Luke Schenn Could Make The Maple Leafs Roster

In a recent interview, Toronto Maple Leafs General Manager Cliff Fletcher stated that number one draft pick Luke Schenn would be given "every chance to make the team." The Maple Leafs picked Schenn 5th overall in this year's NHL entry draft back in June. As a member of the Kelowna Rockets in the WHL, Schenn has earned a reputation as a shut down defenseman. Scouts have praised his physical play, and he has been touted as a prospect who may be good enough to crack the Toronto Maple Leafs roster this year.

If that is indeed the case, Schenn will have the opportunity to prove he is good enough to play for the Maple Leafs in the upcoming month. The Leafs will host a rookie tournament beginning on September 13th that will consist of prospect teams from the Ottawa Senators, Florida Panthers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Toronto Maple Leafs. Luke Schenn will be one of the featured players on the Maple Leafs prospect squad. If he is able to make the most of his ice time with a solid performance, this tournament should be his best chance to impress the Leafs coaching staff. He will also get to make his case for a roster spot later this month when the Toronto Maple Leafs begin their training camp.

Luke Schenn is no stranger to this kind of pressure. Before being drafted by the Maple Leafs, he represented Canada at the 2008 World Junior's, where the Canadian team won gold. He also participated in the Canada/Russia super series. With such extensive international experience, it wouldn't be at all surprising if Schenn was able to surpass expectations in training camp, and earn a spot on the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Competition is Steep on Maple Leafs Defense

With the signings of defensemen Jeff Finger and Jonas Frogren to the Maple Leafs roster, as well as rumors that Bryan McCabe may be traded for another d-man, the Leafs blue line will be crowded this year. In fact, Cliff Fletcher has stated the he feels good about his defense corps headed into the season. This will make it tough for the rookie to earn a spot in the Leafs lineup. Thomas Kaberle, Pavel Kubina, and Jeff Finger are all but guaranteed to start next year. It is also likely the Maple Leafs coaching staff will want to play Jonas Frogren and Anton Stralman on the same line, given their history of playing together on the Swedish national team. This doesn't exactly leave much room on the Maple Leafs defense for Schenn, but with such a newer and younger team going into the season, anything could still happen, and the lineups are anything but set in stone. If Maple Leafs head coach Ron Wilson is impressed enough with Schenn, he will find a way to fit him in the lineup.

The prevailing opinion in Leafs Nation however, is that Luke Schenn will likely continue his development with Kelowna in the WHL. While Maple Leafs GM Cliff Fletcher wants to give Schenn the chance to make the team, he has also stated he will not rush his development if he is not ready. While discussing Schenn's chances to make the Maple Leafs, he was quoted as saying "When you look back historically, Toronto's been a graveyard for young defencemen that maybe shouldn't have been integrated into the NHL lineup as early as they were. Were not going to make that mistake." Given this statement, it appears unlikely that he will crack the Leafs starting lineup. Regardless of whether or not he makes the team this year though, Luke Schenn certainly shows the potential to be the true shutdown defender the Toronto Maple Leafs have long been hoping for.

Toronto Maple Leafs Player Spotlight-Niklas Hagman

This week's player spotlight will focus on another newcomer to the Toronto Maple Leafs . Niklas Hagman was signed by Leafs management to a 4 year contract, worth $3 million a season. Since it appears Hagman will be around for awhile, it's worth taking a look to see what he will bring to the Maple Leafs lineup.

A native of Espoo, Finland, the Maple Leafs newcomer is coming off his best career season. He posted 27 goals and 14 assists while playing in all 82 games for the Dallas Stars last year. It is worth mentioning that this goal total was more than any player on the Toronto Maple Leafs roster in 2007-08, with the exception of Mats Sundin. That fact alone is enough to discredit any argument that Hagman will not play on one of the Leafs top 2 lines next year. It should be quite obvious that he was signed to be one of Toronto's top 6 forwards, especially given the lack of offense in the lineup, which will be more apparent should Mats Sundin not return to the Maple Leafs.

Aside from proving his goal scoring ability last year, Hagman has also earned a reputation as a solid defensive forward as well. This will make him a welcome addition to the Maple Leafs, who will likely give him plenty of time on the penalty kill as a result of his ability to play in both ends of the ice. He will also bring some much needed quickness to the Leafs, as Hagman has been noted for his above average speed. While there were concerns over his scoring ability early in his career, he effectively put those to rest with his 27 goal effort last season. I believe the Maple Leafs will get some much needed offensive punch with him in their roster.

Maple Leafs Expect Hagman to Improve With More Ice Time

Niklas Hagman began his NHL career with the Florida Panthers, where he put up a 28 point season in his debut in 2001-02. He followed that with two 23 point seasons before heading to Dallas. With his mediocre offensive production, many people didn't expect Hagman to ever be more than a 3rd line checker. However, as the Stars began to use him in a more offensive role, he proved that he can put up points when given enough ice time. After scoring 17 goals in the 2006-07 season, Dallas began to use him on their 2nd scoring line, which led to his breakout season last year. The Toronto Maple Leafs will be hoping that Hagman can continue this impressive showing. After looking at the drastic improvement in his numbers when given a top 6 role, it is reasonable to believe Hagman will be a reliable offensive player for the Maple Leafs, as long as he is given enough playing time. With the Maple Leafs current roster of unproven young players, it looks pretty clear he will get all the playing time he needs in Toronto.

Some Toronto Maple Leafs fans have questioned whether or not Hagman can replicate his showing last year. This concern among Leafs Nation is certainly a valid one. For years, Maple Leafs fans have watched painfully as once-great veterans were brought to Toronto, only to end their careers with disappointing numbers, or take up space on the injured reserve. However, Maple Leafs fans should know that Hagman is only 28 years old! He is not an aging veteran in the twilight of his career. He is under 30, and still young enough to improve his game. He has also played in all 82 games for the past two seasons, so he is not likely to be injury prone. I don't want to be the one to speak too soon, but I think there is plenty of reason to believe Niklas Hagman will continue to play well offensively for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

In summary, the Maple Leafs have acquired a speedy forward who is a solid two way player, and still relatively young. I expect he will see action on either the 1st or 2nd line, as well as getting plenty of time on the penalty kill. Look for him to be one of the most reliable and consistent forwards in the Toronto Maple Leafs lineup.

Toronto Maple Leafs Open With Tough Schedule

With the release of the Toronto Maple Leafs full 2008-09 schedule, one thing is clear. Fans will know pretty quick if the Maple Leafs have actually improved, or merely taken sideways steps this offseason. Consider this: 9 of the Leafs first 11 games will be played against teams who qualified for the playoffs last season. The first 2 of those games will be against the top seeded teams from each conference. The Toronto Maple Leafs will open regular season play on October 9th, at Detroit's Joe Louis arena. If opening the season against the defending Stanley Cup champions isn't challenging enough, the Maple Leafs will play their home opener against arch-rival Montreal at the Air Canada Centre on October 11th. Montreal was the top seeded team in the eastern conference last year, although they bowed out of the playoffs early in the 2nd round. The Toronto Maple Leafs will have their hands full right from the starting line.

Other noteworthy opponents that the Maple Leafs will face early on include the New York Rangers (October 17th), Pittsburgh Penguins (October 18th), and Anaheim Ducks (October 21st).

We Will Know Where The Maple Leafs Stand

If there is any silver lining in the Toronto Maple Leafs tough opening schedule, it is that we will know within the first couple of months where they stand among the NHL's best teams. Such a tough opening schedule will give the young Leafs players an oppurtunity to rise to the occasion, and prove what they can do. If they can manage to come out of the starting gate strong, and put up a good showing against top notched opponents, it will go along way to silence critics who have written them off as a team who has no shot at a playoff spot. If they end up being a doormat for these powerhouse teams however, Maple Leafs fans will know almost right away that they are in for a long season, and perhaps another high draft pick.

Among Toronto Maple Leafs fans, there has been plenty of debate about whether or not it would be better to hope for a losing season and a high draft pick, or try to make a run at a playoff spot. Looking at the schedule though, it appears that we will know what to expect out of this season after the Maple Leafs play their first 11 games. If the Leafs surprise us and do well in the first month of play, we could be looking at a darkhorse playoff team. As unlikely as it sounds, they have managed to make themselves younger, faster, tougher, and more defensively sound under the management of Cliff Fletcher. If those first 11 games dont go well though, as most people expect they won't, then the Toronto Maple Leafs can start analyzing the draft pool a little earlier than usual.

Toronto Maple Leafs to Trade McCabe for Van Ryn?

After reports that Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Bryan McCabe would be willing to waive his no movement clause, the latest news concerning the Maple Leafs blue liner is that a trade is in the works that would involve him heading to the Florida Panthers. Reportedly, the Maple Leafs would send McCabe to Florida, in exchange for Panthers defenceman Mike Van Ryn. This deal has not been confirmed, but some analysts believe Maple Leafs GM Cliff Fletcher has already agreed to this deal in principle with Florida's GM Jacques Martin. If this is the case, the trade would likely take place after September 1st, when the Toronto Maple Leafs will pay McCabe a $2 million signing bonus.

It is unknown if any other players would be involved in this deal. If this trade does take place, the Maple Leafs will be shedding almost $2 million in cap space. Dare I say such a move could pave the way for the return of Mats Sundin to the Maple Leafs? Dumping that much cap space will give the Leafs plenty of room to accommodate their former captain, if he chooses to re-sign in Toronto.

Toronto Maple Leafs A Good Fit For Van Ryn?

As far as Van Ryn coming to the Maple Leafs though, that move could be a hit or miss. Van Ryn has been considered a rising stay at home defenceman in the past, but lately he has had injury issues, including surgery on his wrist last year that resulted in him only playing 20 games all season. If he can stay healthy, the Toronto Maple Leafs will be getting a talented, defensive minded player with the ability to fill a top 4 role in their lineup. He is also capable of dishing out some hits, which will be a great addition to a Maple Leafs defense that should already be physically tougher than last year. However, if Van Ryn's wrist problems resurface, than he may not be able to return to his old form. If he sits on the injured reserve all year, he will do the Maple Leafs no good. At 29 years old though, he is younger than McCabe and still has time to get his game back on track.

This is all just speculation at this point though, and the Toronto Maple Leafs News Ticket will post an update on this situation as it becomes available. Personally, I think it would be a good "finishing touch" in Cliff Fletcher's complete overhaul of the Maple Leafs roster. If McCabe is dealt, Fletcher will have succeeded in giving Toronto Maple Leafs fans the new look they have been hoping for.

Toronto Maple Leafs Player Spotlight-Nikolai Kulemin

The Toronto Maple Leafs are likely to start one of their brightest young prospects in the upcoming season. That player is Nikolai Kulemin , and after some solid seasons in the Russian Super League, he has reportedly been promised a spot in the Maple Leafs lineup for 2008-09. Recently, it seems that young Russian forwards have been all the rage in the NHL. Players like Ovechkin, Malkin, and Kovalchuk have dazzled crowds with their speed, skill, and goal scoring ability. The excitement surrounding these players has helped to revitalize the league's fanbase. This year, fans of the Toronto Maple Leafs will have the chance to watch a Russian superstar of their own. While it would be premature to compare Nikolai Kulemin to the previously mentioned players, he certainly has an impressive resume that could give Maple Leafs fans a reason to get excited.

The Toronto Maple Leafs will be hoping that Kulemin can transfer his impressive showing in Russia to the NHL. Here are his numbers for his last two seasons playing for Metallurg Magnitogorsk of the RSL:

2006-07: 27 goals and 39 points in 54 games played.
2007-08: 21 goals and 33 points in 57 games played.

Looking at these stats, it is clear that Kulemin is a talented goal scorer. While the Toronto Maple Leafs coaching staff will have to work to improve his playmaking ability, I think Maple Leafs fans can probably expect to see a 20+ goal season from the young Russian. While critics may say this is an unlikely total for a player's first season in the NHL, I dont see it as out of the question for Kulemin. For one, he will be playing more games, and the RSL is no junior league. It is professional level, and while the talent might not be as high as in the NHL, it certainly gives Kulemin a definite edge on other rookies in terms of experience. If he is able to net over 20 goals for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Kulemin could potentially be a candidate for the Calder Trophy as well.

Maple Leafs Can Also Expect Physical Play

Another thing worth mentioning, is that the Toronto Maple Leafs can expect Kulemin to bring an element of physical play, along with his sniper skills with the puck. Some Russian players have been criticized for an unwillingness to hit. Maple Leafs fans can rest assured knowing this will probably not be the case with Kulemin. Scouts have indicated that he plays tough along the boards, and will take any oppurtunity to throw a big hit. Several videos on YouTube showing Kulemin flattening opposing players would seem to back this up.

Aside from physical play, scouts have also noted Kulemin's strong work ethic, as well as his above average speed. All of these attributes will make Kulemin a solid all-around player, and his time spent in the RSL gives him the experience needed to adjust to the NHL level. He should be a perfect compliment to a Maple Leafs roster that will be younger and faster than in previous seasons.

Now that the Toronto Maple Leafs have joined the trend of importing young Russian superstars, look for Nikolai Kulemin to be the player to watch in the Maple Leafs 2008-09 season.

Toronto Maple Leafs Offseason Review

After missing the playoffs for 3 straight seasons, Toronto Maple Leafs fans have been calling for change ever since Cliff Fletcher took over the role of Leafs General Manager. So far this offseason, Fletcher has held true to his word and done just that. The Toronto Maple Leafs are already looking like a completely different team heading into next season. Gone is the philosophy of bringing in older players who were once great, but well past their prime and near the end of their careers. Now the Maple Leafs are finally getting younger and faster. Though many people have already written them off well before the season gets underway, this is not the same team that missed the playoffs 3 years running. There are a lot of new faces in the Maple Leafs blue and white! For this reason, they will be one of the more interesting teams to follow this season. Though Cliff Fletcher may not be finished yet with his revamp of the Leafs roster, lets take a more detailed look at what he has done so far:

New Maple Leafs Coach
Probably the single best move that Cliff Fletcher has made so far, is the hiring of Ron Wilson as head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Wilson was formerly the head coach of the San Jose Sharks, where he consistently led them to the playoffs year after year. Just last season, in 2007-08, Wilson's Sharks had the 3rd lowest goals against total, (187) and earned the number 2 seed in the Western Conference. In my opinion, it was a mistake for San Jose to let him go. However, their loss is Toronto's gain! Ron Wilson was easily the best coach available for hire, and Cliff Fletcher deserves credit for bringing him to the Toronto Maple Leafs!

What will he bring to the Maple Leafs you ask? One word. Defense. Wilson has earned a reputation over the years as a defensive guru, and as I mentioned earlier, this was showcased in his former team's 3rd lowest goals against total. The Toronto Maple Leafs have until now, been completely oblivious to defensive style hockey. If Wilson can turn this around, the Maple Leafs will be leaps and bounds ahead of last year's team. Though he wasn't able to win a Stanley Cup in San Jose, he consistently iced one of the league's best defensive teams and had no problem qualifying for the playoffs. His coaching style will be a welcome addition to the Toronto Maple Leafs!

Free Agency Signings
Cliff Fletcher didn't make a huge splash in the free agency market, but he did make some key moves to change the look of the Maple Leafs. In my opinion, the best of these moves was the signing of Niklas Hagman for 4 years. Hagman scored 27 goals last year as a member of the Dallas Stars. That is more goals than any Maple Leafs player had, besides Mats Sundin. Critics continue to assert that he just had a "lucky season" last year, and will be unable to do that again. Im not so sure. Hagman is only 28 years old. He is not an aging veteran past his prime that Maple Leafs fans are used to seeing. He is still young enough to improve his game, and given enough ice time, he likely will. It's important to remember that his "lucky season" happened when he was finally given time as a top 6 forward. He played on Dallas's second line, while before he had his 27 goal season he was a 3rd line player. Given the Toronto Maple Leafs thin offensive depth, he will likely get plenty of time as a top 6 forward, and get the chance to show the critics he can score goals. Aside from his scoring ability, Hagman is also a fast skater, and is defensively aware. This should make him a perfect fit for Wilson's defensive coaching style. Look for Nik Hagman to be a key forward for the Toronto Maple Leafs this season.

Fletcher also used the free agent market to bolster the Maple Leafs blue line (which was badly needed.) Jeff Finger, formerly of the Colorado Avalanche, was given a 4 year, $14 million contract. Many people criticize this as an overpayment. I will say that they are right. However, it is important to remember that many teams were seeking help on defense this offseason. Given the lack of defensive minded d-men available, the law of supply and demand will dictate that in order to land one, you will have to pay a high price. In short, if the Toronto Maple Leafs want help keeping the puck out of their net next year, they are going to have to fork out some big bucks. I cant help but wonder-are the people criticizing Jeff Finger's contract the same people who have been complaining that the Maple Leafs need a better defence? Jeff Finger has earned a reputation as a defensive minded player who plays physical, and can shut down skilled players. He also has a remarkably low turnover rate-a very important and often underrated attribute. If this helps to reduce the Toronto Maple Leafs goals against, then his contract will be worth it.

Another Maple Leafs signing worth mentioning, is that of Swedish Elite League defenseman Jonas Frogren. While his contract has experienced some "legal technicalities" with the NHL, it is likely he will be on the Maple Leafs roster by the start of the season. Frogren has earned a reputation as a very solid defensive player who likes to throw hits. This is welcome news to any Maple Leafs fan who has been hoping for a more physical defense. While he will be playing his first year in the NHL, he is a veteran in Sweden, so I expect he will be able to adjust quickly.

Maple Leafs Make Some Trades
Lastly, Cliff Fletcher has brought in a bit of help up front for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the form of trades. While these aren't exactly blockbuster deals, I expect they will serve the Maple Leafs will this season.

The most interesting trade was sending Montreal a second round pick in exchange for Mikhail Grabovski. While Grabovski is an unproven player at the NHL level, he raised some eyebrows with an impressive season in the AHL last year. He is fast, and a very skilled playmaker. He also plays the center position which will be a crucial one for the Toronto Maple Leafs this year. If Sundin does not return, the Leafs will be very thin at center, so its likely Grabovski will get his shot to prove himself in the NHL. In my opinion, he will be the dark horse player on this year's Maple Leafs roster.

Other moves involved making trades with the St. Louis Blues, and New York Rangers to land Jamal Mayers and Ryan Hollweg. Mayers is a gritty, physical forward who fits in nicely on any checking line. Ryan Hollweg will bring lots of energy to a checking line as well, and probably a few fights to go along with it. While he isn't a heavyweight fighter, Hollweg wont hesitate to drop the gloves in defense of his teammates, even against bigger players. The Toronto Maple Leafs are in need of this kind of toughness, so I think these trades will play in our favor as well.

While many Toronto Maple Leafs fans are criticizing Fletcher's job so far, I think he is taking the team in the direction it needs to go-younger, faster, and tougher! Im looking forward to watching this very different Maple Leafs team, and while many have already written them off as I previously mentioned, I say wait and watch, and give them a chance. The Toronto Maple Leafs might surprise us!

Who Will Be The Next Toronto Maple Leafs Captain?

The Toronto Maple Leafs are facing the possibility of their longtime captain, Mats Sundin, either retiring or playing for another NHL team this year. This possibility certainly begs the question for Maple Leafs fans-who will be our next captain? Since their is no clear cut choice, there are a few options for the Maple Leafs to consider in answering this question, and Im going to attempt to analyze each one.

The first option, and perhaps the most likely at this point, is Pavel Kubina. Up until now I would not have considered Kubina to be in the lead for a list of possible captains. However, Toronto Maple Leafs GM Cliff Fletcher has recently announced he is giving strong consideration to this possibility. Since it now appears likely that Bryan McCabe will waive his no movement clause and accept a trade, Kubina will likely be staying put with the Toronto Maple Leafs. That leaves him and Thomas Kaberle as the leaders of a young defensive lineup. Kubina had a good season last year, and established himself as the Maple Leafs top defensive player. Leading by example is a big part of being a captain, and if he can keep that up, Toronto's new blue liners can learn alot from Pavel Kubina. Reportedly, he doesn't shy away from stepping up in the dressing room, and making his voice heard.

In my opinion, the second most likely option for captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs is Thomas Kaberle. Assuming that Bryan McCabe will no longer be here, Kaberle is the only remaining "alternate captain" who will be with the Maple Leafs this season. This already gives him some leadership experience, and he has been with the Toronto Maple Leafs long enough to know how things work. While he is not as good defensively as Pavel Kubina, he is certainly capable of leading by example on the offensive front. He had 53 points last season, and is one of the NHL's better puck moving defenseman. His consistency makes him a good choice in my opinion, and gives the younger players something to look up to.

Another player receiving consideration is Matt Stajan, though I believe he is the Maple Leafs most unlikely choice for captain. While he stepped up and took on a leadership role in the absence of Mats Sundin last year, he is still too young and inexperienced to be the full time captain in my opinion. His point total of 33 from last year isnt bad, but it also isnt great. Usually, a team wants one of its best players to be its captain, although this is not ALWAYS the case. As I mentioned before, leading by example is a big part of the captain's job. I can certainly see Matt Stajan as the Maple Leafs captain in a few years time, but right now he is too young and his production isnt quite high enough. Im willing to bet that Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Ron Wilson will come to the same conclusion.

Toronto Maple Leafs To Rotate The "C"?
This brings me to my last point. Maple Leafs GM Cliff Fletcher has also stated that he is considering rotating the position of captain from month to month. On the surface this seems like a strange idea, but it may not actually be that bad. Other teams have done it in the past, and it would give each player the chance to prove themselves as a leader. Since their isnt a clear choice for the position of Maple Leafs captain right now, this could be the right solution. Im willing to bet that after a few months, a clear leader would emerge after a few players have had their shot. This doesnt have to be done for the whole season-just long enough for the Maple Leafs coaching staff to guage each player's leadership qualities, and enable them to find the clear candidate for the job of Leafs captain. This would put everyone on a level playing field, and give all the top players their shot at leading.

Of course, this topic will be completely irrelevant if Mats Sundin decides to return. The Toronto Maple Leafs will be able to put their "captain sweepstakes" to rest.

Maple Leafs to Trade Bryan McCabe?

The latest news regarding Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Bryan McCabe, is that he is now open to waiving his contract's no movement clause. Reportedly, he has been asked by Maple Leafs General Manager Cliff Fletcher to prepare a list of teams he would be open to accepting a trade too. If this is true, the Maple leafs will hopefully be able to avoid a standoff with their veteran blue liner. Until now, McCabe has been unwilling to waive, despite the fact that Cliff Fletcher has publicly voiced the Maple Leafs desire to move him.

In my opinion, a trade would be a good resolution for both parties involved. Bryan McCabe will get a fresh start in a new city, while the Toronto Maple Leafs will be able to move forward with a younger defense. Also, this would most likely mean that Pavel Kubina would be staying on with the Maple Leafs. Some speculation has been rampant that Fletcher would seek to move Kubina, if he was unsuccessful in convicing Bryan McCabe to accept a trade. Kubina was one of the Maple Leafs top defenseman last season, and new head coach Ron Wilson has expressed his desire to keep him on the roster.

A Maple Leafs defence without McCabe?
So what exactly would the Toronto Maple Leafs defence look like without Bryan McCabe? In my opinion, better. While McCabe has had some great offensive seasons with the Leafs, he has also been infamous for making costly turnovers, and playing mediocre in his own end. His new replacements seem to be the opposite. Jeff Finger and Jonas Frogren are the newest additions to the Maple Leafs blue line. Both are defensive minded players who might not put up many points, but play solid physical games in their own end. Finger also brings to the Maple Leafs a remarkably low turnover rate. It looks like their defensive unit might finally focus on playing defense!

With Bryan McCabe gone, the Toronto Maple Leafs defensive lineups may look something like this:

Pair 1: Thomas Kaberle/Pavel Kubina - I believe this pair will serve the Toronto Maple Leafs well. Kaberle is one of the better offensive d-men in the league. Kubina on the other hand, is solid defensively and can be a physical presence. If Ron Wilson can get him to throw all of his 244 pounds around, he can punish opposing forwards and make them think twice before crossing into the Maple Leafs zone.
Pair 2: Jeff Finger/Carlo Colaiacovo - Should be an interesting pair. The big question mark for this one though, is Colaiacovo's injury history. Can he finally stay healthy? If so, he can be a very physical player that can wear down the opposition, and may turn out to be one of the Maple Leafs best defenders. Jeff Finger doesn't have much offensive upside, but he is very consistent in his own end. If this consistency can help keep the puck out of the Maple Leafs net, his much criticized contract will be worth the price.
Pair 3: Jonas Frogren/Anton Stralman - Personally, I am looking forward to watching this pair the most. Frogren is a newcomer to the Toronto Maple Leafs, but was a top veteran in the Swedish Elite League. He says he likes to hit, and if so, will be a welcome addition for Maple Leafs fans, who have been hoping for a more physical defense. Stralman is one of this team's top young players, and could potentially evolve into a very talented puck-moving defenseman. These two also have experience playing together as part of the Swedish National Team.

I like the look of this defense. Under the guidance of defensive guru Ron Wilson, look for the Maple Leafs blue line to surprise alot of people this year. Provided of course, Bryan McCabe agrees to waive his no movement clause, and depart from the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Toronto Maple Leafs News Ticket will have more updates on the McCabe situation.

Some Reasons To Watch The Toronto Maple Leafs This Season

With many people saying this season's version of the Toronto Maple Leafs will be a bad one, is there any reason to pay attention to the blue and white this year? I'm going to say yes, and here's a couple things to watch out for:

The Maple Leafs Might Finally Play Defence
I emphasize the "might" here, but there is legitimate reason to believe the Toronto Maple Leafs could show an improvement in their own end. Jeff Finger, while his contract might be an overpayment, is a good step in this direction. The Maple Leafs are in need of defensive-minded blue liners who can hit and handle the puck in their own end. One of the things that often is overlooked about Finger is that he rarely turns the puck over. Any Leafs fan is all too familiar with what often results when one of your defenseman gives the puck away in your own zone. This overlooked quality can go along way in helping reduce Toronto's goals against. He might not put up many points, but look for Jeff Finger to fill his role well in keeping the puck out of the Maple Leaf's net.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are also working on signing Swedish defenseman Jonas Frogren. While he is an unknown to most fans in North America, he is a solid veteran in the Swedish Elite League. He has also played well with fellow Maple Leaf's defenseman Anton Stralman as part of Team Sweden. He reportedly likes to hit, and I think he will be a pleasant surprise for any fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Another thing for Leafs fans to consider is the possibility that number one draft pick Luke Schenn could make his NHL debut this year. If he is deemed ready at the team's training camp, head coach Ron Wilson won't hesitate to play him. Regardless of whether or not that happens though, I still think that the Leafs could see their goals against go down this year.

New Players To Keep An Eye On
Another thing for Toronto Maple Leafs fans to look out for, are some possibly exciting young players who will be making their blue and white debut. They are:

Nikolai Kulemin - The Russian superstar is said to have been promised a spot in this year's Leafs lineup. Given the lack of scorers on our current roster, this is likely true. It's hard to say what to expect from Kulemin, but he has developed a reputation in the Russian Super League as a physical player who wont shy away from contact, as well as a gifted goal scorer. How he will handle his first year in the NHL remains to be seen, but high expectations have already been placed on him by some.

Mikhail Grabovski - Acquired in a trade from Montreal, this is another young player for Toronto Maple Leafs fans to watch. He had a great showing last year with the AHL's Hamilton Bulldogs, and impressed many people. This trade has gone under the radar somewhat, but Grabovski will likely see plenty of ice time this year, again due to the Maple Leaf's lack of offensive depth. His playmaking ability could be exciting.

Niklas Hagman - He scored 27 goals last year with the Dallas Stars. That total is higher than anybody on last season's Maple Leafs roster besides Mats Sundin. He is a fast skater and defensively sound. He will likely get lots of ice time on the penalty kill because of this. He will also get his chance to show that last year wasnt just a lucky year, and that given enough ice time, he can be a solid goal scorer. If he can replicate the showing he had last year, it will go along way in giving the Toronto Maple Leafs some much needed offense.

If these new players can gel under new head coach Ron Wilson, the Leafs might show they are not as dismal as many people thought. Whether or not they turn into a dark horse competitor, or fall flat in the standings, the new changes made so far should still make the Toronto Maple Leafs an exciting team to watch!

Toronto Maple Leafs-will Mats Sundin be back?

The latest news regarding former Maple Leafs captain Mats Sundin, is that he is seriously considering retirement. It has been reported that several sources in Sweden have indicated he does not seem as interested in hockey as he has in summers past, mainly because he hasn't been skating and working out with the enthusiasm he usually does.

I can honestly see retirement as a very likely option for Sundin at this point, though I am still hopeful he will return to the Toronto Maple Leafs. I can imagine he feels disenchanted with the whole Maple Leafs' organziation, given the way he was treated at the trade deadline last season. Some Leafs "fans" remain upset over his refusal to waive his no trade clause, and accept a trade to go play for a Stanley Cup with a bunch of guys he just met.

True, these fans argue Sundin could have helped the Maple Leafs by accepting a trade and bringing in a return. However, it just doesn't send a good message to players across the league if we try and run our best player and longtime captain out of town. I just can't see too many players finding the Toronto Maple Leafs an appealing team to play for if we say, "hey come play for us, and if you do well we will force you out of town!" Not to mention it is not Sundin's job to play General Manager, his job is to help our team by scoring goals and he does that very well. As the captain, he also didn't want to abandon the teammates he was leading since the start of the season. In my opinion, people who are still angry at him need to realize this, and let it go.

Maple Leafs fans await his decision

As the summer months continue, many Toronto Maple Leafs fans, as well as hockey fans in general, are starting to become angry at the fact that Mats Sundin has not yet made a decision. In my opinion, there is no reason to be. Sundin has stated since the end of last season that he is undecided about his future with hockey. He is not under contract, so he does not owe it to any team, including the Maple Leafs, to rush his decision. All the teams who are pursuing him (Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, and supposedly Colorado) were fully aware of the fact that he is undecided when they tabled their offers. They knew this, so they have willingly accepted the risks of waiting on his decision. To me, this says alot about how much these teams believe Mats Sundin can help them.

As for the Maple Leafs, I see no reason why we should be impatient. There really isn't any free agents on the market that GM Cliff Fletcher is interested in using Sundin's cap money to sign. The only roster moves the Maple Leafs will likely be making are trades. Those can be done any time between now and next season's trade deadline. Training camp does not start until mid-September and the regular season does not start until October. There is absolutely no need for Sundin to rush his decision.

So in my opinion, he can take all the time he wants deciding. There is no reason for the fans to be whining impatiently for him to make up his mind faster, but again, that does show just how much the ticket holders love seeing him play. So here's hoping that when he finally does decide, he will be playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs where he belongs. Although if he chooses to retire, Maple Leafs fans wont hold it against him.

Check back at the Toronto Maple Leafs News Ticket for updates on Mats Sundin.

About the Toronto Maple Leafs News Ticket

First of all, welcome! If you are a fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs, this blog is your ticket to all the latest news, events, and rumors. It may be a new site, but you can soon expect to see content covering all the latest issues concerning Leafs Nation, as well as my viewpoints on each one. Fellow fans of the Toronto Maple Leafs are more than welcome to leave comments at The News Ticket, as is anybody else really, but please keep them contstructive.