Maple Leafs will need a fast start to season

Team needs to start fast, restore fans' faith to prevent full scale Shanaplan rebellion

Though many sour citizens in Leafs Nation can't get past last May's playoff defeat — rival Habs' fans certainly won't let them forget — the team must move on.

Whether it takes only the first training camp scrimmage to get hungry or a full 82 games into next April, the Toronto Maple Leafs can't let the new year be defined by that epic crash and burn, when they led the Canadiens 3-1 in the first round before two overtime losses and a wimpy Game 7 exit.

In this summer of discontent, facing a league-record 55-year Stanley Cup drought, you can detect sports bar banter and social media mutterings that openly cheer for an autumn flop to accelerate changes.

The only way to quell a Shanaplan rebellion, avoid the club's Core Four being broken up, and get general manager Kyle Dubas off the hot seat is for the Leafs to earn back trust and another shot at winning a first-round series. That redemption, which also means a show of mental toughness sadly lacking in the spring, won't come if the Leafs spend the coming months fighting ghosts instead of foes within their division.

With two all-stars coming back, last year's improved defensive numbers, and coach Sheldon Keefe finally getting to run the full camp, something denied to him for the past two years, the Leafs would seem a lot closer to the top of the Atlantic than the middle or bottom. But it's time to prove that on the ice, addressing the top camp questions for 2021-22:

WHO'S NEW?

From the net out, Petr Mrazek will push or perhaps replace Jack Campbell. If Soupy's lid is on straight and Mrazek finds his 20-win form of recent years, the badly needed consistency in goal is within reach, but there's no viable No. 3 insurance plan at present.

The one deletion from last year's starting six on defence is a big hole, losing Zach Bogosian, who steadied Travis Dermott. However, Rasmus Sandin appears ready for prime time, and maybe Timothy Liljegren, too, or cheap acquisitions Alex Biega, Carl Dahlstrom and Brennan Menell, all of whom possess some degree of NHL experience.

Up front, Dubas spread the money that wasn't enough to keep Zach Hyman between Nick Ritchie, Michael Bunting, David Kampf, Ondrej Kase and Kurtis Gabriel — ranging from the US$750,000 minimum wage for some to Ritchie's US$2.5 million ticket.

WHAT'S THE CURRENT SALARY CAP SITUATION?

The Leafs are over the US$81.5 million limit by about US$1.4 million, but that's before opening-night roster adjustments.

HOW IS AUSTON MATTHEWS' WRIST?

The Rocket Richard Trophy winner was still wearing a cast during the NHL'S media tour this month, but intends to be shooting effectively by opening night (Oct. 13) or an earlier exhibition game. It was hoped the decision to operate, late in the summer as it was, will finally fix the nagging soreness that has plagued him in his 50-goal pursuits.

WHAT'S IN STORE FOR THE CORE FOUR?

Matthews and Mitch Marner combined for just one goal and nine points in playoffs and thus have a vested interest in a good camp and a strong start to the season.

William Nylander won back some fans last year and it's clear that point-a-game captain John Tavares' presence in the final six playoff games might have changed the post-season narrative.

The fifth Beatle, Morgan Rielly, will have a contract question hanging over his head all season.

WHO REPLACES HYMAN ON THE FIRST LINE?

Ritchie and Wayne Simmonds have the size for corner work and can protect Matthews and Marner, but this role also requires creativity and speed. Ilya Mikheyev groused at the end of last year that he wanted a bigger role, Bunting spent some time on Tavares' wing in the summer skates and Kase or rookie Nick Robertson could emerge.

WHAT ARE THE COACHING/ FRONT-OFFICE CHANGES?

Spencer Carbery and Dean Chynoweth are Keefe's new assistants after Dave Hakstol went to the Seattle Kraken. Ryan Hardy is the new senior director of minor league operations, a shift to hires with USHL backgrounds that began with Marlies coach Greg Moore. Hayley Wickenheiser was promoted in summer to director of player development and ran the rookie orientation.

WHAT WILL THIS CAMP LOOK LIKE?

Medicals begin Wednesday morning, when the final additions from the rookie camp are added to the roster and possibly another player on a PTO contract to join Nikita Gusev and Josh Hosang. Camp will be divided into two groups of players and runs until Oct. 12.

WHO LOOKED GOOD IN THE ROOKIE TOURNEY?

The hyper-motivated Robertson delivered, with Semyon Der-arguchintsev, Mikhail Abramov and Pavel Gogolev not far behind. Unfortunately, Notre Dame free-agent signing Alex Steeves didn't get to play after the forward was hurt early. Keep in mind that many of the youngsters didn't play a lot after COVID-19 halted action in March 2020 and still need time in junior or the AHL.

WILL THERE BE EXHIBITION GAMES?

Six pre-season matches in total, all against Montreal and Ottawa for COVID reasons, starting Saturday at Scotiabank Arena versus the Canadiens. Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment is hoping for full capacity at some point in the regular season, but as of this week, rules only permit 1,000 fans for indoor events.