Complete Guide to the 2015 Offseason for the Toronto Maple Leafs

Tom Urtz Jr.Apr 12, 2015

There is never a dull moment in the hockey mecca of Toronto, and Sunday was no different. The team announced the firing of general manager Dave Nonis, head coach Peter Horachek and the dismissal of other members of the team's staff.

It isn't surprising after the horrendous season the Maple Leafs just had, and Brendan Shanahan looks ready to start a much-needed rebuild. The Leafs fired Randy Carlyle earlier this season, and the next steps could include moving out some players after adding a new coach and general manager.

Everything is happening right now, and here's a complete guide to the Toronto Maple Leafs' offseason.

Season Recap

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Top Performers

When you look at the Maple Leafs roster, no one stands out in a positive light. Almost every player declined offensively, and there really are no players to spotlight. The only one worth mentioning would be Morgan Rielly, as the 20-year-old defender scored eight goals and added 21 assists for 29 points.

He took the next step as a young defender and has the potential to be an impact player in 2015-16.

Biggest Disappointments

Everyone. Things were bleak in Toronto this year, and it started with the top players. Phil Kessel tallied only 25 goals and 61 points. Nazem Kadri's points-per-game average dropped by 0.11. Tyler Bozak recorded the same amount of points as last season, but it took him 24 more games to do so.

Jonathan Bernier and James Reimer's overall statistics tanked big time, and the list goes on, and on...and on.

Final Analysis

The Maple Leafs were a bad hockey team this year, especially on the road. They finished with a record of 30-44-8 and recorded only eight wins away from the Air Canada Centre. From December 31 to April 8, they posted a total record of 1-21-3, and the team won only nine times after Randy Carlyle was relieved of his duties.

This team has a lot of things to fix, and it could be an interesting rebuild.

Biggest Storylines to Follow

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"Are you not entertained?"

Who will become the next head coach?
Who will become the next general manager?
Who isn't going to be traded?

It seemed like a fait accompli that Brendan Shanahan was going to clean house at the end of the season. The big question now becomes, Who is going to replace Dave Nonis and Randy Carlyle?

The top choice to fill both vacancies would obviously be Mike Babcock, but he is still employed by the Detroit Red Wings. If the Leafs feel they have a shot at Babcock, both vacancies will stay open for the next few weeks.

If they feel they don't have a shot, they could consider Pete DeBoer for the head coaching job, as he was linked to Toronto in the past, according to Thomas Drance of The Score.

There is also a chance the team could wait to see what the San Jose Sharks do with Todd McLellan, as the veteran bench boss has a track record of success that would make him a nice fit in Toronto. In all likelihood the team will sit until all the candidates are on the table, because it would be foolhardy to make a decision before the best possible targets are available.

After the GM and coaching decisions are made, it will be time to target the roster. Phil Kessel and Dion Phaneuf were being shopped at the trade deadline, and ultimately they remained in Toronto. They appear to be goners, because both are polarizing figures who have been berated by the media for a long time.

It will be interesting to see who else is moved out of town, and the summer could get intriguing in Ontario.

Notable Players Hitting Free Agency

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David Booth: The forward is set to become a free agent, and the 30-year-old made $1.1 million this past season. In 59 games he tallied 13 points, and he hasn't been able to channel the success he had earlier in his career with the Florida Panthers.

Eric Brewer: The veteran rearguard spent 18 games with the Maple Leafs and recorded two goals and three assists for five points. The 35-year-old's effectiveness as a blueliner is starting to dwindle, and he is unlikely to return to Toronto for another season.

TOP NEWS

Bleacher Report1w

Bleacher Report1w

Top Free Agents

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"Trust me Brendan, it gets better if you don't wear a tie."

The Leafs are in an interesting situation because they have a number of restricted free agents to sign before thinking about adding new players. They also will probably look to recoup a multitude of assets if they deal Dion Phaneuf and Phil Kessel before free agency, because that would allow them to better gauge their main needs.

As it currently stands, the Leafs have just about $54 million against the salary cap, and that would leave them $15 million if the cap number were $69 million. That doesn't include potential new deals for Jonathan Bernier and Nazem Kadri, so let's just say Toronto could potentially have $9 million to play with if Bernier and Kadri get a healthy raise.

With $9 million available, the Leafs could target a winger like Justin Williams or Chris Stewart to play on the second line, or they could try to finally sign Brad Richards for down the middle. If the Leafs want help on the blue line, Andrej Sekera could be a top target because of his ability to play top-four minutes.

Best Options at the NHL Draft

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The Maple Leafs have a 9.5 percent chance of winning the draft lottery, and if that happens, they will be taking superstar forward Connor McDavid. He is the best player in the draft and has franchise player potential that hasn't been seen since Sidney Crosby was drafted in 2005.

The Leafs in all likelihood will draft No. 4 overall, and at that position they will have the option to draft a number of talented players.

If available at No. 4, the Maple Leafs should take McDavid's teammate Dylan Strome. The 6'3", 187-pound pivot has a ton of potential and could conceivably make the jump to the NHL within the next year or two. He projects to be a quality first-line center and can really help kick-start the Leafs' journey back toward relevancy.

If he is taken third overall, the Leafs should go after Mitch Marner of the London Knights. He is another talented center and is similar in style to Patrick Kane, and it helps that both are about the same size and played for the Knights.

Noah Hanifin is going to be a good defender, but nabbing an impact forward in this draft should be a priority.

Players Who Could Be on the Trading Block

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Phil Kessel and Dion Phaneuf are the most likely players to be moved because of their contracts and the return they could net for the franchise. In addition to the big two, the Leafs could potentially look to deal Nazem Kadri and one of James Reimer and Jonathan Bernier.

Back in January the Leafs were willing to entertain offers on Kadri, and given Shanahan's public reprimanding of the young center, would anyone be surprised if his RFA rights were sent in a package at the draft? Kadri has potential, but it appears the Leafs are at a crossroads with him.

The battery of Reimer and Bernier was bad this season, but there's a chance they could sell a team on their talent in a new location. This season Devan Dubnyk was an example of a maligned goaltender thriving in a new market, and you can expect the Leafs will try to convince another team that Reimer and Bernier could do the same thing.

Prospects Most Likely to Debut in 2015-16

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The player the Leafs draft with their first-round pick may make a debut next season, but for now we can focus on players who are already in the organization.

William Nylander is a dynamic prospect who should be ready to make his debut for the Maple Leafs next season. He tallied 20 points in 21 games while playing for MODO of the SHL, and then he made the jump to North America.

In the AHL he played well with the Toronto Marlies, putting up 27 points in 33 games. He is the son of former NHL forward Michael Nylander, and he could be the forward the Leafs need to start moving forward.

Connor Brown was the Marlies' top scorer this season with 60 points, and he could make his NHL debut in 2015-16 as a bottom-six winger. He has offensive skill but may not be able to supplant some of the other forwards above him.

Joining him could Brendan Leipsic, and the former Nashville Predators prospect recorded 14 goals and 51 points between Milwaukee and Toronto. He was a dynamic player for the Portland Winterhawks who could see some NHL time next season.