As the Toronto Maple Leafs gear up for the highly anticipated NHL season opener against the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday, the team is making some significant roster decisions. On Sunday, the Maple Leafs placed goalie Matt Murray and defenceman Marshall Rifai on waivers. This critical step comes as General Manager Brad Treliving and Assistant GM Brandon Pridham work diligently to ensure the team is compliant with the salary cap ahead of the Monday deadline.

The situation is tense as teams around the league brace for potential claims. However, analysts believe the Leafs are likely to retain Murray, who has shown promising recovery from his bilateral hip surgery, along with Rifai, whose modest salary of $775,000 might not attract much attention from other teams. Should Murray be picked up, the Leafs have Dennis Hildeby positioned well to step in as backup for either Joseph Woll or Anthony Stolarz.

The Maple Leafs’ roster decisions extend beyond waivers. Expectations are high that forwards Max Pacioretty and Steven Lorentz, both currently on professional tryouts, will secure contracts soon. Pacioretty is regarded for his ability to provide much-needed secondary scoring, and Lorentz has impressed during training with his skill set, earning a likely spot on the fourth line.

In a strategic move, Treliving may also choose to place defenceman Jani Hakanpaa (knee injury) and forward Connor Dewar (shoulder injury) on long-term injured reserve. While both players are on track for returns, starting the season on injured reserve would provide immediate cap relief for the Leafs.

One intriguing narrative involves Easton Cowan, a forward whose future remains undecided as he may return to the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League. The situation surrounding Cowan reflects the intricate decisions facing the Leafs management as they finalize their roster.

The scrutiny is not limited to the Leafs alone. Several former Maple Leafs have also been impacted: Pierre Engvall was waived by the New York Islanders, along with defencemen Justin Holl and William Lagesson by the Detroit Red Wings. Goalies James Reimer and forwards Zach Aston-Reese are likewise facing uncertain futures with the Buffalo Sabres and Vegas Golden Knights, respectively.

All eyes are on Nick Robertson, who shined during preseason despite a tumultuous offseason marked by a trade request. With five goals in the preseason, he's poised to take on a significant role in the upcoming regular season. Captain Auston Matthews lauded Robertson's improved demeanor and work ethic, attributing his potential impact to a refreshed mindset.

Lastly, as the Leafs look to improve their power play, assistant coach Marc Savard’s encouragement to rely on players’ instincts offers a fresh perspective. With theteam's core unit of Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, John Tavares, and Morgan Rielly, the goal is to reclaim the league's top power-play position after a dip last season.

Stay tuned, as the final roster decisions are just days away, and they’re sure to create waves across the league!