Complete Preview and Predictions for the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2015-16

The Toronto Maple Leafs may not win many hockey games during the 2015-16 season, but they should still be a fascinating team to watch.

The franchise that is best known for its hapless ineptitude has hired a proven winner in head coach Mike Babcock to try to turn the situation around.

This year, the intrigue will come when we see if Babcock is able to shock the Leafs out of their old habits. Will Babcock succeed in laying the foundation for a franchise that can hold its head high in the future, or will old habits die hard?

Will the Leafs' turnaround begin this season, or will Toronto experience more growing pains before finally finding the path to future success?

Here's a look at Toronto's offseason changes and the outlook for the year ahead.

Key Roster Changes

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Key Departures

• Phil Kessel (RW)
• David Booth (LW)
• Korbinian Holzer (D)

Key Additions

• Michael Grabner (RW)
• Shawn Matthias (C)
• Daniel Winnik (C)
• Nick Spaling (C)
• P.A. Parenteau (RW)
• Mark Arcobello (C)
• Brad Boyes (RW)
• Matt Hunwick (D)
• Martin Marincin (D)
• Scott Harrington (D)
  
  
• Mike Babcock (coach)
• Lou Lamoriello (general manager)

The biggest offseason change for the Toronto Maple Leafs comes behind the bench, where former Detroit Red Wings boss Mike Babcock takes over as head coach and tries to alter the losing culture that has swallowed the Leafs for the last decade.

After going with a nominal general manager in 2014-15, former New Jersey Devils GM Lou Lamoriello stepped into that role in late July.

On the ice, Phil Kessel's departure leaves a big offensive hole on right wing. The Leafs have brought in a long list of mid-level veterans from around the league via trade and free agency in an effort to inject new life into the roster.

According to General Fanager, the Leafs have $1.3 million in available cap space with 24 players signed. This doesn't count winger Brad Boyes, who parlayed his professional tryout into a one-year deal worth a reported $700,000, according to Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun.

Nathan Horton and his $5.3 million cap hit will come off the books when he gets placed on long-term injured reserve on the first day of the regular season, leaving the Leafs with one more cut to get to the league limit of 23 players.

Projected 2015-16 Depth Chart

Jay LaPrete/Associated Press

Forwards

James van Riemsdyk - Tyler Bozak - Brad Boyes

Shawn Matthias - Nazem Kadri - Joffrey Lupul

Leo Komarov - Peter Holland - Michael Grabner

Daniel Winnik - Nick Spaling - P.A. Parenteau

Marc Arcobello - Richard Panik

Defense

Matt Hunwick - Dion Phaneuf

Jake Gardiner - Morgan Rielly

Martin Marincin - Roman Polak

Scott Harrington - Stephane Robidas

Goal

Jonathan Bernier

James Reimer

Biggest Storylines to Watch

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Babcock's Influence

Mike Babcock's success in his first season won't be measured by wins and losses; rather, it will be by his effectiveness in changing the way business is done on the ice in Toronto.

"All we're going to do is build a process here, and I will make it very clear to the guys that I will be happy," Babcock told Mike Brophy of NHL.com as he began his first training camp with the Leafs. "I like being happy, period. The two things that irritate me the most are lack of preparation and lack of compete. That's not happening."

A night-in, night-out effort would be a solid step forward for Toronto.

Who Else Will Go?

Toronto management filled out the team's roster with a long list of mid-level players over the summer, but the only star who departed was Phil Kessel, who was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

With the Leafs' current roster, Chris Johnston of Sportsnet suggested that "Babcock is essentially trying to create an orchestra out of a cellist, two trombonists and 18 backup musicians on recorder."

More players from the old guard could find themselves on the move if they balk at Babcock's new way of working. Watch closely to see how James van Riemsdyk, Tyler Bozak, Nazem Kadri and Jake Gardiner, among others, adapt to Babcock's system.

Who's Your Starter?

Here's a storyline that's plenty familiar to Leafs fans—the uncertainty surrounding the No. 1 goaltending job.

Once again, Jonathan Bernier and James Reimer are duking it out. 

Bernier started 49 games in his first season with Toronto in 2013-14 and 55 games last year, so he has held the edge. Goaltending results during exhibition play must also be interpreted with caution, but Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star reports that Reimer was the better of the two netminders during the preseason.

Reimer's an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year. He has plenty of incentive to do everything possible to outplay his counterpart Bernier. 

Best- and Worst-Case Scenarios

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Best-Case Scenario

For a best-case scenario, think of the 2013-14 Calgary Flames—a team that finished 27th overall but developed a reputation as a tough group to play against, then built on that reputation with a trip to the playoffs just one season later.

This year's Leafs roster looks more transient than Calgary's was, but fans would be thrilled to see one or more of their foundational pieces step forward to carry this team like Mark Giordano did for the Flames.

Worst-Case Scenario

Babcock's worst nightmare will be to see the bad habits continue in Toronto—the lack of preparation, the lack of effort and the lack of accountability.

If he's not pleased with his players' commitment to the plan, expect to see more big names moved out of Toronto before too many months have passed.

Final Prediction

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Expect an unsettled season in Toronto, where the strong-willed new coach and general manager will butt heads at times with their players and, most likely, with each other.

Even without the pressure of playoff expectations haunting the players' every move, Toronto remains a media pressure cooker, where tiny issues take on front-page importance.

On top of that, the team's just not very good—and another season of losing is bound to take a toll on Toronto's few true talents.

With the Buffalo Sabres and Florida Panthers on the road to better days, there's only one spot for Toronto to land.

Expect to see the Leafs end the season in eighth place in the Atlantic Division.