10 Toronto Maple Leafs You Shouldn't Get Your Hopes Up About

Hope springs eternal during the summer months for all 30 teams in the NHL. The promise of a new season, providing a fresh start for all (provided the Collective Bargaining Agreement is extended), brings about optimism and enthusiasm for players and fans alike.

While it's always nice to be optimistic regarding the future prospects of one's favorite team, it's important to remain level-headed, lest reality come crashing down once the puck drops.

That said, here are 10 players plying their trade within the Toronto Maple Leafs organization, at all levels, that fans shouldn't get their hopes up about regarding their future contributions.

Tim Connolly

It wasn't a surprise when Connolly succumbed to injuries last year, keeping him out of 12 games. It was surprising to see him centering the fourth line at times, considering he was brought aboard to anchor the middle between Joffrey Lupul and Phil Kessel on the top unit.

Much criticism was levied at Brian Burke for offering Connolly $4.75 million per year, and Connolly's play did nothing to dispel the notion that the criticism wasn't warranted.

A mercurial talent, who at times displayed flashes of brilliance, Connolly is simply an overrated and overpaid player. He's a mid-40s point total kind of player masquerading as a top-flight talent because of his hands and vision.

His lack of consistency is a detriment to the Leafs, and things won't get much better next season under the defensive-minded Randy Carlyle.

Clarke MacArthur

After a career year in 2011-12 which saw MacArthur accumulate 62 points, reality set in last season and he regressed. MacArthur is a decent player to deploy on the third line, but he's out of his element in the top six.

Besides his penchant for disappearing for extended amounts of time during the course of the season, MacArthur lacks the finishing ability needed from a top-six forward. His lack of a natural goal-scoring instinct limits him, and as such, he's a fringe 20-goal scorer.

There's nothing wrong with having a "20-20" guy in the bottom six, but chances are MacArthur will see some minutes on the second line this season. The key to avoiding disappointment with him is to manage expectations and expect nothing more than around 40 points.

Matt Frattin

There is a tendency in Toronto to cling to young players displaying even a modicum of promise or potential. Matt Frattin is the latest victim of that disturbing trend.

A quick, gritty winger, Frattin endeared himself to fans last season by playing an aggressive, in-your-face game. He's had success in the NCAA, and most recently, the AHL, but his contributions at the NHL level will be limited in terms of statistics.

Frattin's finishing ability was mitigated by the fast-paced NHL game last season, and while he'll surely improve in that regard, he isn't the scoring winger the Leafs so desperately need. His contributions are the ones you don't see in the box score, such as getting in on the forecheck and killing penalties.

Marcel Mueller

Mueller improved under the tutelage of Dallas Eakins last season with the Toronto Marlies, but he needs more seasoning in the minors before he can become a regular in the NHL.

While Mueller does possess an intriguing blend of size and skill, he isn't the type of player that can impose his will upon the game. With regards to that, in order to be successful he'll need to play with talented linemates that can create scoring opportunities for him.

Further complicating matters with Mueller is the fact that the allure of the DEL, in his home country of Germany, may prove too much for him to resist should he not crack the Leafs' NHL lineup with regularity in the coming years.

Given the fact that he's still far away from being a tried-and-true NHL player, Leafs fans may very well never be afforded the opportunity to see what he can achieve in the big leagues.

Jerry D'Amigo

My, how the hype has subsided regarding D'Amigo in recent years.

Buoyed by an impressive performance for Team USA at the 2010 World Junior Championship, there was talk that D'Amigo was developing into a "can't miss" prospect.

D'Amigo had a good season in the AHL this past year, and got off to a scorching start during the Calder Cup playoffs, but he cooled considerably down the stretch. The offensive instincts are developing, but the conditioning and consistency is not.

The issue with D'Amigo is if he isn't scoring, he's likely not contributing much else. Given that he's not a pure goal scorer, he'll likely have to accept the fact that he'll be a role player in the NHL.

Nicolas Deschamps

Deschamps displayed improvement last season in the AHL after being acquired via trade, and became a more complete player.

Although he accumulated 30 points in just 40 games last season, Deschamps isn't a high-end offensive player or goal scorer. He does possess the ability to create scoring opportunities, but it's his attention to detail in all three zones that stands out when he's motivated.

The problem with Deschamps is his sometimes-lackadaisical approach to the game, which limits his effectiveness. Although he's developing a more well-rounded game, he'll be hard-pressed to become an NHL regular unless he puts forth maximum effort game in and game out.

Although some feel Deschamps can be a scoring threat in the pro ranks, his pedigree suggests otherwise. He'll be a depth forward, but whether that is in the AHL or NHL is up to him.

Leo Komarov

Komarov is a little-known entity in Toronto and his name is rather esoteric since he's been employed by Dynamo Moscow of the KHL the past three seasons.

What Komarov brings to the table is grit and physical play. He won't be an offensive force, but his physicality will be a welcome addition to an admittedly soft forward corps up front.

While rather diminutive in stature, Komarov plays much bigger than his size. The smaller, North American ice surface will be an adjustment, however.

While the Leafs are in need of the services of someone such as Komarov, it's likely that he'll find himself in the press box or the AHL at some point next season as he adapts to the pace and style of play on a new continent.

Matt Lashoff

Leafs fans would be wise to expect little from Lashoff considering two things: first, the fact that he may not receive an extension from the Leafs this summer, and second, he suffered a torn ACL last season, limiting him to just nine games with the Toronto Marlies.

The former first-round pick has proven to be the consummate teammate during his tenure with the Marlies, however, with his latest setback he may be cut loose by management.

Lashoff no doubt wants to contribute at the NHL level with the Leafs, but with a glut of defensemen already occupying the coveted six defense positions, it's unlikely to happen.

If Lashoff is re-signed, he won't see anything but spot duty, and even that is a stretch provided the defensemen on the big club are healthy.

Jussi Rynnas

Rynnas was severely overmatched at the NHL level last season, making it apparent that he needs to hone his craft in the AHL for a few more years, at least.

Built much like countryman Pekka Rinne, Rynnas is a big-bodied goaltender that utilizes his large frame to cut down shooting angles. However, his lateral movement needs work and he'll need to develop a book on shooters in an unfamiliar league.

Rynnas will improve as becomes more accustomed to his opponents' tendencies, but it's doubtful he'll be much more than a backup in the future if he can crack an NHL roster.

Philippe Dupuis

Dupuis hit his stride in the AHL last season after a 30-game audition with the Leafs. Although he led the Marlies in playoff scoring, don't expect Dupuis to make much of an impact in the NHL if he's afforded another opportunity.

Dupuis' point totals in the AHL are more the product of the game being played at a slower pace, one in which he can handle, to be frank, rather than his offensive skills.

After earning the fourth line pivot position out of training camp last year, Dupuis didn't add the grit and contribute on the penalty kill like the Leafs were hoping he would.

Although he's experienced some success in the AHL since his demotion, Dupuis will likely be an AHL player for the remainder of his career, seeing spot duty in the NHL only when the injury bug bites the parent club.