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Chat Replay: Are the Leafs on the right track?

Last Updated: Friday, October 2, 2009 | 4:30 PM ET

CBC Sports

The Toronto Maple Leafs have increased optimism heading into the 2009-10 season. (Frank Gunn/Canadian Press)

General manager Brian Burke's master plan has begun for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

A busy off-season saw the Leafs grab some notable free agents, including defencemen Francois Beauchemin and Mike Komisarek along with Swedish goaltending sensation Jonas Gustavsson.

Burke followed that up by nabbing forward Phil Kessel in a trade with the Boston Bruins that sent two first-round picks and a second rounder the other way.

And let's not forget about the talented youngsters Burke has stocked in Toronto's cupboard, or the increased number of pugnacious individuals that have suddenly popped up in the Leaf lineup.

With the rebuilding program in full swing, there's a sense of optimism in Leafs Nation that hasn't existed in years. But will it translate into the Maple Leafs' first post-season berth in five seasons?

Replay CBCSports.ca's live chat with Julian and Chemmy from the popular Leafs blog Pension Plan Puppets, as we broke down the Buds' prospects in 2009-10.

Internal Links

Toronto Maple Leafs season preview
Burke: New Leaf Kessel a 'dynamic player'
BLOG: Friedman: The Kessel Gamble
Maple Leafs send rookie Kadri back to junior
Leafs land Komisarek, trade Kubina
Leafs' Gustavsson makes great 1st impression

Hockey Headlines

Blackhawks roll over Oilers for 6th straight win: Jonathan Toews had a pair of goals and an assist while Cristobal Huet made 28 saves as Chicago Blackhawks beat the Edmonton Oilers 5-2 for their sixth straight win.
Leafs win in shootout thriller: Vesa Toskala earned his first win of the season as the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Washington Capitals 2-1 Saturday night in a shootout thriller.
Red Wings' Kronwall injures knee: Detroit Red Wings defenceman Niklas Kronwall suffered a suspected strained ligament in his left knee Saturday night on what the team feels was a dirty hit by Montreal tough guy Georges Laraque.
Wings top Canadiens in shootout: Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg scored on Detroit's first two shootout attempts to give the Red Wings a 3-2 win over the Canadiens in Montreal on Saturday night.
Senators surge past Sabres: Daniel Alfredsson had two goals and an assist and Filip Kuba had a goal and three assists to lead the Ottawa Senators to a 5-3 win over the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday night at Scotiabank Place.

Sports Headlines

Raptors host potent Magic: The Toronto Raptors will go for their fourth consecutive home win on Sunday afternoon against the only team to defeat them at Air Canada Centre so far, the Orlando Magic (CBC, 12:30 p.m. ET).
Canadian speedskater Groves wins gold: Kristina Groves of Ottawa won her first World Cup gold of the season on Sunday, prevailing in the 1,500-metre race in Hamar, Norway.
What's going to happen in the CFL's division finals?: Having gone a brilliant, confidence building 1-1 in last week's picks, and not planning any trips to Regina in the near future, we present our choices for this Sunday's Canadian Football League division finals.
Galaxy faces underdog Salt Lake in MLS final: Maybe David Beckham hasn't had the impact on North American soccer like Pele once did, but he can emulate the Brazilian legend in one regard.
Leafs win in shootout thriller: Vesa Toskala earned his first win of the season as the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Washington Capitals 2-1 Saturday night in a shootout thriller.