Toronto Star sports reporter Kevin McGran delivers his Leafs Minute for Wednesday October 8, 2014, discussing the start of the Leafs season, David Clarkson, Nazim Kadri and goaltending.

So I was underwhelmed with the moves the Maple Leafs made over the summer. If a 37-year-old defenceman (Stephane Robidas) is the biggest move, I figured, then all will not be well in Leafland.

GM Dave Nonis was doubling down on the core of players who have failed -- in spectacular fashion -- for three years and new president Brendan Shanahan was letting him, I figured.

After all, it put Shanahan in a no-lose situation. If the team stumbles out of the gate, the coach who should have been fired in May can be fired in November. If the team fails to make the playoffs, the GM Shanahan didn't hire can be fired in April.



And if the team is bad enough, it could get itself in the Connor McDavid sweepstakes and start the path back towards the top.

What a cynic I can be.

But through training camp, I started to believe that the changes -- subtle though they might be -- could well turn the team around.

After all, what did it lack?

-Leadership? In comes Robidas and Polak, who seem the steadying forces just as advertised?

-Speed? Welcome Brandon Kozun. Welcome back Matt Frattin.

-Possession? Daniel Winnik, Mike Santorelli should help there, as well as a new focus on aggressive defence.

-Grit? Welcome back Leo Komarov.

-Depth? A fourth line that's probably as good as third line.

-Change? Carlyle has embraced a new direction; assistant GM Kyle Dubas brings fresh ideas.

Maybe I'm suffering Stockholm Syndrome from having been around these players since August.

But while the Maple Leafs are not as good as Montreal, Tampa or Boston, they are better -- on paper, anyway -- than the sorry lot that are Detroit (too old), Florida (too young), Ottawa (too Ottawa) or Buffalo (too bad). Ask yourself whose roster you'd rather have. Maybe in two or three years, the answer will be Florida or Buffalo.

But not this year.



That puts Toronto in fourth in the Atlantic Division. Barring a cross-over with a fifth team with more points from the Metropolitan Division, that should be enough for a playoff spot.



Have a question for my Friday mailbag? Email me at askkevinmcgran@gmail.com

Trophies

PREDICTIONS:

Not that anyone asked, but here's my predictions for this NHL season. And if you're a true Leaf fan, don't read any further. You're not going to like what I think of the Montreal Canadiens.



Atlantic Division

Montreal Canadiens. Younger and faster up front. Carey Price is the best goalie in the East. And don't forget P.K. Subban. La creme de la creme. Tampa Bay Lightning. A healthy Steve Stamkos and a healthy Ben Bishop will make all the difference. Boston Bruins. The descent begins, aided by salary-cap troubles. But Tuukka Rask is enough to keep Bruins among elite. Toronto Maple Leafs. Why not? Someone has to finish fourth. And this team has things to prove and the talent to prove it. Detroit Red Wings. The descent continues. After scratching into the playoff spot the last coupel of years, the Wings will finally drop out. Ottawa Senators. They'll be plucky. But Even with Bobby Ryan's commitment, the Sens need more time. Florida Panthers. The pieces (Jonathan Huberdeau, Alexander Barkov) are coming together, but it's too soon. Roberto Luongo is the wild card ere. Buffalo Sabres. Can you say Connor McDavid?

Metropolitan Division.

N.Y. Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and a team that plays as a team. Rick Nash's comeback year. Pittsburgh Penguins. The team should be more than Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, but it isn't. Columbus Blue Jackets. Ryan Johansen and quality players all around. Great goaltender in Sergei Bobrovski. A cult will start, worshipping Brandon Dubinsky. New Jersey Devils. A full year of Cory Schneider and a scorer in Mike Cammalleri. They won't lose every shootout again. Philadelphia Flyers. Won't get off to the same slow start as last year. But lots of questions surrounding defence (Luke Schenn, Michael Del Zotto). N.Y. Islanders. We love John Tavares, and then it kind of falls off. Quickly. Lots of new faces, will take time to gel. Washington. Even Barry Trotz won't be able to get Alex Ovechkin to play defence. Carolina. The shine is off the Staal brothers and there are questions about Jeff Skinner.

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Central Division.

Chicago Blackhawks. Jonathan Toews challenges Crosby as the game's top player. Dallas Stars. The one-two punch of Tyler Seguin and Jason Spezza propels Dallas to sit among the Western Conference elites. St. Louis Blues. The new San Jose Sharks, a.k.a. the media darlings who fall flat in the playoffs. Colorado Avalanche. The pick amongst the analytics crowd to step backwarrds, but youth like Nathan MacKinnon and Matt Duchene are just getting better. Nashville Predators. What happens when this team starts scoring (James Neal)? We're about to find out. Minnesota Wild. Thomas Vanek helps up front, but questions are too big in net. Winnipeg Jets. Evander Kane and Mark Scheifele are the key to any Jets success.

Pacific Division.

Anaheim Ducks. Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf and now Ryan Kessler. And always solid goaltending. Los Angeles Kings. The only question is whether they got enough rest over the summer. San Jose Sharks. Nothing's changed except the amped up dysfunction with Joe Thorton no longer captain. Still a talented lineup. Edmonton Oilers. With a shored-up blue line, it's time for forwards Taylor Hall, Ryan-Nugent Hopkins and Jordan Eberle to step up. Vancouver Canucks. Tons of talent. Clock is ticking on all their important players, including new goalie Ryan Miller. Arizona Coyotes. Sam Gagner gets a new start but it could be a long year for Dave Tippett's team. Calgary Flames. Too bad about Sam Bennett. Can you say Jack Eichel?

Trophies

Hart: Jonathan Toews

Norris: Drew Doughty

Calder: John Gibson

Vezina: Carey Price

Adams: Michel Therrien

Rocket: Steve Stamkos

Stanley Cup: Montreal Canadiens over the Chicago Blackhawks

Conn Smythe : Carey Price

BITS AND PIECES

The Maple Leafs got some good news when MoDo of the Swedish Hockey League allowed defenceman Viktor Loov to remain in North America to play for the Marlies.

Loov's physical style stood out in training camp and while he's not NHL-ready, he'd benefit greatly in adapting his game to the smaller rinks in North America.

Loov's contract called for him to return to MoDo if he did not make the NHL. Loov pleaded with MoDo officials to remain with the Marlies.

Apparently, it's merely a coincidence the Leafs placed 18-year-old rookie William Nylander with MoDo, for whom he played last year. Nylander was without a European hockey contract and could have played for any team.

JUGGLING THE CAP

Just when everyone was celebrating the fact that Stuart Percy had made the team, the Leafs sent him to the Marlies.

Don't worry. It was just for a day, and to save a bit of money on the salary cap. Percy can be sent up and down like a yo-yo, with no worries about him getting claimed on waivers.