Toronto Maple Leafs' Roster Shake-Up: What Fans Still Don't Know

Toronto has a very clear philosophy that is being revamped to the liking of GM Brad Treliving, one that plays more physical and with more grit.

The offseason moves made by Toronto represent not necessarily players who are relied upon to bring offense to the lineup, although preferred, but bring a sense of strength and intensity that has been the foundation of what is being built for the Leafs this season.

The Toronto Maple Leafs hardly have deals go under the radar, they're constantly talked about, but just how effective they'll be is something that's been lost in the conversation.

A lot of discussion on next season revolves around how the culture will change with Mitch Marner gone, but at times do little in scrutinizing the Leafs new acquisitions under a microscope.

Nicolas Roy, acquired for Marner in the sign-and-trade from Vegas, is a solid defensive center who will replace the outgoing Pontus Holmberg, who signed with Tampa Bay, and like Holmberg can play on the penalty kill and disrupt plays.

Toronto added a potential high-reward winger in Matias Maccelli, who only two seasons ago had 57 points but regressed down to just 18 last season.

If he is able to rebound to his old self, he could find himself a challenger for Marner's old spot in the Leafs lineup.

Toronto also signed Dakota Joshua, similarly to Maccelli, a player looking for a rebound as he struggled early after coming into the season late due to an offseason cancer diagnosis.

When at 100%, Joshua is one of the more physical checking forwards in the game.

Toronto also made a few depth signings that are likely Marlies signings, led by a potential NHL call-up option in Vinni Lettieri, who played 26 games last season for Boston.

Michael Pezzetta, who played 26 games for Montreal last season, is a potential 13th forward option.

The Toronto Maple Leafs kept their defense largely intact, but added defenseman Henry Thrun from the San Jose Sharks as another reclamation project.

Thrun, who had shown some promise as an NHLer, struggled at both ends last season with San Jose. Some time in the minors as a leader for the Marlies could do some good for him before competing for a roster spot, although he'll be in contention.

The Toronto Maple Leafs as of right now had not answered their goal of finding a top-six forward to replace Marner. The Leafs are clearly looking to be more ambitious than Maccelli, as even with his acquistion did Brad Treliving express a desire to add more.

With the Leafs once again in the familiar spot currently operating under a limited cap room, Toronto will be focusing on a potential trade if they want an upgrade, but haven't signaled that to be the case.

Toronto is still linked in free agency to the top remaining forward in Jack Roslovic, although the Leafs face another question mark with their lineup as it is.

As it stands, the Leafs have 14 forwards in their lineup, and if they were to add Roslovic, that would make for 15 players. This doesn't include Pezzetta, who PuckPedia has a non-roster player.

While a trade could very well happen whether the Leafs add to their roster or not, there's a good chance of there being an odd man out in the lineup.

Two potential names being Nick Robertson, who signed a deal to avoid arbitration, and David Kampf, who is making $2.4M in a fourth-line role.

The Toronto Maple Leafs still have a variety of unanswered roster questions, specifically on the forward side, which will almost certainly make for a major storyline to watch before the start of the regular season.