Team: 2022-23 Toronto Maple Leafs

Initial Creation Date: Sep. 10, 2022

Published: Sep. 10, 2022

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

I'll start off by saying I really have no idea how this lineup is going to look come game 1. There are still a lot of uncertainties.

Forwards:
Kerfoot - trading Kerfoot seems to be a fairly safe play regardless of Sandin's situation. I say this because he doesn't fit very well on any line and if he does play he'd likely be taking a starting spot away from Robertson, who deserves a full time role.

Douglas/Gaudette - I think Adam Gaudette is a good depth piece, but he shouldn't be starting in this lineup fulltime. I chose Curtis Douglas as his 4C replacement because I feel that he has better defensive capabilities, which seems to be what Dubas is going for in the current bottom 6. Although I doubt Douglas starts this season on the NHL roster, I'm sure and I'd like to see him get some NHL reps this season.

Simmonds/Clifford - Neither of these two should be on the NHL roster on opening day. They both suck and provide nothing but penalty minutes. Simmonds will probably get playing time because of his leadership and community involvement, which I hate from a talent perspective but understand from a respect perspective.

Defense:
Sandin - It seems clear that his agent is causing the problems here, as I believe he is the same agent that Nylander has. Sandin has not proven that he deserves any more money than Liljegren received. Sandin appears to believe he is entitled to a roster spot and much compensation. He has also stated that he does not want to play the right side. SO, I've moved Giordano to the right since he's spent some time there in the past.