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Toronto Maple Leafs Season Preview

By David Morassutti

Oct 2, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (34) before the start of their game against the Montreal Canadiens during a preseason hockey game at Air Canada Centre. The Maple Leafs beat the Canadiens 3-2 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (34) before the start of their game against the Montreal Canadiens during a preseason hockey game at Air Canada Centre. The Maple Leafs beat the Canadiens 3-2 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Toronto Maple Leafs
Oct 2, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander (29) celebrates an overtime goal scored by defenseman Matt Hunwick (2) against the Montreal Canadiens during a preseason hockey game at Air Canada Centre. The Maple Leafs beat the Canadiens 3-2 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

The Youth Movement in Full Effect

Leafs fans were given a taste of what a lineup with more young players would look like and it was a pleasure to watch but that was short lived. Now the Leafs will be starting the season with a larger group of younger players including Auston Matthews, William Nylander, Mitch Marner, Zach Hyman, Connor Brown, Seth Griffith, Josh Leivo, Morgan Rielly, Connor Carrick and Nikita Zaitsev. These players will get their chances to shine and contribute on a regular basis unlike in other years.

It is easy to see why many are optimistic about the Leafs improving this season but it is tough to expect these young players to take a last place team and put them into the playoffs in one season. The only way the Leafs have any chance of making the playoffs is if their goaltending and veteran players have a strong season. The young players will experience slumps, have to overcome struggles and deal with adversity.

If they can do that then the Leafs could realistically put themselves in the conversation for the playoffs. However, it is more likely that this team finishes out of the playoff picture, especially if they decide by the trade deadline to make more moves in order to build for the future like they have done the past two seasons.

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