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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
Mar 9, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs president Brendan Shanahan announces that the Leafs will play in an outdoor game called the Centennial Classic on Jan 1, 2017. Toronto defeated New York 4-3 in an overtime shoot out. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

The Centennial Celebrations

The timing of the Centennial season could not be at a better time for the Leafs. The franchise is ready to usher in a new era and they are celebrating a big milestone for the team. Although expectations are not high for this team, president Brendan Shanahan does not think this group cannot handle the pressures and expectations.

“I actually think it’s the perfect time, that this turning of the clock from 100 to the start of the new century coincides with the beginning of the careers of a lot of players that are going to be joining us this year,” Shanahan said to the Toronto Star.

The Leafs have laid out the path for the new era, which started with Shanahan being hired, then the hiring of Mike Babcock, Lou Lamoriello and the rest of the management group. Then the team changed the logo and jerseys along with other changes to the off-ice product. Now the focus will continue to remain on the on-ice product.

The team will play in their first outdoor game since 2014 when they played at the Big House in Ann Arbor Michigan. They will host the Centennial Classic at BMO Field against the Detroit Red Wings. They will unveil their greatest Leafs players of all-time, which will include 100 players that will be honoured throughout the season. They will wear the Toronto St. Pats uniform that they had from 1919-1927 which include the brown helmets and pants.  It will be interesting to see how many ceremonies the team will have and whether they will eventually decide to retire a jersey like Dave Keon.

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