Forwards and goalies aout the same quality as last year. Gardiner, Zaitsev, and Hainsey replaced by Barriem Ceci and Harper, so I'll say the Leafs are worse. Leafs finished with 100 points last year. Montreal finished out of the playoffs with 96 points. To answer your question....pretenders.

Is the loss of Gardiner really a loss, yeah Ceci is slow and Barrie isn't a top defensive player but I feel like they can tighten up defensively with these moves. However, the loss of Kadri takes a bit of chippy play off the Leafs. How bad will this affect the team?

Are you sure you are a Leafs fan?

Gardiner and Barrie. are about the same in my book. Sure Barrie had more points last year but he played the PP. Gardiner's PP time was greatly reduced with the emergence of Reilly and Marner as the point men. Zaitsev and Hainsey were minute eating Dman. Both played big PK minutes. Think Ceci and Harper can do that? Nope. Kadri, Marleau and Brown replaced by Kerfoot, Spezza and a another guy.
Still not sure who replaces Dermot either.
I'm more optimistic for the Leafs in 2020/21.

And to answer Logan. Yes, I'm a Leaf fan...but I try to give objective in my opinions.

IMO leafs got softer up front and weaker on d and the goalies are the same. I’m predicting a good regular season 100+ points because of all the offensive opportunities they can create but in playoffs when teams tighten up and play harder I see the leafs out in round one against almost any team that has a chance to make it

The fact you think Harpur will touch the ice shows how much you watch hockey. How do you not take into account a normal Nylander as well as our VERY young core all improving?? Matthews 21 Nylander 23 Marner 22 Kapanen 23 Johnsson 25 Dermott 23 Rielly still only 25. Spezza, Barrie, Kerfoot as well as Nylander on the 2nd PP will greatly help the 1st unit out and improve our PP even more.. I would say you land in the pretender category of Leaf fans. I also believe Dubas will get something done to address the back up goalie situation once Marner figures out he isn't worth double digits...

Fact as right now, I have shown the three Leaf Dman replacements for the three that is is lost. If you can supply us ACGMs with the 6th man Dman please let us know. But since you don't refuse to provide any insight...how can doubt the current roster that Dumas as supplied. Again thanks for your helpful thought and the goalie situation. The Leafs are currently carrying six .
I categorize you fandom as being overly optimistic. Just wishing for improvement without providing reasons why. FANatic at it's best...or worse.
Lots of Leaf fans or this site. I have good rapport with virtually all and conflicting constructive arguments with some. Thanks for letting me early in your CapFriendly life, you are just a fool to ignore.

Overly optimistic? Come on its the expectation of the young core growing. Also did you miss the whole 2nd PP comment?? Its a PP league, and a solid 2nd unit will make a big difference. I made a solid argument and you state I made no reasons why and then continue to call me the fool LOL and anyone with knowledge on the NHL should be able to tell you Harpur is at best #9 on the Leafs depth chart. Personally Rielly, Muzzin, Barrie, Dermott are top 4 obvi switch them around as you may, than we have 5. Ceci 6. Holl 7.Borgman 8. Marincin 9. Harpur. I havent included Sandin and Lilly obviously who I believe would help more than the 5-9 slots but we will see when the Leafs think they are ready to go. Also pretty easy to move a goalie at league minimum or on a 2way pal.. Really didn't think I had to clarify for you who would be better than Harpur but just for you I made a list. If you need anymore help with talent evaluation you know where to find me!

holl is your number 6 dman. is that your improvement on defence. last year he was eight playing 10 games sitting for a lot more. leafs have the same issue as my jets. too much cap space on forwards especially with the new contracts projected for laine and connor which results in worse defence than last year. no matter how you cut it, leafs certainly are worse on defence. don't know if they are better at forward with the the loss of brown, marleau and kadri.