This is my projected roster for the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2016-2017. I believe there is a good chance that the Maple Leafs sign Steven Stamkos. Good, but not great. I would be happy if they did sign him, and I would also be happy if they didn't... As crazy as that sounds. However, if they do sign Stamkos, I think a contract at 7 years, $75,250,000 ($10.75MM AAV) is reasonable and accurate. I believe that Shanahan & Co. will offer this contract because I feel that it fits into their time frame, and once this contract expires, they will still have team control over Matthews, Marner, and Nylander (I think), to sign them long term. So I don't think this contract is too big of an issue in the long-term. Also, if the Leafs sign Stamkos, I think that it is almost inevitable for them to trade Tyler Bozak. As valuable as he would be as a third-line centre, he just wouldn't fit into the organization. So, I've decided to trade him to the Canucks mostly because they will be able to afford his contract, and secondly, Jim Benning is kind of a dunce. Sorry Canucks fans. I think there will be other trades that the Leafs make this year, possibly involving guys like Corrado, Leivo, Hunwick, etc. But I don't think they are going to be too active. In regards to the lineup, I think there will be constant flip-flopping between Nylander and Kadri playing centre and the wing. I think ultimately, Nylander will end up as a winger. I have Matthews playing with Marner on the third line because I think that that could be an unreal line. I just put Michalek on the wing just to put him somewhere, but chances are he will get hurt, and they will replace him with someone along the lines of Connor Brown or Zach Hyman. With the defensive corps, I went with Rielly-Marincin because Babcock ran with that pairing a lot late into last season. Then, I went with Gardiner-Zaitsev, because that would be sick. Then the third pairing is meh. But yeah, I'm sure this projection will be way off. GO LEAFS
Carrick Connor looks like he is going to a regular on the Leafs defence. Don't think Vancouver would give up a 35th overall pick for a salary dump. I like Bozak, he does have value as a Leaf.