The Maple Leafs experienced significant roster turnover this offseason and could have as many as 11 new players in the lineup when they begin the regular season on Oct. 2 hosting the Ottawa Senators. Developing chemistry amongst a large number of new players will be critical for the Maple Leafs in the early going, due to the fact that the Atlantic Division figures to be far stronger than last season.

A poor start could put a team behind the eight-ball by American Thanksgiving because the Florida Panthers, Buffalo Sabres and Montreal Canadiens — three teams that missed the playoffs last season — are expected to push the only three teams — the Boston Bruins, Tampa Bay Lightning and Maple Leafs — who did.

Grading the offseason: Canadiens | Canucks | Flames | Jets | Oilers | Senators

Offseason goals

The Maple Leafs biggest piece of business — agree to terms on a new contract with restricted free agent Mitchell Marner — remains outstanding. General manager Kyle Dubas has maintained his goal is to have Marner signed by the beginning of training camp but Marner’s camp seems intent on maximizing his value based on the comparable salary parameters set by the Auston Matthews contract, which carries an average annual value of $11.634 million. ​

The other sticking point for Marner is term. The Maple Leafs would prefer a longer-term deal but Marner’s camp is not interested in long-term unless the dollar value far and away exceeds Matthews’ AAV.

Mitch Marner sacrifices his body to make two HUGE blocks in a 1 goal game in the dying seconds.



The whole team embraces him after the win. pic.twitter.com/SibgMJvGPH — Flintor (@TheFlintor) April 16, 2019

Offseason acquisitions

Pontus Aberg (F), Kenny Agostino (F), Tyson Barrie (D), Cody Ceci (D), Kevin Gravel (D), Ben Harpur (D), Alexander Kerfoot (F), Teemu Kivihalme (D), Ilya Mikheyev (F), Jordan Schmaltz (D), Nick Shore (F), Jason Spezza (F), Garret Wilson (F)

PTOs: Matt Read (F), Michal Neuvirth (G)

MORE: Barrie adds key right-handed defenseman

Offseason departures

Connor Brown (F), Tyler Ennis (F), Jake Gardiner (D), Ron Hainsey (D), Nazem Kadri (F), Patrick Marleau (F), Igor Ozhiganov (D) Calle Rosen (D), Garret Sparks (G) , Nikita Zaitsev (D)

(Getty Images) https://images.daznservices.com/di/library/sporting_news/6b/fc/tyson-barrie-colorado-avalanche-042619-getty-ftrjpeg_14fvslwi0epje1h62fgv027tcu.jpg?t=1529980634&w=500&quality=80

Free agency/trades

Unlike the previous offseason when the Maple Leafs landed the biggest prize on the free-agent market in John Tavares, due to salary cap constraints, they did not go big game hunting this offseason. The Maple Leafs dipped into the free-agent market primarily to add depth to the roster through low-money signings that included Spezza, Aberg, Wilson and Gravel.

Most of Toronto’s roster re-working was done via trade. Acquiring Barrie and Kerfoot from the Colorado Avalanche gave the Maple Leafs a significant upgrade on defense in Barrie and some bottom-six forward versatility with Kerfoot.

They also accommodated Zaitsev’s trade request sending him and Brown to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for Ceci and Harpur.

MORE: Can Ceci finally find his stride with Toronto? It's a toss-up

The biggest issue the Maple Leafs face is that even with the reworking of their defense via trade, only Morgan Rielly remains under contract beyond this season.

2019 draft

The Maple Leafs did not have a first-round pick in June’s draft due to the trade that brought defenseman Jake Muzzin over from the Los Angeles Kings in January.

BUZZER BEATER!



Nick Robertson notches his fourth of the tournament. pic.twitter.com/OQxJv0h4SE — Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) September 9, 2019

Their first pick this year was Nick Robertson, a 5-9, 160-pound left-winger from the Ontario Hockey League who had 55 points (27 goals, 28 assists) in 54 games with the Peterborough Petes last season. He possesses a high skill level and an excellent work ethic but projects to be at least two seasons away from making an impact at the NHL level.

Farm system rankings: No. 21 | Liljegren, Sandin determined to crack roster

Offseason grade: B-

The Maple Leafs entered the offseason needing an upgrade on defense, and despite a difficult salary cap predicament, Dubas managed to bring in Barrie, who will be a significant improvement. The issue will recur though this coming offseason when Barrie and Ceci, along with Muzzin will each be unrestricted free agents.



In re-signing Hutchinson and adding Neuvirth on a professional tryout , Dubas procured sufficient depth that should be able to return stability to the backup goalie position after a turbulent season last year with Garret Sparks.

MORE: Hutchinson ready to 'try to earn the guys' trust' on and off the ice​

The biggest piece of business heading into the offseason though was signing Marner and that is still not done, leaving the team in a situation where they could be without a core player once training camp begins for the second consecutive season.

2019-20 season prediction

Second place in the Atlantic Division; Eastern Conference finalists