BT's 2008/09 NHL Season Preview: The Toronto Maple Leafs

Preface: So we've finally come to an end of the previews, and this is the only place that my bias will come into play—I decided to finish with my favorite team, the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The great thing about cheering for a rebuilding team? No one accuses you of favoritism because you've got them last in their division.

Once we get to 2042 though, I may have to start putting them first.

So Cliff Fletcher is going to be the GM for the foreseeable future, Ron Wilson will be the coach, and Doug Gilmour and Joe Nieuwendyk are playing integral roles in the organization.

At least it looks different than last season.

Random potshots aside however, I couldn't be happier about where the Maple Leafs are headed. They seem to have a grasp on where they want to go, and what kind of a team they're going to need to ice to get there.

Now we just have to make it through the growing pains.

Roster Additions

Jamal Mayers-F (Trade), Jeff Finger-D (F.A.), Jonas Frogren-D (F.A.), Niklas Hagman-F (F.A.), Ryan Hollweg-F (Trade), Mikhail Grabovski-F (Trade), Curtis Joseph-G (F.A.)

Roster Subtractions

Darcy Tucker-F (Buyout), Andrew Raycroft-G (Buyout), Kyle Wellwood-F (F.A.), John Pohl-F (Europe), Scott Clemmensen-G (F.A.), Mats Sundin-F (F.A.), Greg Pateryn-D (Trade)

How did 2007/08 go?

36-35-11, 83 points, 12th in Conference, last in Northeast division

2008/09 Goal

Finish top-ten in Conference

Let's break'er down...

Alright, well seeing as the Maple Leafs are a franchise that can't stand still, instead of gabbing on about what'll change between this season and last year, we've got roster updates.

Boyd Devereaux and Staffan Kronwall have just joined Mark Bell on waivers—whether that means sending them down to the AHL or not I don't know, I just report what comes across on the ticker.

We're two days away from the start of the season, and even then the rosters won't be set.

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