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!