Igor Ozhiganov has left the Toronto Maple Leafs and returned to the KHL. Travis Dermott is injured, and both Ron Hainsey and Nikita Zaitsev are now gone. Alas, even Jake Gardiner has betrayed us and moved to Carolina.
That means that only Morgan Rielly – the should have been Norris Trophy Winner – will return from last year’s first game.
Who will make up the rest of the Leafs blue line? Glad you asked.
Toronto Maple Leafs Defense
With Dermott injured, it seems to be accepted that Cody Ceci will start on Morgan Rielly’s right side.