There are many questions, and a slew of exhibition games that will hopefully offer some answers as the Maple Leafs — 63 of them — check in for training camp with medicals Friday and their first on-ice session Saturday. As usual in Toronto, fans greet the arrival of a new season with excitement and optimism, as well as a healthy dose of trepidation and skepticism.

This appears to be a better Leafs team than last year's model that finished 29th overall. The key off-season additions of Kris Versteeg, Colby Armstrong and Clarke MacArthur bolster the offence and depth up front, while a healthy Mike Komisarek and blossoming Carl Gunnarsson should strengthen the back end. An entire season without Vesa Toskala should improve the goaltending.

Those factors, combined with prospects such as Nazem Kadri, Jerry D'Amigo and German import Marcel Mueller — all fighting for jobs — should create both a spirited camp and hope that this squad can battle for a playoff spot. But with every training camp, there are questions to be answered. We picked 10.

1 Is Nazem Kadri ready? The Leafs' first-rounder from 2009 bulked up over the summer, adding 17 pounds. After a 93-point season with the London Knights, he appears close to making the big league. But after mentioning early in the summer that Kadri was pencilled in for at least the start of the Leafs' season, general manager Brian Burke is now quick to remind that he likes to start prospects in the AHL. Another impressive camp should keep Kadri on board.

2 Can Jonas Gustavsson continue to develop? The Swedish netminder started camp last fall with an ambulance ride. He eventually needed two heart procedures that stalled his adaptation to the NHL. His potential showed once J.S. Giguere arrived as a mentor rather than a rival. We know Giguere has been tabbed as No. 1 but a huge part of Toronto's growth — and playoff contention — will centre around whether Gustavsson can eventually surpass him. A strong, healthy start helps.

3 Who goes on D? With Tomas Kaberle on board and showing no inclination to drop his no-trade clause, the Leafs have nine defencemen under contract. Somebody's got to go and unless he has a brilliant camp, the assumption is that Jeff Finger and his $3.5 million contract will be jettisoned to the Marlies. Newcomer Matt Lashoff may also be on the outside looking in to start the season.

4 Who plays with Phil Kessel? This will be a theme all season. The Leafs have one obvious offensive star and a handful of second-tier players. This is Mats Sundin redux. Tyler Bozak meshed with Kessel late last season and is the most likely candidate at centre. Either Nikolai Kulemin or Versteeg will likely skate on the left side. Kessel missed camp last season, but the winger could enter 40-goal-plus territory this season.

5 Can special teams be special again? The Leafs were stunningly horrible last season, finishing 30th in both power play and penalty killing. With Dion Phaneuf on the point for a whole season, Kessel starting healthy and newcomer Versteeg looking to build on the 42 goals he scored over the last two seasons in Chicago, Toronto should be better with the man advantage. Armstrong, another new arrival, should help the penalty kill, as will a full season of Fred Sjostrom and what should be improved goaltending.

6 Will the real Mike Komisarek check in? We should get an idea early whether the one-time bruising defenceman from Montreal has his smarts and toughness back. Shoulder surgery cost him half of last season, but it will have been worth it if he becomes the physical force he once was. He'll probably be a little calmer too, not feeling the need to justify his big contract in a big market. That last point also applies to Francois Beauchemin.

7 Can we cancel the APB on John Mitchell? After teasing with his potential and a 12-goal season two years ago, Mitchell fell off the map last season when he scored just six goals. He will likely never be more than a fourth-liner, but he'll want to use this camp to show he can be more than that.

8 Can Tyler Bozak avoid the sophomore jinx? Mikhail Grabovski, Luke Schenn, Mitchell and Kulemin were all horrible out of the gate last season. Bozak created expectations, especially if he was on the No. 1 line, with his creativity in the second half. We'll see quickly if he arrives this season with same work ethic or if success went to his head.

9 Who is going to score? It was a question last year and lingers again. The Leafs averaged just 2.56 goals a game last season, 25th in the league. Apart from Kessel, there are no guarantees. The likes of Versteeg, Bozak, Kulemin, Grabovski and MacArthur will be counted on to put up the numbers, but restless fans will want to see some hint that Toronto can cobble together two scoring lines.

10 Will camp prepare the Leafs this season? Obviously they weren't ready last season. A 0-7-1 start doomed them before the page had turned on October.

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