Hi there, I really enjoy and am somewhat intimidated by the well informed and inscisive writing that is presented on this site. I've been a lurker for a while now but you can't stand at the edge of the pool for ever, so I'm diving right in with this fun roster challenge. Hope it's OK that I've started my own thread as opposed to posting this in another thread that's already begun, I'd hate to think that I'm comitting a faux pas right off the bat but I'm a total glory hog...not to be confused with a total glory hole.

Anyhoo, as you can see from my posted roster, I think there will be some change but I think (hope) that Burke will take a pass on the big ticket forwards available such as the Sedins, Gaborik and Cammelleri. It's my view that BB has enough "offensive" type forwards and will be looking to add some "truculent" forwards who will be defensively responsible. I'm expecting the Leafs to settle with Grabovski on a one year deal so they can see how he does in a second full season of work. I'm also anticipating Pogge to re-sign for 1 yr. for the similar reason that they'd like to see if he'll improve without tying themselves to him long term. Hopefully Allaire will be able to teach Justin to use his size effectively.

I had hoped to see Burke make a splash by signing Jay Bouwmeester for the D but his cap hit will be just too great IMO. I've gone for a cheaper option for a puck moving D-Man who I think is pretty underrated. He's needed after BB trades Kaberle to land a second top 5 pick this year.

"The Monster" will go to Colorado leaving the Leafs to sign a capable backup. 

I'm sure you'll all let me know where I've screwed up. A couple things I was unsure of: I anticipate Stalberg playing for the Marlies but I have no cap info for him, and...is Bozak's cap hit really 4 mil?

FORWARDS

Ponikarovsky (2.5) / Grabovski (2.75) / Kulemin (0.85)

Blake (4.5) / Schenn (0.875) / Stempniak (3.5)

Bozak (4?) / Hanson (0.875) / Hagman (3.0)

Travis Moen (1.5) / Mitchell (0.5) / Blair Betts (1.0)

Devereaux (0.6)

Marlies: Tlusty (0.765), Williams (0.6), Ondrus (0.5), Stapleton (0.725), Deveaux (0.5)

Traded: Jamal Mayers back to StL for a 5th or 6th rounder, Stajan somewheres for a 2nd or 3rd rounder.

Not Re-Signed: May, Hollweg, Hamilton, Newbury, Battaglia

F.A. Forward Possibilities: Travis Moen, Sami Pahlsson, Blair Betts, Joel Ward, Mike Grier

Forward Total: $29.54M

DEFENCE

Schenn (0.875) / Kubina (5.0)

Finger (3.5) / Kurtis Foster (2.5)

Van Ryn (3.35) / White (0.95)

Frogren (0.9)

Marlies: Stralman (0.665), Sifers (0.6), Oreskovic (0.6)

Traded: Tomas Kaberle + 2009 2nd Rounder + future conditional (read: lottery protected) 1st rounder to Atl for 2009 1st rounder (4th overall)

Not Re-Signed: Heward, Reitz

F.A. Defence Possibilities: Bouwmeester, Beauchemin, Kurtis Foster, Aaron Johnson, Johnny Oduya

Defence Total: $18.94M

GOALIES

Toskala (4.0)

Jason LaBarbera (1.0)

Marlies: Pogge (0.725)

Not Re-Signed: Kolzig, Gerber

Goalies Total: $5.725M

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Andcy Raycker (0.733)

Dardrew Tucroft (1.0)

Bum Total: $1.733

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Total Cap: $55.938

Leafs Draft: Brayden Schenn (4th) and Magnuss "Pervy" Svensson (7th) (stays in Europe)

So there it is, I think my math is sound and we should be left with a tiny bit of wiggle room below the cap. I know that my forward lines don't follow the Burkian philosophy of 2 scoring lines and 2 lines of belligerent terror but I'm working off of what we have. Now...HAVE AT ME!