Picking Apart the Toronto Maple Leafs' Offseason: Did They Improve?

The Maple Leafs made a lot of different moves in the offseason, but everyone I've asked still isn't sure if the Leafs got any better as a result. Here is a breakdown of Toronto's moves:

Incoming:

Coaches: Ron Wilson, Tom Hunter, Rob Zettler.

Watch for new head coach Ron Wilson, who hired his old and new assistant coaches Tom Hunter and Rob Zettler, to lead the team to at least 10th in the Eastern Conference, and possibly eighth for a playoff spot.

Front office: Joe Nieuwendyk, Al Coates.

No, Joe Nieuwendyk is not returning as a player, he was hired as special assistant to the general manager, while Al Coates is director of player personnel.

Players: Mikhail Grabovski, Niklas Hagman, Ryan Hollweg, Jamal Mayers, Curtis Joseph, and Jeff Finger.

Mikhail Grabovski was acquired in a trade with the Habs and should be a second- or third-liner. Niklas Hagman was a free agent signing and should do the very same as Grabovski. Hollweg came over from the Rangers to add some grit and should be a healthy scratch or fourth-liner. Jamal Mayers will add some more grit as well, but should be in the lineup consistently.

Curtis Joseph makes a return to the Maple Leafs and will back up Vesa Toskala. Joseph should start 20-25 games this season. Jeff Finger was a surprise signing, but the reason it was a surprise is because of the money spent on him.

Outgoing:

Coach: Paul Maurice.

After he made a promise that the Maple Leafs would compete for the Stanley Cup in 2007-08 (and missed the playoffs), Paul Maurice was fired by the Leafs.

Players: Darcy Tucker, Kyle Wellwood, Andrew Raycroft, Scott Clemmensen, Bryan McCabe, and a player to be named that will leave with McCabe on Sept. 1.

Darcy Tucker struggled through last season (18 goals, 16 assists, 34 points) along with Kyle Wellwood and Andrew Raycroft. Scott Clemmensen is not a huge loss, but did play great for the Toronto Marlies (AHL) last season. Fletcher was likely let go because Pogge should be in the minors about one more season before he comes up in the 2009-10 season.

Bryan McCabe is another one who struggled with just five goals last season. He really had a hard time on the defense. Another player will go to Florida with McCabe on Sept. 1, but he has yet to be named.

Will the Maple Leafs be any better? That has yet to be determined, but I don't think that they will not do any worse than last year. I think that they only have about a 20 percent chance of making the playoffs, but once they have a permanent GM in place next season they should be able to make some big moves and become a playoff team.

Players to look out for:

Jason Blake, Matt Stajan, Nikolai Kulemin, Luke Schenn*, Mikahil Grabovski, Jeremy Williams, Jiri Tlusty, Pavel Kubina, and Curtis Joseph.

Blake could be a 40-goal scorer, while Matt Stajan may just become the Maple Leafs captain and contribute 20-25 goals. Nik Kulemin should score 10-15 goals in his rookie season.

Schenn has a star next to his name because it is still unclear whether he will make the team or play a year with the Marlies (AHL). Grabovski should score 15-20 goals with about 40 points. Williams will be a 20-goal scorer, and Tlusty should do the very same. Kubina will return to 12-15 goals. Joseph will have a great year, which may be his last, gathering a record of about 14-5-1 with a GAA of 2.75.

Surprises:

Jason Blake: 30-40 goals, 60-70 points.

Dominic Moore: 10 goals, 25-30 points.

Curtis Joseph: 15-4-1, GAA 2.75.

Nik Kulemin: 15 goals, 30-40 points.

Ron Wilson: Should lead the team to the playoffs in about the next two years.

Mikhail Grabovski: 15-20 goals, 40 points.

Matt Stajan: 25 goals, 60 points.

Disappointments:

Alex Steen: 10-13 goals, 25-30 points

Boyd Devereaux: 25-30 games, 5 goals.

Nik Antropov: 15-20 goals.

Alex Steen will continue to have an underachieving career while Boyd Devereaux will really struggle this season. Nik Antropov will deal with an injury-plagued season once again.

It's clearly going to be another tough season in Leaf Land, but as long as fans are willing to wait it out, it looks like the Maple Leafs are back on the right track. If the Maple Leafs can continue to stay on that track, they should make the playoffs in the next two seasons.