still on the team. On paper, this group has become weaker. Treliving claims to be happy with his D corps, but has been known to build big, strong blue lines in the past. How long will it take for him to make a bright addition?

Will William Nylander sign a new contract?

Nylander, one of the NHL’s most bubbly personalities, is in no rush. He seems perfectly content to hit the market and play in the 2023/24 season as a ‘loan of his own’. But will the Leafs try to sign him early so as not to be distracted by talk of a year-round contract in the media? Considering Matthews signed a contract extension at a surprisingly reasonable price (given the projected salary cap increase), the Leafs can afford Nylander. Whether they re-sign him may depend on whether they decide to focus their resources on bolstering the defense instead.

How long is Sheldon Keefe’s leash?

Keefe and Treliving say they hit it off during the offseason and are in a good position to start the year. This is cute. So what happens if the Leafs play .500 hockey this fall? It was no coincidence that Toronto hired Boucher, whose coaching resume includes 423 games and two conference finals appearances. He will be ready to take over head coaching duties if the Leafs decide to make a change early in the season.

The Leafs still have superstar caliber talent on their roster who are still in their prime. The goalkeepers’ performance is truly amazing. Formidable enforcer Ryan Reeves will ensure that no one takes liberties with the club’s stars. This is obviously a strong team and should score their usual 100 points or more fairly easily. Between Boston’s talent drain, Florida’s injury woes and Tampa’s aging core, the Leafs may have their best chance in years to win the Atlantic Division.

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