TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS
LAST SEASON: 29-42-11, 69 points. Finished last in Atlantic Division and NHL.
COACH: Mike Babcock (second season, 14th NHL season)
ADDED: C Auston Matthews, D Roman Polak, G Frederik Andersen.
LOST: F P.A. Parenteau, F Brad Boyes, G Jonathan Bernier.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Auston Matthews. Coach Mike Babcock said he plans to start Matthews as the team's No. 1 center, giving him a chance to earn a larger role. The Maple Leafs chose the 6-foot-3, 216-pound Matthews No. 1 overall, their first top pick in the NHL draft since 1985. He was born in California, moved to Arizona and played in Switzerland last season.
OUTLOOK: The Maple Leafs will be much better, as Babcock predicted. They will fail, however, to make the playoffs for the 11th time in 12 years. Toronto is committed to rebuilding slowly, trying to focus on drafting and developing while avoiding the temptation to overspending for free agents.
