New and Familiar Faces in Leaf Land

The Toronto Maple Leafs’ additions this offseason were rather small and not especially news worthy. However, they do provide the team with some attributes that they have lacked for the past few years: depth, veteran presence, and defensive stability.

When looking deeper into the projected forward lines the changes don’t start until you look to the third line.

James van Riemsdyk - Tyler Bozak - Phil Kessel

Joffrey Lupul - Nazem Kadri - David Clarkson

Leo Komarov - Petri Kontiola - David Booth

Daniel Winnik - Mike Santorelli - Matt Frattin

With the return of former Leafs Leo Komarov and Matt Frattin, Toronto fans can be reassured that their bottom six will be both tough to play against, and productive in the offensive zone.

Freshly recovered thruster David Booth, should remind fans of the Mason Raymond signing of last year. It is a one-year, low risk deal that could pay dividends if the three-time twenty-goal scorer can get back to the game he played with the Florida Panthers.

When looking to the defensive side of the bench, there are only two new names to the squad: Stephane Robidas, and the large, punishing Roman Polak.

Dion Phaneuf - Stephane Robidas

Jake Gardiner - Cody Franson

Morgan Rielly - Roman Polak

While the thirty-seven-year old Robidas adds a sense of veteran presence that Toronto has lacked in the recent past, he also provides support and a likely partner for captain Dion Phaneuf, with the exit of former D partner Carl Gunarsson. The acquisition of Stephane Robidas should allow Phaneuf to assume a more physical role and provide much needed offensive support from the blue line.

Roman Polak however, appears to be the more impacting move, as he brings a plethora of physicality, speed, skating ability, and a respectable -7 plus/minus in 424 NHL games. Whether if he is paired with Morgan Reilly, or Jake Gardiner, Polak will stabilize the bottom four of the defensive unit. With Gardiner and Reilly both rapidly maturing and improving, and Korbinian Holzer developing, it appears as though the Maple Leafs finally have a degree of depth and stability on defense.

Leafs president Brendan Shanahan commented on the trade for Polak saying, “I’ve watched him play and I’m incredibly impressed with a guy that size and with that skating ability. I reached out to a couple of teams after the deal was done and asked what they liked and they said his speed. But he will make guys pay a price, too. He’s an element we don’t have in Toronto.”

With no changes in net, the Leafs maintain one of the best “bang-for-your-buck” goaltending duos in Jonathan Bernier and James Reimer. If they are able to coexist with minimal controversy, this combination could result in a large number in the wins column.

The upcoming 2014-2015 season should excite fans, while the additions from this past summer should have an immediate impact on the Maple Leafs’ starting lineup.