I'm not sure what this publication is, or who are the 'experts' making these predictions, but I almost think it's a joke. It's like an article in the Onion or something.
Let's just break it down.
Forwards - slight advantage Sens
I say that cause the Sens will have three legitimate scoring lines, while the Leafs only have two. Also, I can't see the Leafs 4th line getting much ice time. Pretty much all liabilities on that one
Defense - Well that one is pretty obvious. The Sens lost Gonchar and have a bit of a hole in the 4th spot, but the top 3 are far and above anything the Leafs have (maybe with Fransen as an exception).
Goaltending - what needs to be said. Ottawa has the best 1,2 punch in the league.
Coaching - Not taking anything away from Carlysle, cause he is a great coach, but
McLean just won the Adams. You have to give it to him.
So how can a so-called expert even come close to ranking the Leafs ahead of the Sens? Maybe they could have put the Leaf forwards ahead of Ottawa's (at least that one is up for debate), but the other three are not even close.
**Edit, it's publications like this that get Leaf fans expectations so high going into every season. I think the media in Toronto has a lot to do with Leafs fans delusions about their team every season. There is just as good of a chance that last year was a 'one off' as there is that they are for real.