The Toronto Maple Leafs open training camp for the 2015-16 season with medicals and media availability on Thursday at the Mastercard Center in Etobicoke, ON before heading to Halifax, Nova Scotia for a weekend of on-ice sessions prior to the start of the eight-game exhibition schedule with split-squad games against the Ottawa Senators next Monday.
The club under head coach Mike Babcock will have a new philosophy that many players who are holdovers from the Randy Carlyle era will have to adjust to if they hope to be part of the future in Toronto. Here is a preview of what the Leafs will head to camp with at each position and what can be expected when Babcock and new GM Lou Lamoriello cut down to 23 players in a few weeks.
Defense
The Leafs blueline underwent some tinkering during the offseason, but not the wholesale changes that many expected. The club traded Cody Franson and Korbinian Holzer, did not re-sign veteran Eric Brewer, added
Martin Marincin from Edmonton and signed free agent
Matt Hunwick away from the New York Rangers.
Team captain
Dion Phaneuf endured some criticism of his leadership last season, but still led the club in ice time. Babcock is a believer in the defenseman’s abilities and expects a big season out of the 30-year-old, but there have been hints of a slight reduction in the burden placed on Phaneuf and more of an emphasis on playing with a physical edge as he did early in his career with Calgary.
The player who may be the beneficiary of a decreased role for Phaneuf would be 20-year-old
Morgan Rielly, who showed growth in his sophomore year and did not appear overwhelmed when given 20+ minutes per night on a regular basis. Rielly led the Leafs in goals by a defenseman and showed good playmaking skills, superior speed and the ability to jump into the offensive attack, but still has some things to learn about playing in his own zone.
Jake Gardiner could be one of the key components on the Leafs blueline this season if Babcock can somehow curb the 24-year-old’s poor decision-making, propensity for giveaways and defensive gaffes. The Leafs head coach prefers defensemen with skating ability and Gardiner fits that description, but his offensive production last year was not sufficient to put up with defensive imperfections.
Veteran
Stephane Robidas had another injury-shortened season, playing 52 games after being shutdown early to surgically repair a shoulder injury. It is unknown whether the 38-year-old defenseman still has what it takes to still be effective.
Roman Polak also had his season ended early due to hernia surgery, but the 28-year-old should be able to provide hitting, shot-blocking and stabiility on the Leafs blueline, but his free agent status next summer may see him become a trade commodity closer to the trade deadline.
Depth Options – The Leafs had
Petter Granberg penciled in as a bottom-pairing candidate, but an offseason Achilles injury will keep the big Swede out until at least Christmas. The 6’4”, 203 lb Marincin will be in the mix, but the 23-year-old Slovak failed to perform consistently the last two seasons with Edmonton, a team with severe deficiencies on the blueline.
Hunwick was signed to a two-year contract after effectively filling in for the injured Kevin Klein and Dan Boyle in New York and was likely signed as a experienced go-to option in case of injury.
TJ Brennan was reacquired at the trade deadline and given a six game tryout with the Leafs at the end of the season, but it is likely that the former Eddie Shore Trophy winner(the AHL equivalent of the Norris Trophy) was brought back to play with the Marlies.
Stuart Percy made his NHL debut last October and impressed in a nine-game stint, but struggled for the rest of the season with consistency and injuries after being sent down to the AHL. The approach taken towards Percy was something that Leafs Assistant GM Kyle Dubas says the club will try to avoid in the future, as the 21-year-old was not completely ready to make the jump to the big leagues.
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The Maple Leafs released their 73-man training camp roster on Wednesday and the list included the name of former Toronto and New Jersey defenseman Mark Fraser, who has been signed on a professional tryout contract. The 28-year-old defenseman played 64 games over two seasons with Toronto and was traded to Edmonton in January 2014.
After becoming a unrestricted free agent, Fraser was signed by the Devils to a one-year contract and played 52 games with Albany and New Jersey last season.
See Previous Columns
Leafs Training Camp Preview - Goaltending; Phaneuf Never Asked For Trade
Skill On Display; Leafs Announce Camp Additions, Broadcast Schedule
Kapanen Keeping It Real, Sunday News and Notes
First Impressions Of Leafs Prospects At Rookie Tournament
Swedes In Stereo; Sundin Joins Salming On Legend’s Row
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