After a tumultuous 2008-09 season, the Toronto Maple Leafs have nowhere to go but up, right? Well maybe not just yet. With a clear new direction the Leafs have certainly addressed some of their glaring issues with drafting and offseason acquisitions. In areas that Toronto used to just plug holes with veteran free agents, usually in the twilights of their career, the team has now started rebuilding around a younger, faster core. This isn’t to say that the team is about to challenge in the Northeast division, but expect them to at least push for one of the last playoff spots. With a more exciting and talented team going into 2009-10 both fantasy owners and Leafs fans can expect to see more exhilarating hockey out of the club.
It seems that the youth movement in Toronto will soon push veterans like Jason Blake and Alexei Ponikarovski out of the spotlight. Although both players may still be a factor in your fantasy leagues this season with 50+ points likely for both, expect younger forward such as Matt Stajan, Lee Stempniak, Niklas Hagman and Mikhail Grabovski to try and leave their mark on this team. Both Stajan and Grabovski posted solid numbers last year and are looking to improve in 2009-10. It seems more than likely that at least one of these will crack the 60 point mark this season, while Stempniak and Hagman should both push the 40+ points.
General Manager Brian Burke made a splash by acquiring 36-scorer Phil Kessel. Kessel is automatically the offensive leader of this club and has room to grow considering he's still only 22 years old. He will be out of action until November sometime as he continues to rehab from offseason surgery. Note that he is not on our projected scoring chart below, as the trade was made after our Team Preview was released.
One of the biggest changes for the Maple Leafs this upcoming season will be their toughness on the blue line. Although Tomas Kaberle will remain the offensive favourite at the back end, the emergence of Luke Schenn should provide a new scoring threat and a definite factor in leagues that count penalty minutes. Mike Komisarek may not factor into fantasy conversations nearly as often as the above players, but expect him to garner 20+ points and 100 penalty minutes, should he stay healthy for the entire season.
One of the more interesting developments in Toronto this off season was the signing of Jonas Gustavsson. Although it looks like Vesa Toskala will be given the reigns again this season, the Maple Leafs are not likely to stick by Toskala unless he can keep them in a playoff position. With the current situation in Toronto, the team will try to get its younger players more ice time and if the team is not fulfilling management’s expectations, expect to see Gustavsson get a chance in the NHL.
Sleeper/Breakout:
Having already netted 31 points in 73 NHL games, Nikolai Kulemin is already on the radar. He should earn consideration in most fantasy leagues and could reach the 50 point mark if he can get on one of the top two lines this year.
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