The Toronto Maple Leafs enter training camp with a crowded roster that already lists 14 forwards and seven defensemen. Most roster spots appear secured, leaving competition primarily at the bottom of the forward group. Veterans such as Calle Jarnkrok, David Kampf, Nick Robertson, and Bobby McMann face the greatest risk of being assigned to the AHL based on camp performance. The defensive group is effectively set with no realistic openings for a call-up. Only a standout performance from a Toronto Marlies forward would create a genuine path to an opening-night roster spot, with Jacob Quillan presented as a plausible candidate.
While other teams around the NHL will have a couple spots to fill and have a mix of veteran skaters and young and hungry prospects fighting for that roster spot and to not suffer the heartbreak of a cut before opening night; the Leafs don't. If anything, they have more than the actual skaters they should have. With the re-signing of Nick Robertson earlier this month, the Maple Leafs have 14 forwards and seven defensemen on the NHL roster.
The real battle will be at the bottom of the lineup and instead of players fighting to get a spot, it will be veterans fighting to not lose one. Calle Jarnkrok, David Kampf, Nick Robertson, and Bobby McMann feel like the logical group of forwards who could have their roster spot in jeopardy and it all depends on how they look at training camp to determine if they are sent down to the AHL or not. Everyone else is fairly safe.
But on the blue line, it's even more cemented. Morgan Rielly, Brandon Carlo, Jake McCabe, Chris Tanev, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Simon Benoit, and Henry Thrun -- there's no room for anyone to really wriggle their way into that group on the back end. So, it's really only a forward that would technically have a shot at being able to make the opening night roster, barring any injuries.
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