RealGM

As crazy as it sounds the season looks to begin on January 19th (11 days away). Guys will be out of shape and have very little time to practice. The amnesties can't be used until after this season or after the 2013-2014 season.

My prediction:

Lupul-Bozak-Kessel
Van Riemsdyk-Grabovski-McArthur
Kulemin-McClement-Frattin
Komarov-Steckel-Connolly

Extras: Brown, Lombardi

In an ideal world Connolly and Lombardi would both be gone but we'll have to live with them for one more season and then they become free agents. I'd like to see Kadri in there somewhere but he's useless in a 3rd/4th line role and he hasn't showed enough to be a top 6 forward.

Phaneuf-Gunnarson
Liles-Komisarek
Rielly-Ranger

Extra: Holzer
INJ: Gardiner

I have Rielly in the lineup but I think he'll be sent down to the minors when Gardiner returns from injury. I don't think the Leafs will bring back Franson who is a RFA. Komisarek will hopefully be bought out after the season because his ridiculous salary can be used on a much better player. Mike Kostka is also another possiblity here as he's absolutely destroying the AHL in Dman scoring with 34 points in 33 games.

Reimer
Scrivens

We have to hope for a bounce back season for Reimer or for Scrivens to step up and take over. That is unless we end up trading for Luongo and his enormous contract.

For the most part I think it will be status quo this year for the Leafs. Bunch of overpaid veterans getting undeserving minutes. A few young guys hopefully developing. Next offseason is where the Leafs really need to make a big move. Connolly, Lupul, Lombardi, Steckel, Bozak, McArthur are all unrestricted free agents. Add in Komisareks amnesty (hopefully) and we will have a ton of cap space to throw at the likes of Getzlaf and Perry. I don't see anything more than 8-12 seed in the East for this season but it is a short season so things are more up in the air than ususal.

Lupul-Bozak-Kessel
JVR-Grabovski-Kulemin
Frattin-McClement-MacArthur
Komarov-Steckel-Brown

X-Connolly, Lombardi

Phaneuf-Gunnarson
Liles-Komisarek
Holzer-Kotska (Until Gardiner is healthy)

Reimer
Scrivens

This team needs some serious help on the back end. If we can get Franson to come back and Gardiner gets healthy pretty quick were actually not looking that bad.

Phaneuf-Gunnarson
Gardiner-Franson
Holzer-Liles

X-Komisarek

Thats not bad, imo.

Overall, I can see this team making the playoffs, but I could also see them finishing in the bottom 5 again.

Anyone know if we're allowed to send Rielly to the farm team if he's played the 10 games w/ the Leafs? Is the 10 game period there so CHL teams have some stability with who will be in their lineup? I think Rielly could make this team out of the get go but there is a log jam on the blue line and management might be plan to take it slow and keep him down w/ Moose Jaw.

Is Komarov coming back to North America or will he be staying in the KHL?

And I hope the Leafs do not attempt to put JVR at centre.

I agree w/ Adrian on the fwd lines but differ a bit on the D:

Phaneuf-Liles
Gunnar-Franson
Gardiner-Komi

X- Holzer

Looking at our D, I see some positives but concerned w/ the lack of defensive presence. The 6-9 d men that could make the team are not defensiviely minded and I don't really see anyone that could be relied upon as an anchor, especially in our own end. I haven't watched Rielly, Kotska, or Holzer with any detail but Rielly and Kotska are both offensive minded and Holzer is a our only traditional d man but he's not ready to step into a shut down role for the Leafs. Then you look at the six that have been with the team; Phaneuf, Liles, Gunnarsson, Franson, Gardiner and Komi - none of them are good in their own end and shouldn't be relied on.

I don't want Reilly anywhere near the team this year. Let him finish the year off in the WHL. With that said, I could see Paul Ranger on the roster this year.

^I believe Ranger does not want to be back in the NHL. Apparently the travel is something he doesnt like. Said he would prefer to stay in the AHL.