Maple Leafs' Training Camp Battles to Watch in September

Certain things such as Auston Matthews being in charge are known, as are that Morgan Rielly will lead on defense, but multiple spots are up for grabs.

Toronto had an active offseason, although they didn't have the major moves they had planned to prior to July 1st.

With a bunch of spots on the roster open for grabs and a few players who could becon the outside looking in, the preseason will be big in determining some major roster decisions for Toronto this season.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have a clear new core-four with Matthew Knies the newest fourth forward on the Leafs roster alongside Auston Matthews, William Nylander, & John Tavares. Beyond that, there's a few spots still up for grabs.

At right wing, Matias Maccelli was signed to fill a hole on the top-six left by Mitch Marner.

It's not clear if he'll get the spot as the playmaker next to Matthews or if Craig Berube will move William Nylander up, taking him off the Tavares line where the two have proven to have strong chemistry.

On the second line at left wing, a fight will likely go down between Bobby McMann and Max Domi. Where McMann was a solid forward who excelled on the second line with a breakout 20 goal season, but a bounceback year from Domi could put him back on the top-six and let McMann add some offense to the bottom-six.

If McMann is dropped to the bottom-six, it would be a major boost to a Leafs offense that had struggled to find production last season both in the regular season and in the playoffs.

Newly acquired forwards Nicolas Roy and Dakota Joshua should add some more offense to the Leafs third line, while Toronto will be banking on a comeback from Scott Laughton, having costed the Leafs a first rounder and a top prospect in Nikita Grebenkin.

It's still unknown if Nick Robertson will make the Leafs roster. He was the most impactful offensive forward for Toronto's bottom-six but struggled to solidify his place.

With roster cuts, one name that has been discussed as a potential exit is David Kampf, with the 30-year-old's place unclear as the Leafs have four capable centers and a solid penalty killing option in Roy, making Kampf and his $2.4M contract highly expendable.

Unlikely to happen but still in contention is top prospect Easton Cowan making the Leafs roster. He may be shut out right away but could find himself appearing in games if he can succeed quickly, likely he'll start in the Marlies.

Another rookie in contention for a spot is center Jacob Quillan, who could eventually be the Leafs fourth-line center if Laughton struggles again.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have done little in changing their defense, with their only acquisition being trading for youngster Henry Thrun, who could battle Simon Benoit for the left-side spot on the Leafs third line, although more likely Thrun may be sent down to the AHL where he'd be given some potential top-pairing chances.

A more likely candidate NHL wise is Philippe Myers. Right now, Myers, a big-bodied veteran, has a more favorable chance at being the 7th man than Thrun, but is an area to watch to see who impresses.

Toronto will likely run it back with the same pairings as last season, although more will be asked of Morgan Rielly to play more to his second half self, having shown improvements after a rough stretch early on.

Anthony Stolarz is going into the preseason as the presumed starter for the Toronto Maple Leafs, with the team hoping this is the year he's able to play in a starting capacity and perform as well as he did last season.

In pairing with Stolarz is Joseph Woll, who will be more of a 1B than a 1A, even if Stolarz performs well. Woll struggled in the playoffs against Florida after Stolarz was injured, and will need to prove himself this season that he could take on the potential starter workload and win out. At least, he needs to be a serviceable backup who can be reliable in relief.

Behind them, the Leafs have top potential NHL netminders in Dennis Hildeby and Artur Akhtyamov, both of whom will have just as intense a battle for the reigns of the Marlies net.

Hildeby is the closer to the NHL, but had struggled with the Leafs and needs to avoid starting off cold as he did last season with the Marlies. Akhtyamov will need to show progression in his game and offset Hildeby, with both of them potentially up for a roster spot if Stolarz is gone.

The Toronto Maple Leafs goalie situation may be its most intense one as it will be a close, cutthroat battle for the reins in net which are not only obtainable, but can go in many different directions.