What You Need to Know About the 2014 Training Camp for the Toronto Maple Leafs

The wait is over as the Toronto Maple Leafs' training camp has opened as the team prepares for the 2014-15 season.

While every NHL team has reason for optimism, some teams have more reason to believe that the upcoming season will be better than last year's. The Leafs should be part of that latter group.

With a number of changes to the roster, training camp will allow the revamped coaching staff to assess a new crop of depth forwards, some veteran defenders and some young rearguards.

Let's take a look at some of the key things that fans need to know about the Leafs' training camp.

General Information

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Training camp will be based at the MasterCard Centre in Toronto which serves as the practice facility for both the Leafs and the AHL's Toronto Marlies.

The Leafs hit the ice on Friday with scrimmages scheduled for both Saturday and Sunday at the MasterCard Centre. The first pre-season game will be in London, Ontario against the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday, Sep. 22.

The Leafs have 64 players at the main camp.

The regular season kicks off at home against the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday, Oct. 8.

Keep an Eye on Nazem Kadri

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While fans will want to get a glimpse of all the players, Nazem Kadri should be a point of focus. This could be a decisive year for the talented Leafs pivot.

While Tyler Bozak has been adequate as a first-line centre, his hold on that spot has never seemed that strong.

Kadri has the offensive skills to be a very good No. 1 centre. If he commits to playing strong two-way hockey, there is every reason to believe that he could be paired with Phil Kessel and James van Riemsdyk to form a potent attacking unit.

Watch the Battle in Goal

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While accepted wisdom indicates Jonathan Bernier will be the team's starter in goal, James Reimer will not willingly take a backup role.

While Bernier's .922 save percentage last season was exemplary, Reimer has proven he can be an NHL starter. While he may be destined to do so elsewhere, Randy Carlyle will ride the goaltender who will give the club the best opportunity to win.

Teams must have two strong goaltenders to be playoff contenders. The Leafs meet that requirement and the battle to be the starter begins at training camp.

The Young Guns Will Showcase Talent

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The organization must continue to stockpile prospects, but there are a number of intriguing players at training camp.

No skater is more talented than Swedish star William Nylander. The slick playmaker has exceptional speed and loves to handle the puck.

His offensive skills are NHL-ready, but he may not be ready for prime-time play in terms of his overall game.

Towering Frederik Gauthier, Josh Leivo and Stuart Percy are all worth keeping an eye on if you get the opportunity to head down to the MasterCard Centre.

One player that may not get a lot of press, but who could be a diamond in the rough, is Rinat Valiev. The young Russian defender has a big game that could translate well to the NHL down the road.

Look to See Who Is Paired with the Captain

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With Carl Gunnarsson now a member of the St. Louis Blues, it remains to be seen who will play with captain Dion Phaneuf.

Phaneuf will play a lot of minutes once again in 2014-15. With Jake Gardiner's recent signing, it might signal that he will get a lot of top-pairing minutes this season.

Phaneuf may also be paired with newcomer Roman Polak, which would free up the Edmonton, Alberta native to return to playing a more offensive game.

Seeing who is paired with the Leafs' top defender will be a must-watch story at training camp.

All information can be found on the Toronto Maple Leafs website.