With Cody Franson in the mix, the Toronto Maple Leafs roster has more or less fully taken form. His signing also essentially guarantees highly touted defence prospect Morgan Rielly will be returned to junior. With a number of big-name guys on one- or two-year deals, the Buds could look at lot different in 24 months. But for now, this is what Randy Carlyle has to work with and what he’ll expect.
Forwards
Phil Kessel: A point-per-game player the past two years, he’ll once again be counted on as the team’s top offensive weapon.
Joffrey Lupul: Continue to produce at a high rate and try to stay out of harm’s way. A wire-to-wire healthy season for Lupul would be huge.
James van Riemsdyk: Get that big body in front of the net. ‘JVR’ showed a willingness to battle in last year’s playoffs and the team wants that spirit every night.
Tyler Bozak: His offensive production is largely the result of great linemates, but he’s one of the few top-line guys on Toronto who can play on the defensive side of the puck. They need him winning the big faceoffs.
Nazem Kadri: The cocky attitude is just fine as long as he keeps getting points. The offensive whiz must continue to learn other aspects of the game.
David Clarkson: He might as well just have his mail sent to the lip of the crease, where the Leafs want him to live all season (well, beginning Oct. 25 in Columbus).
Dave Bolland: Work out better than Kris Versteeg did when the Leafs last plucked a Cup-winner from Chicago. The hometown boy was brought in to provide the calmness of a champion.
Mason Raymond: He makes a fast team faster and should be motivated to prove he can still be a support scorer in the league.
Nikolai Kulemin: Fair to say that 30-goal showing a year ago was an anomaly. As long as he stays in the high-traffic areas and chips in the odd puck, Toronto will take it.
Joe Colborne: A really intriguing player. He works hard, is huge and has some offensive upside. If he’s a dependable third-liner this year, that will be considered a good step.
Jay McClement: He’s counted on to be far and away the best defensive forward on the team, starting with killing penalties.
Colton Orr: Look as mean as possible in five minutes of ice per game.
Frazer McLaren: Provide the second punch in the enforcer combo.
Sportsnet’s season preview of the Toronto Maple Leafs
Defence
Dion Phaneuf: He’ll see the ice more than any player on the club, so a favourable ratio of good decisions to bad is paramount.
Carl Gunnarsson: Paired with Phaneuf, the Leafs just want him to be a quietly efficient blueliner who gets his share of helpers.
Cody Franson: His breakout least year projected to about a 52-point season. Suffice it to say, Toronto would gladly take that kind of production, especially if it comes with a slightly tighter defensive game.
Jake Gardiner: He could be the most dynamic blueliner the team has. His skating is phenomenal, but the organization has to know there will be some miscues along the way.
Mark Fraser: There isn’t a lot of thump on the Leafs blueline, so much of the menacing duties fall to Fraser.
Paul Ranger: Just show up at six-foot-three every day, be strong defensively and don’t give any shootout tutorials in practice.
T.J. Brennan: Defensive depth is key, so if Brennan can prove capable of playing third-pairing minutes, the Leafs will be happy.
Morgan Reilly: Find a way to fudge your birth certificate so you can play in the AHL this season. Failing that, dominate the world juniors.
Goalie
Jonathan Bernier: Toronto wasn’t the only team that believed Bernier just needed a chance to shine. Now he’s got to seize that opportunity and establish himself as the clear No. 1.
James Reimer: Keep playing great, but don’t ever complain about it never being enough. Cool?