[Hadehariast]

Toronto Maple Leafs - No Tee-Times Until June!

Notes: This game was started using 1.6.19, with original rosters. The idea of doing a dynasty-type story didn't occur to me until the team was in March 2014, so the action from October to March may be a bit lacking in detail.


The Announcement

On August 15, 2013, the Toronto Maple Leafs braintrust announced that they had hired a new general manager-- one with a different outlook than the truculence-first, talent-second GMs who had come before. The vision that the new GM had was that young, talented players, with strong work ethic and character, could carry the team deep into the playoffs. The GM made it plain in his first press conference that he was interested in determined, coachable players who weren't afraid of hard work, bag skates, and infinite shooting drills.

Having come from a scouting/player development background, the GM was determined to use the Maple Leafs' excellent financial position to improve the coaching staff and bolster the scouting department. Internally, it was decided that highly diligent scouting, especially in the major European leagues, could uncover mid-round gold at the Entry Draft.


The Roster

Goaltending:
Jonathan Bernier and James Reimer give the Maple Leafs a solid goaltending tandem. Bernier has the ability to be a solid starter for a playoff-bound team, and Reimer is an able backup. Bernier has excellent character attributes, and is quite skilled. Reimer's mental toughness and relatively low cap hit make him ideal as the #2. The combined cap-hit of $4.7 million for this young pair is a good deal in a salary-cap world. In the minors, Chris Gibson projects as a backup-calibre player, nothing more. As the club has two solid, mid-twenties goalkeepers, obtaining a hot prospect isn't a high priority, but it would be nice to grab a player with higher upside, should the opportunity present itself.

Defence:
Veterans Dion Phaneuf and Cody Franson lead the defence crew for Toronto. Phaneuf is team captain, and is the top D-man on the team. However, he is not signed beyond this season, and with a substantial $6.5 million cap-hit, if he demands more money, his future could be with another team. Franson is a skilled playmaker, but his defensive skill is average, at best. His long-term future could also rest with another team. The Maple Leafs are blessed with two talented young blueliners in Morgan Reilly and Jake Gardiner, who are both in the team's long-term plans. Carl Gunnarson is a useful piece of the puzzle, as his strong defensive skillset can be paired with either one of the offensive-minded youngsters. The final two defenders, Paul Ranger and Mark Fraser, project as bottom-pairing sort of players. Ranger, with his lack of determination and coachability, is a prime candidate to be traded. In the minors, Stuart Percy is the top defensive prospect not named "Reilly", and projects as a top-4 defender who could see powerplay time. Zach Yuen might also develop into a useful player, but has holes in his game that need to be addressed before he has a shot at the NHL. Beyond that, the cupboard is stocked with bottom-pair prospects who would have difficulty breaking into the team. Obtaining a couple of young D-men with good upside will be a major priority for the club.

Forwards:
The club is fortunate to have some very good top-six forwards. Phil Kessel, James van Riemsdyk, and Nazem Kadri are all under 25, and represent the core of the team going forward. Joffrey Lupul, Tyler Bozak, and Dave Bolland round out the top-six, and provide some veteran leadership. Dave Bolland, especially, should be useful, as his defensive skill and determination make him an excellent penalty-killer. Lupul, who is quite injury-prone, might make useful trade bait further into the season, if he can be flipped for someone who spends less time off the ice. The bottom-six needs significant improvement, however. Mason Raymond (great contract) leads the way, with David Clarkson (awful, horrible, rage-inducing contract), Nik Kulemin (Mr. Mediocre-At-Everything), Jay McClement (useful as a PK guy), and a handful of 4th-line pluggers (Ashton, Bodie, Orr, Smith). Clarkson, Kulemin, Bodie, Orr, and Smith are all considered tradeable. Raymond and McClement are both useful, and Ashton might have enough skill to remain with the team. The outlook in the minors is bleak: mostly bottom-six pluggers, and even the players in the pro ranks with the most upside, Tyler Biggs and Josh Leivo, project to be (at most!) third-line/second-line swingmen. Frederik Gauthier, playing in the QMJHL, projects as a second-line center, so he's currently top forward prospect at the club, but is probably two years away for cracking the lineup. Improving the bottom-six and adding some forward prospects with offensive upside will be season-long goals for the club.


Preseason

The club has the following major goals this season:
1) Remain in the playoff hunt.
2) Improve the bottom-six forward group.
3) Add a couple of young defenders with higher upside.
4) Add a couple of forward prospects with higher upside.

All of this, while sticking to the overall goal of only obtaining players with high determination and coachability.

To this end, the club made its first move:

Sept 2, 2013:

To Dallas:
Colton Orr
2014 7th Round Draft Pick (Anaheim)

To Toronto:
Antoine Roussel

Analysis: Orr can fight at a big-league level, but that's the only thing he can do. He does not have any NHL-calibre skills beyond using his fists. Roussel, on the other hand, can fight at a similar level, but also has enough skill (both offensively and defensively) that he can take a regular shift on the third line, if need be. Roussel is also younger, cheaper, and more coachable.

The club then made its second move:

Sept 26, 2013:

Toronto signs Gabriel Desjardins to an entry level contract. Desjardins has the potential to be an excellent defensive winger, and may play regularily for the club this season, but will start the year in the AHL.


Opening Day

The team began the 2013 season at the Bell Centre in Montreal. After the moves made in pre-season, the lineup was set:

GKs:
Bernier(starting 65-70% of the time), Reimer (starting 30-35% of the time)

Defence:
Gunnarson-Franson
Gardiner-Phaneuf
Ranger-Reilly

McClaren (backup)

Forwards:
Lupul-Bozak-Kessel
van Riemsdyk-Bolland-Kadri
Raymond-Kulemin-Clarkson
Ashton-McClement-Roussel

Bodie, Smith (backups)


With that being said, any good general knows that even the best battle plan only lasts until combat begins...