[scottyy11]

The Leafs made a change behind the bench with former Canes coach Paul Maurice taking over who impressed the Leafs front office after coaching their AHL team the Toronto Marlies. This should help the younger players in the leaf organization as Pat Burns always seem to hold them back in favor of older veterans. With Maurice knowing the Leaf farm system well you should expect to see a few of them make the team and getting ice time.

Ed Belfour is also gone replaced by former Bruin Andy Raycroft who had a off year last year and some injury troubles. If Raycroft can't recapture his form a up and coming Justin Pogge could get a chance though expect him to start out with the farm team (Marlies). The backup will be either Mikael Tellqvist or JS Aubin. Aubin played very well at the end of last year .

Often injured Eric Lindros left for Dallas but should be easily replaced by Mike Pecca a solid two way player who should be a major addition to the Leafs penalty killing which is so important with the new rules that were brought in last year. Pecca is a multiple Selke Trophy winner and has long been thought of as one of the top defensive forwards in the NHL. Team cheerleader Tie Domi was also released but was easily replaced by a bucket of pucks.

Overall it should be a transition year for the Leafs but it is possible they could pick up one of the final playoff spots just too many new faces to go along with a new system to know.

[psycho44]

Lindros was just a blip on Toronto's franchise. He never contributed to Toronto so no worry who replaces him.

With the new NHL rules last year and Toronto being a team full of oldies (veterans), they couldn't handle the speed of the youngsters. Just look at the 2 teams in the Stanley cup play-offs. Edmonton and some other team that were full of youngsters.

I like Peca. He should be a strong force come play-off time and he's got great leadership skills. He's the type of player that makes those around him take it up a notch in their game-play.

goooooooooo Toronto

[scottyy11]

Not sure if they will have as many points as last year but am sure they will be more exciting to watch, seemed like the effort was missing alot last year specially near the end when it was needed the most.

[bigboydan]

I think the leafs could be in for another long year this year. This team doesn't know if it's in rebuild mode, or building mode. It's goning to be one interesting year for leafs fans to say the least IMO