Atlantic Division 2014-15 Preview: Toronto Maple Leafs

2014-15 NHL Atlantic Division preview: Scoring won't be a problem for the Maple Leafs this season, but hopefully their new advanced stats department can do something about that defense.

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Sep 28, 2014

SI.com's 2014-15 Preseason All-NHL Teams: first, second, third

COACH:

2013-14 RECORD: 38-36-8, 84 points (sixth in Atlantic; missed playoffs)

VITAL SIGNS: 2.82 goals-for per game (13th); 3.12 goals-against per game (26th); 19.84 power play pct. (6th); 78.36 penalty kill pct. (28th); shootout record: 9-4 (3rd)

NOTABLE ARRIVALS: D Stephane Robidas, F Leo Komarov, F Daniel Winnik

NOTABLE DEPARTURES: F Dave Bolland, D Nikolai Kulemin, F Mason Raymond, D Tim Gleason

PROJECTED DEPTH CHART

Forwards
James van Riemsdyk — Tyler Bozak — Phil Kessel
David Booth — Mike Santorelli — Joffrey Lupul
Daniel Winnik — Nazem Kadri — David Clarkson
Leo Komarov — Peter Holland — Troy Bodie
Matt Frattin, Colton Orr

Defensemen
Jake Gardiner — Dion Phaneuf
Stephane Robidas — Roman Polak
Morgan Rielly — Cody Franson

Goalies

Jonathan Bernier
James Reimer

• Does swift, gritty winger Kozun deserve a shot with the Leafs?

Fancy Stats Primer: Your guide to hockey's advanced analytics jargon

forming an advanced analytics team

• Leafs' futility helped spawn NHL's analytics craze

Dion Phaneuf

One of the most polarizing players in the game, Phaneuf is essentially a lightning rod for the entire Toronto defense. If he's going, the D is going. And if the D is going, this team has a shot at the playoffs. The key, though, will be minimizing the massive, game-changing mistakes that he makes far too frequently. If Phaneuf struggles out of the gate, it's not inconceivable that the Leafs may decide to part ways with their captain.

PREDICTION: 93 points, fourth in Atlantic (wild card 2)