Nylander only drama as Leafs camp begins
Flush with talent after a run of good drafts and Marlies’ Calder Cup triumph
TORONTO — We can thank William Nylander for one thing: His contract status has created at least a semblance of drama as the Toronto Maple Leafs are set to report Thursday morning for physicals at the MasterCard Centre.
Will he sign or won’t he? Will he show or not? Who will play on Auston Matthews’ wing if not Nylander?
Without the Nylander situation, the biggest question might have been whether Josh Leivo will see regular playing time. Although there could be a more fun debate regarding whether Matthews or John Tavares is the No. 1 centre. After all, they each produced precisely 1.02 points per game last year.
One thing is clear, the Maple Leafs are a very good team, with or without Nylander. Better with him, for sure. But they’ll get by without him through pre-season.
The Leafs are brimming with talent: They have young players who are looking for bigger roles, Toronto Marlies who are hoping to convert their Calder Cup experience into National Hockey League playing time, and added free agents — beyond Tavares — who are looking to fill some holes.
There are issues. Somehow coach Mike Babcock needs to replace the offence and power-play presence of James van Riemsdyk. Babcock loves his righty-lefty matchups at centre but has lost one of the best right-handed centremen in the league in Tyler Bozak. The grit and defence of Leo Komarov and Roman Polak are gone, as well as the toughness of Matt Martin.
Here’s a look at who’s in, who’s out and who’s pushing for a job.
Forwards
OUT: Winger James van Riemsdyk, centre Tyler Bozak, winger Leo Komarov, centre Tomas Plekanec, winger Matt Martin, centre Ben Smith, centre Miro Aaltonen, centre Dominic Moore.
IN: Centre John Tavares, centre Par Lindholm, winger Tyler Ennis, winger Adam Cracknell, winger Josh Jooris.
SKINNY: The Leafs are deepest at forward, certainly at centre with Tavares, Matthews and Nazem Kadri. The fourthline job is open and would seem to pit Lindholm against Frederik Gauthier. Lindholm, 26, scored close to a point a game last year in the Swedish league. The 23year-old Gauthier, a one-time first-round pick of the Leafs, might be in for one last chance to show off what he can do . ... Kasperi Kapanen and Andreas Johnsson — the MVP of the Calder Cup — could be in for much bigger roles thanks to their speed. Johnsson can provide offence, but in a very different way than van Riemsdyk ... Ennis and Jooris give the Leafs some depth ... Carl Grundstrom will get a long look at a fourth-line role, but is more likely a mid-season call up . ... Pierre Engvall’s seamless transition to the North American game could mean the six-foot-five winger challenges for a role.
PROJECTED LINES
Zach Hyman-John Tavares-Mitch Marner
Patrick Marleau-Auston Matthews William Nylander/Kasperi Kapanen
Andreas Johnsson-Nazem Kadri-Connor Brown
Josh Jooris-Par Lindholm-Joshn Leivo Extra: Tyler Ennis
On the doorstep: Carl Grundstrom, Pierre Engvall, Adam Brooks, Mason Marchment
Defence
OUT: Roman Polak
IN: Igor Ozhiganov, Jordan Subban
SKINNY: The Leaf blue line is deemed to be the team’s weakness. Given the power up front, defenceman won’t be judged so much on how they play in their own end, but how quickly they can force a turnover and moved the puck up to the forwards . ... The Leafs continue to have a lefty-righty imbalance . ... Ozhiganov, a free agent signing from Russia, is a right-handed shot, giving him an advantage over the likes of Calle Rosen and Andreas Borgman, each of whom got a chance last year with the Leafs . ... Connor Carrick, another right-handed shot, should retain a roster spot as the sixth or seventh defenceman . ... Justin Holl had a terrific Calder Cup playoffs and could make a pitch for a spot if Ozhiganov is deemed not yet ready for North American ice . ... Both 2017 and ’18 top picks — Timothy Liljegren and Rasmus Sandin — probably will need more seasoning.
PROJECTED PAIRS
Morgan Rielly-Ron Hainsey
Jake Gardiner-Nikita Zaitsev Travis Dermott-Igor Ozhiganov Extra: Connor Carrick
On the doorstep: Andreas Borgman, Calle Rosen, Justin Holl, Timothy Liljegren
Goaltending
IN: Eamon McAdam
SKINNY: The Leafs seem to have a plethora of riches in a position where depth is key. Frederik Andersen (38-21-5, 2.18, .918) is the bona fide No. 1, looking forward to another 60-plus games . ... Curtis McElhinney (11-5-1, .215, .934) was splendid as a backup but at 35 is vulnerable to the youth of 25-year-old Garret Sparks, the AHL’s top goalie last year, or 26-year-old Calvin Pickard. The Leafs risk losing either of those two to waivers if they try to send them back to the Marlies . ... A trade is quite likely with plenty of depth in the minors with the returning Kasimir Kaskisuo, and McAdam, acquired from the Islanders in the Matt Martin trade.
PROJECTED TANDEM
Frederik Andersen
Curtis McElhinney
On the doorstep: Garret Sparks