Sheldon Keefe watched his first draft as the Maple Leafs head coach before his first “regular” season at the position. And yet, Keefe said, not much had changed. The frustration of another too-quick postseason, another lost home-ice advantage, was still running through his head with all those possible line combinations. But the positives that came from his club’s record-breaking regular season and the two-time champions’ playoff ordeal had not changed. Keefe threw himself into the Leafs’ summer improvement projects with a leap of optimism, encouraged by “the belief we have in our group and how close we felt we were to beating a very, very good team.” However, motivated because, well, we “failed to make it once again.” The hope is that the combination of bitter defeat by a narrow margin and a sweet, infectious belief that the hockey club is on the precipice of breaking out has resulted in minimal roster change. Aside from the new guys in pads, most of the players who show up at the Ford Performance Center for medicals on Wednesday will be as familiar with each other as they were during the long summers. Keefe is right. No, not much has changed. A few tweaks here and there, starting this week in camp, and maybe the result will happen. Current salary cap: $0 General manager: Kyle Dubas Head coach: Sheldon Keefe Assistant coaches: Spencer Carbery, Dean Chynoweth, Manny Malhotra, Curtis Sanford (goal) Unsigned players: Rasmus Sandin (RFA), Zach Aston-Reese (PTO), Dylangu (PTO) THE OBSERVATION QUESTION: Where — and when — does Rasmus Sandin fit in? As the other Leafs report for medicals and prepare to take the ice, Sandin still sits and waits. One of the few outstanding restricted free agents in the NHL to find himself at a contract impasse, the 22-year-old defenseman has plenty of confidence and promise. But his resume and leverage is short. If the lefty isn’t interested in signing a deal similar to friend Timothy Liljegren’s two-year, $2.8 million deal, a one-year promissory note might be the simplest way to put that distraction on the back burner. (Mikey Anderson’s recent one-year, $1 million deal with Los Angeles could provide the template.) How the Sandin saga plays out will have a ripple effect on the roster. If the Swede signs for decent money, does another salary need to be shed in the trade so the Leafs can complain about Opening Night? (Righty Justin Holl is the rumored decoy). (Mark Giordano feels like the only contender.) If Sandin and Dubas can’t find common ground, however, the seventh defenseman slot opens up an opportunity for a cheap free agent recruit like Jordi Benn or Victor Mete to impress in the preseason. That roster flexibility could save a tweener from the October waiver wire. Conversely, with Liljegren missing camp due to injury (as first reported by Chris Johnston ), Sandin could find himself with increased leverage — and ice time. (The Leafs will comment on the nature of Liljegren’s injury on Wednesday.) We’re fascinated to see how it all turns out. MUST WATCH TRAINING CAMP BATTLE: Puzzle that makes the bottom six Keefe will once again be blessed with elite game-breakers at the top of his lineup. Further down the bench, however, the intrigue – and the competition – should intensify. For now, we’ll pencil in unheralded 50-pointer Alexander Kerfoot at left wing with John Tavares and William Nylander in the top six, knowing full well that coaches are content to drop Kerfoot anywhere and likely give the other forwards a crack at producing at such a premium spot. (Calle “Four More Years” Järnkrok, Pierre “I Think I Can Score 20” Engvall, Nick “Time to Pop” Robertson and Adam “Did You See Me at the Worlds?” Gaudette are all candidates to step up offensively and could run higher in the lineup.) The formation of the bottom six, in particular, will be interesting and there is no shortage of options. We see Stanley Cup winner Nicolas Aubé-Kubel as the only fourth-line lock. If true, that leaves two spots open for Gaudette, surprise PTO Zach Aston-Reese, respected veterans Wayne Simmonds and Kyle Clifford, and Marlies like Robertson, Joey Anderson and Curtis Douglas to waive. As with so many overstretched teams, the final cuts may not be made entirely on merit. Caps, waiver eligibility, experience and role will be considered. EXPECTED FRIDAY OUT OF CAMP Michael Bunting–Auston Matthews–Mitchell MarnerAlexander Kerfoot–John Tavares–William NylanderPierre Engvall–David Kämpf–Calle JärnkrokZach Aston-Reese–Adam Gaudette–Nicolas Aubé-Kubel Morgan Rielly–TJ BrodieJake Muzzin–Justin HollMark Giordano–Timothy Liljegren Matt MurrayIlya Samsonov
