2022-23 NHL team preview: Toronto Maple Leafs

Auston Matthews won the Hart Trophy as the NHL MVP. His 60 goals broke Rick Vaive's single-season Leaf record of 54. Toronto won 54 games and 115 points in the regular season. They won home ice in Round 1 of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Tampa Bay Lightning won a Game 7 at Scotiabank Arena.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are entering the 2022-23 NHL season. Last year's performance against the Lightning was considered a success story.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have been one of the most dominant offensive teams in the NHL for the last decade. They have a potent forward corps with multiple play-driving superstars in their primes. Last season, they finally clicked on the power play, converting on a league-best 27.3 percent of their chances. Ilya Mikheyev and Ondrej Kase left the team in free agency. General manager Kyle Dubas is betting on Calle Jarnkrok and Nicolas Aube-Kubel to replace their production.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have improved their defensive play in recent seasons. They ranked in the top 10 at preventing scoring chances and high-danger chances. Last season they gave up 14 goals, but that was due to weak goalkeeping. Timothy Liljegren will miss the first month of the season with a hernia surgery. Rasmus Sandin is an RFA and his contract situation is uncertain. The team has the eighth-best penalty kill.

Jack Campbell and Petr Mrazek were terrible in goal for Toronto last season. They were the worst team in the NHL. Jack Campbell went to free agency. The team will sign Matt Murray and Ilya Samsonov.  The team is preparing for the 2022-23 NHL season with a new coach Sheldon Keefe and a different management team. It is also preparing a team for a potential new NHL team, Toronto Maple Leafs.

Keefe is the third-highest points percentage in NHL history among coaches with at least 150 games. Dubas and team president Shanahan are going to keep him around until the end of 2022.

The pressure is on the Toronto Maple Leafs to win a championship before Matthews leaves as a UFA two seasons from now. They need a coach who can help them go far in the playoffs. Sheldon Keefe has been a good fit for the team, but he has struggled to make adjustments deeper in playoff series.

Matthew Knies is the most intriguing prospect for Toronto. Nick Abruzzese will play the bulk of 2022-223 in the AHL. Filip Kral or Mac Hollowel could play in NHL early this season.   for the Toronto Maple Leafs. For the University of Minnesota, Matthew Knieks will turn pro after the NCAA season ends.

Kyle Dubas' contract is not renewed beyond this year. Duba's analytics-heavy approach has helped him produce some dominant regular-season teams and find some excellent bargain signings.

John Tavares turned 32 last week. He is still a viable top-six NHL forward, but his lack of foot speed is becoming visible as he exits his prime. Tavare's contract is starting to take on water at $11 million AAV.

Murray and Samsonov are the make-or-break transactions of the Dubas era. Toronto lost to Carey Price and Andrei Vasilevskiy in consecutive postseasons.

The Atlantic Division is much improved this season. The Toronto Maple Leafs are the best team in the division on paper. They have the least players losses and injuries. Ottawa Senators, Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames have had good offseasons.