Leafs remain work in progress
Team hopes new GM, coach, players, lines puts past behind them
As the Maple Leafs enter their 96th year — and 46th year without a Stanley Cup — they have to believe that change is for the better.
Because the pace of change on the Leafs — from last year to this — has been incredible.
From an entirely new third line to new defensive pairings and changes in net, there are nine players on Toronto’s 23-man roster who were not part of the team’s opening night a season ago.
There’s also a new head coach (Randy Carlyle) and a new general manager (Dave Nonis) who has established, with the trade of Matthew Lombardi and the waiving of Tim Connolly, that he is not afraid of change.
“We’re continuing to improve our roster and build the team as best as we can,” said Nonis on the eve of the opener in Montreal. “There’s nothing that we can do to flip the roster over completely. We’re happy with a lot of our players.
“We’re going to continue to add to the roster when we can — whether it’s the odd free agent or making deals as we move forward. We need to continue to add pieces that will be here for a long time.”
The team made its final cuts on Friday. Defenceman Morgan Rielly was sent back to Moose Jaw of the WHL for more seasoning, while Matt Frattin was returned to the Marlies after a disappointing camp. Connolly was also sent to the Marlies — at $4.75 million (U.S.) a year — after clearing waivers.
The Leafs promise to be younger, faster and more competitive.
“We’re going to have to battle,” said sniper Phil Kessel, who’ll be expected to lead. “There’s always optimism. We have a good team. We’re going to play hard. ”
Kessel will be back with Tyler Bozak and Joffrey Lupul, the team’s most effective line last season. And the second line of Mikhail Grabovski with Nikolai Kulemin and Clarke MacArthur remains intact.
But James van Riemsdyk, Nazem Kadri and Leo Komarov now form the team’s revamped third line. On paper, it’s an upgrade over Matthew Lombardi, Colby Armstrong and Philippe Dupuis, who comprised the third unit in the opener against Montreal last season.
“We all bring something different to the table,” said van Riemsdyk. “Kadri is creative and has a lot of offensive ability and can make plays other guys can’t. Then you have Leo (Komarov) who has quite a bit of skill, skates really well and is physical and creates havoc out there.
“I think I can be the guy that gets open and puts pucks to the net and crash the net.”
And Colton Orr is back on the fourth line after losing his enforcer’s job to the now-departed Jay Rosehill. Carlyle had a sit-down with Orr over the summer, promising him a solid shot if he got himself into shape and improved his game. Orr delivered.
“I’ve always been an underdog,” said Orr. “I’ve always had to work to be in the league. And I’ll have to continue to work to stay here.”
Jay McClement joins Orr on the line with Mike Brown.
On defence, gone is Luke Schenn, replaced as the stay-at-home defender by Mark Fraser or maybe Korbinian Holzer. Because he’s in- jured, Jake Gardiner isn’t part of the opening lineup, clearing a spot for Mike Kostka as the puck-moving defender.
Neither Fraser nor Kostka could quite believe their good fortune.
“It’s happened so quickly,” said Fraser. “I was optimistic because I have been playing (with the Marlies). I want to play physical and play hard. I want to keep things simple in my end but truly be a punishing, physical defenceman.”
Kostka, who grew up a Leaf fan, is likely to be paired with Dion Phaneuf. Born in Etobicoke with his family now in Ajax, Kostka is 27 and has yet to play an NHL game.
“I’ve worked hard to fill the gaps (in my game) at both ends of the ice,” said Kostka. “Given an opportunity like this, I wasn’t going to give them a chance to tell me I had a hole in my game.
“To be honest, it’s pretty surreal right now.”
In goal, Ben Scrivens has replaced Jonas Gustavsson, last season’s backup, in what could well be a season-long drama. James Reimer started the last season against Montreal with a shutout, but may not be the starter on Saturday. Carlyle reveals little about who will start.
“The one who stops the puck the most (will start),” said Carlyle. “The game hasn’t changed that much. That little round black thing, they stop that, they get the next one. We’ll go with the best goalie, the goalie we feel will give us the best chance on that given night.”