The Toronto Maple Leafs have made significant moves this off season to better the team for the upcoming 2006-2007 NsHL season. The Leafs GM, Adriano Viterbo, first brought in defenseman Mike Rathje, and inked him to a new contract. Via trade, Viterbo also added Ales Kotalik to the mix from Buffalo. After the acquisition of Kotalik, the Leafs hired an Assistant GM, Andrew Mielniczek, who will take care of the duties of the Toronto Marlies.
Free agency was next for the Maple Leafs and they made a splash immediately offering a contract to elite defenseman, Chris Pronger. Although the Leafs lost out in the bidding war for the most sought after defensive free agent in recent years, they were able to bolster their line-up with key centreman Jeremy Roenick and defenseman Aaron Ward.
In a second trade with the Buffalo Sabres this off-season, the Maple Leafs would send defensive prospect, Alexander Hellstrom, for defenseman Radoslav Suchy. Suchy is expected to take a position as the Leafs' seventh defenseman.
Coach Pat Quinn doesn't expect lines to be set until after the conclusion of training camp; however, it looks as though the lines will be as follows:
Samsonov - Roenick - Kotalik Rathje - McCabe Kiprusoff
Brunette - Stajan - Tucker Ward - Dempsey Kidd
Ponikarovsky - Wellwood - Renberg Timander - Colaiacovo
Kilger - Williams - Mellanby Suchy |
