With just a couple of weeks until Toronto’s first preseason game, it’s time to talk about Toronto’s projected lineup for this season. Adding a player of John Tavares’ calibre is obviously a major difference maker, and this is bound to carry various implications in terms of usage. It’s entirely possible, and perhaps even probable, that none of Toronto’s forward lines from last season will be reunited to start the season.
Mike Babcock made some questionable decisions throughout the first half of last season, but ended up with a strong lineup come playoff time. While Tavares’ addition will make all the headlines, there are various subtle improvements throughout the roster that should help the team to improve in terms of shot attempt differential and expected goal differential.