Our blue line heading into this season is a lot stronger than it was heading into last season.
We added Chychrun
Sanderson has a year under his belt with the added bonus of a summer of training versus rehab
Brannstrom took a step forward
JBD took a step forward
Kleven is waiting in the wings and can bring some nasty
The only guy with potential age regression is Hamonic but we're good there because his role will be reduced
Toronto has some age regression issues
Lost Holl
Klingberg certainly isn't going to contribute much to the defensive side of things
Toronto addressed some major deficiencies in my opinion. They added some jam that's going to drag some players into the fight. Some players that are going to bring some emotion and physicality to the locker room and on the ice. They will be less clicky and more of a team. Keefe always had physical imposing teams this one fits his mold better. Apparently Dubas also was too involved in decisions that undermined him as a coach. Treileving is going to let him do his thing. I think you're going to see the best version of Keefe this year. You likely see more accountability from the teams star players.
Holl is a really bad player, the leafs also struggled to breakout and have the d activate in the o zone. Klingberg is going to help. With their roster make up and style of play you will likely see a much better version of Klingberg than the last couple of seasons, yeah he's poor defensively however I think his deployment will be managed well. I think this is Torontos best and potentially last shot. As Nylander or Marner are going to be a cap casualty next season. The only issue I can see this year is Nylanders contract situation could be a distraction. So as I mentioned before I think Toronto, Carolina and Jersey are locks. It's going to be a dog fight for the rest of the spots.
If the sens stay healthy I do think they get in. Thats a big if though this roster has been very injury proned. You are right the Sens roster to start this season is way better. It's also built alot better and players have defined roles. I am looking forward to the team playing with a high pace puck pushing up the ice identity. Mixed in with some physicality. MacEwen is a player I think is going to grow on people he only plays one way. Its how I like my 4th liners, straight line, fast and hard on pucks. Him and Kastelic should hopefully create a bit of an identity line as the 4th line. I am interested in seeing if Smejkal can fit into that mold.
The Jack Quinn injury in Buffalo is a big one. I am relieved they haven't signed Kane tbh. I'm honestly a little surprised but maybe he is just waiting to be 100 p healthy and wants to see how competitive they are. I think they're going to be a formidable team.
