Insider

By signing free-agent C Joe Nieuwendyk the Maple Leafs finally have a bona fide No. 2 pivot behind Mats Sundin. Nieuwendyk will score points, win face-offs and be a positive influence in the dressing room....

Expect fifth-year F Nik Antropov to start using his size (6'5", 203 pounds) and strength to blossom into an offensive force....

With the defense undermanned because of the retirement of steady veteran Robert Svehla, Toronto's solid specialty units must be as strong as ever.