Toronto Maple Leafs 2021 season preview and predictions

The pressure couldn’t be any higher for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2021 season.

After failing to advance in the playoffs for a fourth-straight year, you can say the spotlight on the Toronto Maple Leafs has never been any brighter.

With COVID-19 forcing all the Canadian teams playing in the North Division, fans north of the border will be treated to a season like no other. Many also believe the Leafs will benefit from the new division considering they will avoid the Boston Bruins and Tampa Bay Lightning in the first couple of rounds.

Additions: Michael Hutchinson, Travis Boyd, Joe Thornton, Jimmy Vesey, Aaron Dell, Joey Anderson, Wayne Simmonds, T.J. Brodie.

Departures: Andreas Johnsson, Tyson Barrie, Kasperi Kapanen, Kyle Clifford, Frederik Gauthier and most importantly Cody Ceci. 

Looking at the changes the Leafs made this off-season, it’s hard to not see this is an improved roster considering the balance in the additions they made. It also prepares them for the varying types of play styles among the other Canadian teams.

Considering some have pointed out the Leafs’ inability to grind out wins, general manager Kyle Dubas tried to address that and did not have to pay a premium to get it done. With that being said, nothing is guaranteed despite how the team looks on paper.

With that being said, here are some predictions for the Leafs this season.