TORONTO – The Mike Babcock era officially begins in Toronto tonight as the puck drops on the NHL regular season.
The Maple Leafs will host the Montreal Canadiens at the Air Canada Centre.
Montreal has its sights set on contending for the Stanley Cup after three straight playoff appearances.
Toronto hopes to reach the post-season after missing out last season.
The Leafs will be hosting a tailgate party at Maple Leafs Square at 4:00 p.m. outside of Gate 5 & 6 at Air Canada Centre.
Some things to watch in Toronto this season:
YOUTH MAY NOT BE SERVED
For now, the Maple Leafs will not look to their farm system and fourth overall pick Mitch Marner, eighth overall pick in 2014 William Nylander, 2013 21st overall pick Frederik Gauthier and Toronto Marlies leading scorer Connor Brown.
“We’re not even thinking about them being in the NHL,” GM Lou Lamoriello said. “Nothing is predetermined, but it’s a time for development for those players. Whether that changes, it won’t be us changing, it will be the player changing it with his play.”
BUILDING BLOCKS
While it is unlikely that the Leafs’ high end prospects will see time at the NHL level during the 2015-16 season, a fair portion of the campaign will be devoted to development of centre Nazem Kadri and defencemen Morgan Reilly and Jake Gardiner.
SHOPPING IN THE HIGH END DISTRICT
The Maple Leafs enter the new season with 48 players under contract, including 23 not on the NHL roster, and have stockpiled 11 in next June’s draft. Would the Leafs part with prospects and draft picks if presented an opportunity to add a significant player or players in a trade?
“You never say never in this game because if you do, your tongue gets caught in your cheek,” said Lamoriello. “The thought process will be to develop from within, but we will not hesitate from any opportunity to get better.”
NET GAIN
The hiring of Lamoriello and Babcock provide the organization fresh eyes through which to view the team. An area that both will assuredly study is goaltending, where starter Jonathan Bernier (21-28-7; 2.87 goals against average, .912 save percentage) and backup James Remier (9-16-1, 3.16, .907) often struggled behind a suspect defence. Lamoriello believes Babcock’s system will benefit Bernier and Reimer.
VIDEO:How Maple Leafs will approach their goalie situation
ALL EYES ON
With Phil Keseel gone, a lot of the star power in Toronto belongs to top defenceman Dion Phaneuf. Last season, Phaneuf averaged 23:43 of ice time in 70 games and he will be busy again. A playoff run seems unlikely as the groundwork begins on this Original Six franchise.
With files from The Associated Press
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