Post by LeafsGM on Oct 18, 2012 13:19:32 GMT -5
It’s been a great three months for the Leafs, coming off the franchise’s first ever cup celebration. The hangovers are gone, high has worn off, the cup is back with the keeper, and it’s time to get back to work.
Many changes have come for the JGHL universe- new system, new rules, and improved rosters. The Leafs have seen a few changes as well. Some key pieces will be absent- Marty St Louis (free agency), Keith Yandle (cap space), and Nikolai Kulemin in the top 6.
Some of the new faces added in the off season include: Evgeni Nabokov, Chris Neil, and Craig Adams. Defending playoffs MVP Tim Thomas will be a welcome return as he chose to stay with Toronto after testing free agency. Aside from those changes, the cup winning group will be back.
To win the Norris division will not be a cake walk. The newly improved Nashville Predators are considered by many to be the early cup favorite. Then of course there are the 3 time champs, Calgary Flames who look as deadly as they did in the cup winning days. The Bruins will be solid as usual, and The Hurricanes are bound to compete as well.
League wide the competition will be more fierce than ever. Many teams have improved immensely via free agency and trade. With no guarantees, the Leafs will be going in to the season with one goal- make the playoffs and see what happens. We caught up with GM Sorokin at media day who had this to say: "The team showed a lot of heart in the cup run. We may not be going in with the best roster, but I can guarantee our fans that we will be going for the repeat."
Reporting live from the ACC, for CBC, Elliot Freedman.
Many changes have come for the JGHL universe- new system, new rules, and improved rosters. The Leafs have seen a few changes as well. Some key pieces will be absent- Marty St Louis (free agency), Keith Yandle (cap space), and Nikolai Kulemin in the top 6.
Some of the new faces added in the off season include: Evgeni Nabokov, Chris Neil, and Craig Adams. Defending playoffs MVP Tim Thomas will be a welcome return as he chose to stay with Toronto after testing free agency. Aside from those changes, the cup winning group will be back.
To win the Norris division will not be a cake walk. The newly improved Nashville Predators are considered by many to be the early cup favorite. Then of course there are the 3 time champs, Calgary Flames who look as deadly as they did in the cup winning days. The Bruins will be solid as usual, and The Hurricanes are bound to compete as well.
League wide the competition will be more fierce than ever. Many teams have improved immensely via free agency and trade. With no guarantees, the Leafs will be going in to the season with one goal- make the playoffs and see what happens. We caught up with GM Sorokin at media day who had this to say: "The team showed a lot of heart in the cup run. We may not be going in with the best roster, but I can guarantee our fans that we will be going for the repeat."
Reporting live from the ACC, for CBC, Elliot Freedman.