Leafs Notebook, John Tavares Edition: Matchup implications, 11/7, Cap Crunching, Can More Offense Help the Defense?

john tavares is a toronto maple leafFor a team coming off of a 105-point season in which their best player missed 20 games, the Toronto Maple Leafs have undergone quite a few significant changes in the last few weeks.

Their leading goal scorer, James van Riemsdyk, signed with the Philadelphia Flyers and their longest-tenured player, Tyler Bozak, will now be wearing a different shade of blue in St. Louis. Leaf regulars over the last few seasons in Roman Polak and Leo Komarov have also departed.

In response, the organization was able to add a legitimate superstar in his prime in John Tavares. Bigger roles appear in store for youngsters Andreas Johnsson and Kasperi Kapanen, and the defense has…