With the possibility of Mats Sundin starting the season in Toronto unlikely, the Toronto Maple Leafs may be placing the "C" on a new shoulder, also Bryan McCabe has been traded, the Leafs will also need another Associate Captain.

Coach Ron Wilson has said that there is no rush to name their franchises 18th Captain in team history. He says he doesn't know everyone well enough yet, and will wait for a leader to emerge. They may not even name a captain this season.

In the event that the leafs do name a new Captain this season, here's a list of the Top 5 Players Most Likely to Wear the "C" for Toronto:

5. Nik Antropov

General Manager Cliff Fletcher has said that Antropov is the only real top 6 forward left on the team. He may lead the team offensively this season, but will he lead them in the locker room as well?

For more, go to: http://www.epiccarnival.com/2008/09/who-will-wear-c-for-toronto-maple-leafs.html

The Toronto Maple Leafs, who have missed the play-offs for three consecutive seasons for the first time in over 80 years, have decided to rebuild with youth this off-season. As a result, the expectations placed on the Leafs will be even lower than the last couple seasons and we'll be seeing 8 or 9 new faces in the line-up. They've also given a face lift to their coaching staff, management and scouting staff.

Key Additions: Jeff Finger (D), Niklas Hagman (LW), Mikhail Grabovski (C), Jonas Frogren (D), Curtis Joseph (G), Jamal Mayers (RW), Ryan Hollweg (LW), Mike Van Ryn (D).

The Leafs greatest off-season pick up may be defenseman, Jeff Finger. The Leafs have been missing a defensive specialist on their back end for some time now and Finger was the best free agent defensive defenseman in their 20's available. Jonas Frogren will also provide a much needed defensive game. Hagman and Mayers are both physical players that can contribute offensively, while Hollweg will replace Wade Belak as the teams primary enforcer. Grabovski is a fast and creative youngster and could end up on Toronto's top line. Curtis (CuJo) Joseph returns but this time as a back-up to Vesa Toskala. He'll prove to be more reliable than former back-up, Andrew Raycroft. Mike Van Ryn will have to improve his defensive game if he wants to see ice time in Wilson's defensive system.

For more go to: http://www.epiccarnival.com/2008/09/toronto-maple-leafs-2008-09-season.html

By Mike Jack, www.EpicCarnival.com

The Detroit Red Wings, last season's Stanley Cup Champions, didn't have to improve their roster this off season, but they did anyway. In recent years, many championship teams have done the opposite. In the salary cap world, it's extremely difficult to keep great teams together, because the more success you have, the more is expected in salary.

Key Additions: Marian Hossa (RW) and Ty Conklin (G)

The Wings have added another star player in Marian Hossa for relatively cheap. Hossa wanted to come to the team that has the best chance at winning the Stanley Cup this season so badly, that he was willing to take significantly less than he was offered from other teams. Apparently, the Wings made a deal with Nicklas Lidstrom that he would settle for $7.45 million per season only if the Wings promised that he'd remain their highest paid played. That's why the Hossa was signed for $7.4 million. In Ty Conklin, the Wings have signed a top quality back-up goaltender who can step into a starter's role if Osgood becomes injured. He may not be as legendary as Dominik Hasek, but he'll do just fine.

Key Departures: Dominik Hasek (G), Chris Chelios (D), Dallas Drake (RW), Matt Hartigan (C), Darren McCarty (RW) and Garrett Stafford (D).

For more, go to:

http://www.epiccarnival.com/2008/08/detroit-red-wings-season-preview-2008.html

by Mike Jack, Mike Jack's Hockey Articles

Here's a list of the Top 10 Rookies to watch during the 2008-2009 season.

This list is based purely on estimated point production (besides goaltenders of course), because that seems to be the bases behind the NHL's selections for the Calder Trophy and the All-Rookie Team. How else would Tom Gilbert make last season's All-Rookie Team over Erik Johnson, Marc Staal and other better all around defenseman? I've also made sure to include at least one goaltender and two defensemen on the list to make up an All-Rookie Team prediction.

Some players were left off the list not because of their lack of talent, but for reasons such as that there isn't much roster space to include them on their NHL team, their club doesn't want to rush them and think they should condition on the farm team or minor leagues, or the player wishes to remain on their college or European team for now. Circumstances could change though, and there's always a chance that anyone could play. These players include:

Alexei Cherepanov, Alex Goligoski, Steve Mason, Tuukka Rask, Bobby Sanguinetti, James vanRiemsdyk and others.

Other honourable mentions that did not crack the top 10 include:

Karl Alzner, Patrick Berglund, Brian Boyle, Derek Brassard, Fabian Brunnstrom, Erik Ersberg, Nikita Filatov, Thomas Hickey, Patric Hornqvist, Shawn Matthias, Alexei Nikulin, T.J. Oshie, Ryan Parent, Ted Percell, Alex Pietrangelo, Kevin Porter, and Jack Skille.

For the list visit: http://www.epiccarnival.com/2008/08/nhl-top-rookie-preview-2008-09.html

Sources close to the Toronto Maple Leafs are saying that Bryan McCabe has agreed to waive his no-movement clause in order to become part of a trade with the Florida Panthers.

Apparently, all the players involved in the trade have been agreed upon by Leafs GM Cliff Fletcher and Panthers GM Jacques Martin, but the trigger won't be pulled on the deal until after McCabe is given his $2 million signing bonus by the Leafs on September 1st. This would obviously save the Panthers some money...

More at http://www.epiccarnival.com/2008/08/mccabes-going-to-florida-but-whos.html

by Mike Jack

Captain Mats Sundin has been meditating and reflecting in his homeland of Sweden since the NHL's free agent signing period began on July 1st. An unrestricted free agent, Sundin has chosen this state in order to make the best decision possible about his ultimate future.

Sundin's possible choices are:

a) Sign with the Toronto Maple Leafs, the team he's lead for the last 13 seasons for an alleged $7 million one-year deal.

b) Sign with the Vancouver Canucks, the team that offered the most money - a $10 million per season, two-year deal. That would make him the highest paid player in the league.

c) Retire.

I believe Mats Sundin has made his choice and he will play for the Toronto Maple Leafs this season. (For More, Go To: http://www.epiccarnival.com/2008/07/descisions-descisions-has-mats-sundin.html)

Dear Bryan McCabe,

Why are you still in Toronto?

I mean, I understand why you originally wanted to play in Toronto. It is the center of the hockey universe. There are more hockey fans in Toronto than any other city in the world. I also understand that you're from St. Catharines, Ontario and grew up a Maple Leaf fan.

One thing about playing in the center of the hockey universe though is that there are more eyes watching you than in any other NHL market, and these eyes do not forget what they see. You should know better than anyone what they've seen. They've seen a guy score on his own net. They've seen a guy pass the puck directly onto the stick of his opponent allowing his opponent to score the goal that defeats your team several times. They've seen a defenseman who seems to take his time skating into his own zone to defend the offensive rush of his opponents. They see their worse defensive defenseman get paid more than any other player on the team. You're the 10th highest paid defenseman in the league, and the fans in Toronto don't think you're worth it. On occasion, the Toronto fans also see you sport a handle bar moustache that makes you look more like a gay biker than a hockey player.

Because of these things, you get booed. I'm sure you can hear it. You're not only booed at the arena. Toronto fans take the time to make websites and youtube videos about how much they hate you and want you to leave. You're ridiculed in the media -- print and on television.

Now, you know just like everyone else knows that you hold the key to your own destiny. You've got a no trade clause and the Leafs management along with every other hockey fan in the city wants you to waive that no trade clause and leave town. I don't understand why you'd want to stay where you're not wanted. If you go to some city that doesn't care about hockey so much, maybe they won't notice your horrible defensive play if you put a few pucks in the net. Why not go anywhere that wants you?

Look, chances are that the Toronto fans will never forgive you for your mistakes, but if you're going to piss everyone off by sticking around here's a few things you may want to try to accomplish. First off, do not score on your own net ever again. I guess that goes without saying. Secondly, I know you're 33 years old and it's hard to teach an old dog new tricks, but maybe you could learn how to play a little defence. You are a defenseman. Maybe you can have a look at newly acquired defenseman, Jeff Finger and take some notes. You could also concentrate a little more on your job and not your facial hair. You look like you could use some Ritalin or something. The last suggestion I have, which is maybe the most likely for you to accomplish is for you to score 68 points in 73 games like you did three seasons ago. People liked that. If you can be an elite scoring defenseman again and not cough up the puck quite as much, there's a chance that you may be forgiven. Paul Coffey scored on his own net once, and he's a Hall of Famer.

Anyway, I hope you take my suggestions under consideration and have better luck next season.

Sincerely,

Mike Jack

by Mike Jack

Yesterday, the Toronto Maple Leafs signed winger, Niklas Hagman, defenseman, Jeff Finger and goaltender Curtis Joseph on the first day of the NHL free agent signing period.

Coach Ron Wilson has said Hagman will most likely play on a checking line with Jamal Mayers who was acquired in a trade with the St. Louis Blues just before the draft. Hagman scored 27 goals last season with the Dallas Star. He was signed for a reasonable $3 million per season.

Finger, who played with Colorado last season, will play a defensive role and be paired with an offensive defenseman (Kaberle, Kubina or McCabe) on one of the teams top two pairing. Finger will be paid $3.5 million each season for the next four years. It seems like his contract is based on what Toronto GM, Cliff Fletcher thinks he can do, and not what he's done already which may be similar to what happened when Bryan McCabe was signed a few years ago, and that didn't really work out. Unlike McCabe though, Finger's proven that he's very skilled defensively. The risk is predicting the amount of offense he'll provide. Fletcher seems to think he's going to improve quite a bit.

Joseph was the Leafs starting goaltender from 1998 to 2002, and now returns to back up Vesa Toskala. He left Toronto for a chance to win the Stanley Cup with Detroit, but ended up riding the pine when Dominik Hasek signed with Detroit soon after. Joseph signed with Toronto for only $700,000. He proved last season with Calgary that he can be effective in a back-up role despite being 41 years old. He's a way better goalie than Andrew Raycroft and they're paying him $1.5million less. That makes Raycroft's buy out cap hit of nearly $740,000 this season worth it. Now that the Leafs have gotten rid of most of their old players, CuJo will provide a veteran presence and mentor Toronto's younger goalies. The best part is that CuJo fans can now reuse and recycle their old Toronto CuJo jerseys, thus saving the planet.

So, what's Toronto's next move?

In a July 1st press conference, Fletcher said they'd sign another defenseman in the next couple days. I think the best fit of the remaining UFA defensemen is Steve Montador. They should be able to get him for less than $3 million and he's only 28 years old.

If the Leafs do sign another defensemen though, they'll have eight defenseman signed ( Tomas Kaberle, Pavel Kubina, McCabe, Finger, Anton Stralman, Ian White and Carlo Colaiacovo). I think that means that either Kubina, McCabe or maybe even Colaiacovo will be traded. Now that Brian Campbell, Mark Streit, Wade Redden, Michal Rozsival, Brooks Orpik and Ron Hainsey are all signed, teams looking for an offensive defenseman may be willing to dish out the dollars for McCabe or Kubina.

McCabe said he'd waiver his no trade clause to go to New York because that's where his wife is from, but the Rangers just signed Redden and Rozsival and the Islanders signed Streit. The Islanders do still have nearly $19 million in cap space though, and may want another offensive defenseman. Since it's clear that Toronto know longer wants him, McCabe may be willing to settle for somewhere close to New York like New Jersey, Philadelphia or Buffalo.

Kubina may have earned another chance with the Leafs after scoring 40 points last season, but at 31, he's now the fifth oldest Leaf and one of seven Leafs that are 30+. Kubina's contract only allows him to be traded before August 15th.

Colaiacovo could be gone for the same reason that Kyle Wellwood left, he's hurt often. If Kubina or McCabe go, he'd be a good sixth or seventh defenseman though. If Luke Schenn, the 5th overall pick in the 2008 draft, makes a push in camp, he may too take Colaiacovo's spot.

Now, that most of the really good UFA forwards have been signed, I think the Leafs might resign Mats Sundin (pictured backed when he had hair). They have $10.8 million in cap space, and it seems like Fletcher is going to stand firm on his $7 million offer. That's a descent raise from the $5.5 million he made last year but obviously a lot less than Vancouver's offer of $10 million per season. That would make him the highest paid player in the league. I don't think anyone will match that, so he'll probably either go to the Canucks or the Leafs. I think Sundin will be willing to take a pay cut to be where he wants to be just like Marian Hossa did. I don't think he'll sign until August though. Sundin has also received offers from the Canadiens and the Rangers.

I think the Leafs will give Jason Blake another shot. He'll be 35 this season, but he had some stuff to deal with next year like cancer. He could still be a top scorer. It looks like the Leafs may be keeping Mark Bell around too. I think that huge hit on Daniel Alfredsson at the end of the year saved his career.

Besides Fletcher's promise to sign another defenseman soon, any other moves the Leafs perform this off season will depend on whether or not they trade Kubina or McCabe and whether or not Sundin decides to sign back with Toronto.< These situations may not be resolved for another month. Toronto has just enough cap space right now to sign Sundin and a top six defenseman. If Kubina or McCabe are dealt or if Sundin signs elsewhere, they'll have some more cap room to bring in a two or three younger second or third line UFA forwards like Josef Vasicek, Antti Meittinen, Matt Cooke and/or Jason Williams.