NHL Northeast Preview: Toronto Maple Leafs

By beefing up his fourth line and defense core GM Brian Burke addressed his major concern about the Leafs and their lack of toughness. Burke also took a leap on Swedish goaltender Jonas Gustavsson in a hope he is able to be just as good in the NHL as in Sweden.

Burke, however, failed to add a top six forward to the mix prompting worries that the Leafs will not be able to score goals this coming season. All things considered, Burke did a good job for a first step in his rebuild of the Toronto Maple Leafs

General Manager

Brian Burke

Head Coach

Ron Wilson

Additions

Mike Komisarek D (FA, MON), Garnett Exelby D (Trade, ATL), Colten Orr F (FA, NYR), Jonas Gustavsson (FA, SWE), Francois Beauchemin (FA, ANA), Rickard Wallin F (FA, SWE), Wayne Primeau F (Trade, CAL), Joey Macdonald G (FA, NYI)

Subtractions

Pavel Kubina D (Trade, ATL), Tim Stapleton F (Trade, ATL), Anton Stralman D (Trade, CAL), Colin Stuart (Trade, CAL), Justin Pogge (Trade, ANA), Martin Gerber (FA, KHL),

Jamie Sifers D (FA, MIN), Jeremy Williams F (FA, DET), Kris Newbury F (FA, DET), Jamie Heward D (FA), Olaf Kozlig G (FA)

Top Goalie

Vesa Toskala

Top Forward(s)

Alexei Ponikarovsky, Jason Blake

Top Defenseman

Tomas Kaberle

Rookie To Watch

Tyler Bozak

Potential Training Camp Surprise(s)

Nazem Kadri, Mikhail Stefanovich

Projected Divisional Finish

Fifth Place