Maple Leafs Training Camp Preview: Fights, Questions, Squad Picks

The confetti from another Stanley Cup parade in a city other than Toronto was long since swept off the streets, and another off-season of tweaks was in full swing.

Sheldon Keefe entered his first personal draft as the Maple Leafs coach prior to his first “normal” season in that position.

And yet, Keefe said, not much has changed.

The disappointment of another too-fast postseason, another wasted home field advantage, was still rattling around in his head with all those possible line combos.

But the positive results of his group’s record-breaking regular season and the two-time champion’s nail-biting playoff test hadn’t changed either.

Keefe threw himself into the Leafs’ summer improvement projects with an air of optimism, encouraged by “the confidence we have in our group and how close we felt to beating a very, very good team.” But motivated because “we didn’t make it again”.

The hope is that the combination of a bitter, narrow loss and a sweet, infectious belief that the hockey club is on the verge of breakthrough has resulted in minimal roster changes.

Aside from the new guys on the pads, most of the players who report to the Ford Performance Center for medicals Wednesday will be as familiar with each other as they are long summers.

Keef is right. No, not much has changed.

A little fiddling here and there starting this week at camp and maybe the result will be.

Place for current salary cap: $0
Director General: Kyle Dubas
head coach: Sheldon Keefe
Assistant Coach: Spencer Carbery, Dean Chynoweth, Manny Malhotra, Curtis Sanford (goalkeepers)
Unsigned Players: Rasmus Sandin (RFA), Zach Aston-Reese (PTO), Dylan Ferguson (PTO)

THE PRESSING QUESTION: Where – and when – does Rasmus fit Sandin?

While the other Leaves report to the doctor and prepare to take the ice cream, Sandin still sits and waits.

The 22-year-old defenseman is one of the NHL’s few standout restricted free agents to have dug himself into a contractual stalemate. But his resume and influence are short.

If the left shot isn’t interested in signing a contract similar to pal Timothy Liljegren’s two-year, $2.8 million deal, a one-year evidence paper might be the easiest way to sideline that distraction. (Mikey Anderson’s recent one-year $1 million deal with Los Angeles may provide the template.)

How the Sandin saga unfolds will affect the roster.

If the Swede signs for decent money, will another salary need to be plowed into the trade for the Leafs to be sued for opening night? (Right Justin Holl is the supposed bait.) And which left moves to the right side so Sandin can get more shifts? (Mark Giordano appears to be the only candidate.)

If Sandin and Dubas can’t find common ground, however, the seventh spot at defense opens up an opportunity for an inexpensive free-hand recruit like Jordie Benn or Victor Mete to impress in preseason. That roster flexibility could save a tweener from the October waiver.

Conversely, Liljegren is absent from camp due to injury (as first reported by Chris Johnston), Sandin could find himself with increased leverage — and Ice Age.

(The Leafs will comment on the nature of Liljegren’s injury on Wednesday.)

We’re excited to see how this all develops.

TRAINING CAMP FIGHT TO WATCH: Bottom six puzzle matching

Keefe will once again be blessed with elite gamebreakers at the top of his roster. Further down the bench, however, intrigue – and competition – should heat up.

For now, we’ll be pinning unsung 50-point utility man Alexander Kerfoot on left wing alongside John Tavares and William Nylander in the top six, knowing coaches are happy to throw Kerfoot anywhere, and likely other forwards as well chance to produce in such a prime location.

(Calle “Four More Years” Järnkrok, Pierre “I Think I Can Score 20” Engvall, Nick “Time to Pop” Robertson and Adam “Did You See Me at the Worlds?” Gaudette are all candidates for a move on the offensive to go and might climb a bit higher in the lineup.)

The configuration of the bottom six is ​​particularly interesting, and there is no shortage of options.

We see Stanley Cup winner Nicolas Aubé-Kubel as the only suspension in the fourth row.

If true, that leaves two spots open for Gaudette, surprise PTO Zach Aston-Reese, respected veterans Wayne Simmonds and Kyle Clifford, and Marlies like Robertson, Joey Anderson and Curtis Douglas to say goodbye.

As with so many teams that overextend, the final cuts may not be made solely on merit.

Cap considerations, waivers, experience, injuries (Engvall already nurtures some) and role will all come into play.

ESTIMATED POSITIONING FROM STOCK

Michael Bunting-Auston Matthews-Mitchell Marner
Alexander Kerfoot-John Tavares-William Nylander
Pierre Engvall – David Kampf – Calle Järnkrok
Zach Aston-Reese-Adam Gaudette-Nicolas Aubé-Kubel

Morgan Rielly – TJ Brodie
Jake Muzzin-Justin Holl
Rasmus Sandin—Mark Giordano

Matt Murray
Ilya Samsonov