For all intents and purposes, the Maple Leafs’ roster is set.
General manager Kyle Dubas doesn’t anticipate making more moves that could impact significantly the lineup for the 2020-21 season.
Now, we get to sit and wait for the season to start, with several months to ponder whether Dubas has done enough to turn the Leafs into a Stanley Cup contender.
Dubas hasn’t deleted from the core after the Leafs’ bubble was pricked by the Columbus Blue Jackets on Aug. 9, but added players who will be part of that nucleus to varying degrees, including TJ Brodie, Joe Thornton and Wayne Simmonds.
Then there are goalie Aaron Dell, defenceman Zach Bogosian and forwards Jimmy Vesey, Travis Boyd and Joey Anderson. And let’s not forget defenceman Mikko Lehtonen and forward Alexander Barabanov, who didn’t sign with Toronto in the spring so they could play for the Marlies, as it was put to us recently by a keen Leafs observer.
With the changes he has made, how does Dubas think the roster has improved? During his media availability on Sunday, Dubas said that the additions of Dell, and before him Jack Campbell, give the Leafs the best three-way punch in goal, along with No. 1 Frederik Andersen, they have had in years. We wouldn’t argue with that. There’s no doubt Dell gives the Leafs a solid option should one of the two men ahead of him get injured.
“On defence, TJ is better capable of playing at the top of our group, whether it’s with Morgan (Rielly) or with Muzz (Jake Muzzin) and then Zach adds the different element in terms of physicality and competitiveness that we were seeking to address,” Dubas said. “We’re really excited about where we’re at in terms of the additions, the progress of our own guys and the different types of elements we have added. We haven’t had the success as a group to where anything is owed to anybody based on previous performance, so Zach can challenge anybody as high up as he wants.
“Up front, the top end of our roster is clearly very talented and we wanted to add different elements to complement them, but also guys that were a little bit more competitive or who had a lot to prove. Joe is Joe. Jimmy Vesey is highly motivated. Wayne Simmonds is one of the more highly competitive people we have had here in a long time. We wanted to continue to build out the depth and continue to become more competitive, bolster our blue line and goaltending.
“We’re really anxious to see it in competition next season.”
As for the view of Thornton, who spoke to media via Zoom from his home in Davos, Switzerland, the Leafs have the making of a champion club. The 41-year-old native of St. Thomas, Ont., will play closer to home than he has before in the NHL, but that’s not why he signed for the league minimum of $700,000 US.
“It’s because of the hockey team,” Thornton said. “I think this team is ready to win now. I’m ready to win.”
The talent and potential of Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner weren’t the first words out of Thornton’s mouth when we asked him why he thinks the Leafs can win now after failing to get past the first round of the post-season in recent years.
“I love their goalie,” Thornton said. “I like Freddy a lot. That was a big part of my decision.
“Up the middle they are very strong. Adding Brodie on the back end really solidifies their D. Bogosian coming in, Simmonds. The Auston Matthews, the Mitch Marners, the John Tavareses, the list goes on and on, Zach Hyman, Morgan Rielly. This is a really good team and I think it’s going to be a great team at the end of this.”
Dubas doesn’t anticipate having to move out a contract or two to get in better line with the $81.5-million salary cap. Ilya Mikheyev — whose arbitration case is scheduled to be heard on Wednesday — Travis Dermott and Anderson have to be signed.
Assistant GM Brandon Pridham, who handles all salary cap issues, will earn every penny of his salary, not that he hasn’t already. And then it will be on coach Sheldon Keefe to ensure all the pieces fit.
“Whether we have to go with 20 men on the roster to start, or on off-days sending guys down to play games for the Marlies … to accrue some savings that way will be key,” Dubas said. “In working with Brandon on it daily, it does not appear that we will need to move anybody else out.”
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