Um...with the way the Leafs are currently set up they have cap space to run a 21 man roster. In 19-20, they ran a 22 man roster to start and never went lower than that due to LTIR injuries.

Do you guys think this team is a contender on paper?

This isn't that bad

Fair enough. I don't see much of a difference between a 20 man roster and 21 man roster cuz IMO you need both a spare forward and defenceman to be legit.

The difference is calling up one player to give Spezza, Thornton, Bogo (or anyone) a night off on a b2b becomes impossible with a 20 man roster. It's at least possible to give a guy a night off with a 21 man roster.

Leafs have never carried less than a 22 man roster. So even 21 will become tricky when injuries or illnesses crop up.

Fair enough. In a season with lots of back to backs, it’s important to have 2 spare players in order to rest the older players. I have to assume the Leafs are gonna make 1 more move (probably trade Engvall).

IMO there will be some tweaks to the rules this season, otherwise I doubt Dubas/Pridham would be sitting on a 21 man roster.

NFL for instance tweaked their IR, and practice squad rules/sizes.

The players aren't playing in a bubble this season, so if a player tests positive (inevitable) and 2+ teammates are quarantined as high risk, that's enough to make any team dress less than 20 skaters for a game. So there will have to some sort of taxi squad/AHL team recall arrangement.

Even if the taxi squad doesn't change the cap rules, if Barabanov is demoted to taxi squad, but still makes his NHL salary (instead of $70K AHL salary) that would be a lot easier for him Lehtonen and some others to take.

Three solid top lines.
OMW, that is a tremendous fourth line.
Joe and Jason can still perform and with limited minutes per night, that is a great role for them.
IMO you will be really happy to get Vesey for nothing.
The defense is solid, and the GK is above average.
I have always liked it when the Leafs did well, just not against my Sabres. LOL

Yeah a taxi squad is definitely a possibility with the current circumstance of players and staff being infected by Covid. I think with the addition of a flat cap which most teams weren’t expecting and the possibility of a cancelled AHL season, the league will have to consider it.

Thanks for the feedback. I agree, think Cernak is a really solid addition who will solidify the top 4 defence. I look at Vesey’s stats and they’re all pretty good. His playing style is what Toronto needs, so I definitely think it’s a good move.

I think they're better. Not 100% sure they'll win it, but contend...yeah

Thanks for the feedback. I agree.