So, it has been a summer of change for the Leafs. As there have been some players that have moved on to other teams. Most notably Zach Hyman has gone to the Edmonton Oilers, he was an integral part of the Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner line last year which was so effective. Now having said that, change was needed and to go in a different direction based on how last season’s postseason went for the Leafs. It was yet another disappointing loss and first-round exit, this time against Montreal. No to mention, we added new guys some of which actually made the Leafs roster this time around. Michael Bunting (Local Toronto boy) was brought in for his grit and tenacious ability to be a pest around the net and put in “dirty goals”. If the team wants to get far this season, then they better get used to getting dirty goals because those are what win you games later on down the road. For as long as I have been a fan of this team, they have been disappointing in the postseason. Known as a team that underachieves and fails to get it done when the game and time matters most.
Now don’t get me wrong I have seen the Leafs have many successful games and team/ player achievements over the years, just not enough to get them deep in the playoffs. This season feels like a do-or-die scenario for the group. If they make the playoffs and they are bounced quickly, then I can see a major roster overhaul starting from the top at GM Kyle Dubas and Leafs President Brenden Shanahan. Their plan to build this team up from rock bottom to continually a playoff contender has worked and is quite commendable if you ask me. However, it’s been 6-8 years without any playoff success and people are starting to run out of patience. Good things take time, but how much time is the question. Sooner or later top-level people at MLSE (Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment) are going to start to wonder if this path is worth sticking it out for. At the end of the day, it’s a results-oriented business and if you don’t find ways to win games, then what have you really accomplished? As was true last season and now this season, at times some games are going to be harder to watch; but it’s all part of growing and maturing as a team. That heartache and effort you need to put into every shift and the habits you build throughout the season, determine how much success you have come playoff time. It will be interesting to see how the Leafs fare this season; however, it is clear there is a sense of urgency around the team this time.
According to hockey analysts, this team has more overall depth on paper than last year’s team so that’s good news. How far that depth takes them remains to be seen although. Staying away from the injury bug is going to be huge to go on in the long run. Wayne Simmonds heart and soul tough guy is back for another kick at the can. From the new guys brought in: Nick Ritchie, Petr Mrazek, David Kampf, Kurtis Gabriel, Ondrej Kase, Bunting, and Michael Amadio. Ritchie intrigues me the most as he will be playing with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner by the looks of it. He is the type of guy who may thrive in a role alongside those two because he is a bigger body who can score and is not afraid to mix it up from a physical standpoint in front of the net as well. He goes to the dirty areas and these kinds of goals are what was missing from last year’s team. Overall, I’m expecting a better season all around for the buds because they need to deliver results, the time has come for this group and people will not expect anything less from them. People’s jobs are on the line, Sheldon Keefe, Leafs head coach resigned recently and seems determined/on a mission to get past the sting of last year’s disappointment. Ultimately though, getting past the division this team is in won’t be easy. They are back in the Atlantic division where every team seems to have improved. Most teams in their division are either a powerhouse (Tampa Bay Lightning) or a strong playoff contender. Not to mention, teams always seem to bring their A-game whenever they faceoff with the Leafs. I’m intrigued to see how the defense holds up and the impact young guys like Rasmus Sandin and Timothy Liljegren have on the back end. Go Leafs Go! It’s do or die for them this year let’s hope they hold up their end of the bargain. I’m predicting a second-round appearance in the postseason for the Leafs this season, fingers crossed they don’t let me and the rest of Leafs Nation down. Otherwise, as alluded to prior consequences in the forms of firings and trading of long-time players will ensue…. mark my words!
As always, And GO LEAFS GO!!
Until the next one, signing off
Matt
(Team 6ixhappening)