Maple Leafs Enter Camp With a Remade Roster
Toronto's overhaul brings a new general manager, coaching staff, starting goalie and No. 1 pick into a camp built around health and lineup questions.
The Toronto Maple Leafs open training camp after one of the NHL's largest offseason overhauls, with a new front office, coaching staff, starting goaltender and a roster reshaped after the club missed the playoffs.
General manager John Chayka added Sergei Bobrovsky, Darren Raddysh, Jack Roslovic, Nick Paul, Colton Sissons, Brandon Duhaime, Teddy Blueger, Emil Andrae, Zack MacEwan and No. 1 overall pick Gavin McKenna. Joseph Woll, Brandon Carlo, Nick Robertson, Matias Maccelli, Dennis Hildeby, Simon Benoit and Calle Jarnkrok were among the departures.
Health is the first major question. Auston Matthews has not played in more than six months following knee surgery, while Chris Tanev appeared in 11 games last season. Max Domi is out indefinitely following surgery, and injuries limited Paul to 51 games.
McKenna's role will be another camp focus. Daniel Alfredsson is expected to use Raddysh, Matthews and William Nylander on the first power-play unit, leaving two spots for Matthew Knies, John Tavares and the 18-year-old rookie. McKenna could also begin at left wing beside either Matthews or Tavares at even strength.
The defense remains a concern after Toronto allowed 295 goals last season, the most in the Eastern Conference. Sportsnet calculated that the club's top five defensemen average 33 years old, adding urgency to camp evaluations and any in-season search for another puck-moving option.
Bobrovsky said the early priority is building chemistry and trust inside a group that changed substantially over the summer.
