The Maple Leafs started down a rebuilding path last summer after hiring new team president Brendan Shanahan, but that was barely dipping a toe in the water compared to this summer’s deep dive into the rebuilding process. They hired a new coach in Mike Babcock, traded their best player in Phil Kessel and eventually hired a new GM in Lou Lamoriello. So this is the start of a new era.

The Leafs have aggressively stockpiled prospects with an eye to the future and all of their signings this summer have been short-term, low-money deals, many of which could get flipped in order to acquire more picks and prospects.

Defenceman Morgan Rielly and prospects William Nylander, Mitch Marner and Kasperi Kapanen should be part of the long-term future, but there is a lot to be determined about which other current players will be sticking around. Some of that will depend on how they fit with head coach Mike Babcock because when a coach is in the first year of an eight-year contract, the players are going to have to fit his plan and not the other way around.

When it comes to the future of James van Riemsdyk, Nazem Kadri, Jake Gardiner and Jonathan Bernier, their play will determine the team’s long-term plan, but most of the others on this roster will, ultimately, be expendable.

If the Leafs can stick to the plan, it’s the right process for rebuilding. But in the meantime, there's likely to be some pain because even if everything goes right, it’s not likely they can be a good team this year.

 

OFF-SEASON HEADLINES

May 20: Mike Babcock leaves Red Wings to join Leafs as new head coach

July 1: Maple Leafs trade Phil Kessel to Penguins 

July 23: Lou Lamoriello resigns from Devils, joins Maple Leafs as new general manager

 

2015-16 TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS

* Off-season Addition

 

TSN's Projected Lines

LW C RW
James van Riemsdyk Tyler Bozak Joffrey Lupul
Shawn Matthias* Nazem Kadri P-A Parenteau*
Richard Panik Peter Holland Michael Grabner*
Leo Komarov Mark Arcobello* Daniel Winnik*
Nick Spaling* Sam Carrick  

Fighting For Jobs: LW Curtis Glencross (PTO), RW Matt Frattin, LW Josh Leivo, C William Nylander, RW Devin Setoguchi (PTO) 

 

TSN's Projected Pairs

LD RD
Jake Gardiner Dion Phaneuf
Morgan Rielly Roman Polak
Matt Hunwick* Martin Marincin*
  Stephane Robidas

Fighting For Jobs: LD T.J. Brennan, LD Stuart Percy, RD Petter Granberg

 

TSN's Projected Goalies

No. 1 No. 2
Jonathan Bernier James Reimer

Off-season Departures: RW Phil Kessel, LW David Booth, D Eric Brewer, D Tim Erixon, LW Taylor Beck, RW Colton Orr

 

 

KEY QUESTIONS

1. Will Nazem Kadri supplant Tyler Bozak as the No. 1 centre?

2. Will 19-year-old centre-winger William Nylander force his way into lineup?

3. Will left-shooting Dion Phaneuf play right defence full-time under Mike Babcock?

 

CRAIG'S LISTS

Button's Top 2015-16 Prospects

1. William Nylander (Toronto, AHL): Nifty C/W may well be the Leafs' top prospect puckhandler.
2. Andreas Johnson (Frolunda, Swe): Scoring W had 22 goals, fifth most in Swedish League.

Button's Top 5 Long-Term Prospects

1. Mitch Marner (London, OHL): Skilled right winger distributes puck as well as anyone in the organization.
2. Connor Brown (Toronto, AHL): Ryan Callahan clone finds a way to contribute offensively.
3. Kasperi Kapanen (Kalpa, Fin): Gifted, but erratic LW needs to become consistently productive.  
4. Viktor Loov (Toronto, AHL): Strong skating D is adept at getting puck out of zone.
5. Frederik Gauthier (Rimouski, QMJHL): 2013 first-rounder headed for role in faceoffs and penalty-killing.

* Listed with 2014-15 teams

 

NUMBERS

 

Three-Year Breakdown (League Rank)

  2012-13 2013-14 2014-15
Points 97* (9th) 84 (23rd) 68 (27th)
Goals For 3.0 (6th) 2.7 (14th) 2.5 (24th)
Goals Against 2.7 (17th) 3.1 (26th) 3.1 (T-27th)
Power Play 19% (14th) 20% (T-5th) 16% (26th)
Penalty Killing 88% (2nd) 78% (28th) 80% (22nd)
SAT% Possession 44% (30th) 43% (30th) 46% (27th)

* 2012-13 points: Pro-rated lockout-shortened total

 

ESTIMATED PAYROLL VS. CAP: $67.9M/$71.4M

This includes a $5.3 million cap hit for injured winger Nathan Horton, which can be put on LTIR, if necessary. With Toronto in the midst of a rebuild, it would be surprising if they came close to any cap difficulties this season.

 

PARTING SHOT