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!