Season Preview: Toronto
By Shawn Hutcheon, TheFourthPeriod.com
The
Toronto Maple Leafs began 2011-12 with promise, but earned just two more points
(80) than Montreal with a 35-37-10 record. The Leafs finished fourth in the
Northeast Division and out of the playoff picture. Then-GM Brian Burke heard the
criticism during the off-season and sent the rights to goaltender Jonas
Gustavsson to the Winnipeg Jets for a conditional seventh round pick in 2013. He
also moved defenseman Luke Schenn to Philadelphia for forward James Van Riemsdyk.
Toronto fans were clamouring for a deal that would bring an elite goaltender to
Air Canada Center and while a trade for Vancouver Canucks star Roberto Luongo
remains possible, it won't be Burke the one pulling the trigger after being
replaced by Dave Nonis on Jan. 9.
At the 2012 Entry Draft, the Maple Leafs held the fifth overall pick in the
first round and chose Morgan Rielly from the Moose Jaw Warriors of the Western
Hockey League.
Forwards
The Leafs forward corps is young, speedy and skilled. It can score goals in
bunches, as Toronto finished sixth in the conference in goals-for. Phil Kessel,
Joffrey Lupul, Mikhail Grabovski and Clarke MacArthur each scored 20 or more
goals, while Tyler Bozak finished the season with 18 lamplighters. van Riemsdyk
will fit in well with this group that will only improve as the season moves
along.
Defense
The defense is anchored by team captain Dion Phaneuf who brings a gritty,
physical presence to the Leafs blueline. He can contribute offensively, as well.
Last season, the big defender scored 12 goals and assisted on 32 others for a
total of 44 points, which saw him end the year as the fifth-leading scorer on
the club. He leads a big, mobile group that includes veterans John-Michael Liles
and Mike Komisarek, along with young players such as Carl Gunnarsson and Jake
Gardiner. The blueliners can be intimidating in all areas of the ice and have
improved each season.
Goalies
The big question mark for coach Randy Carlyle's club has been, and continues to
be, goaltending. The Leafs have only one NHL-caliber netminder on its roster in
James Reimer. He has appeared in 71 games during the last two seasons and has a
record of 34-24-0-9. He has amassed a save percentage of .911 and a 2.83 goals
against average. Not everyone in the organization is convinced Reimer is a No. 1
puck stopper, which has brought about endless rumors of a trade for Luongo.
Projected Outcome
Overall, the Leafs should be an improved team in 2013. It all hinges on who will
carry the bulk of the game action in the crease. Barring a deal for a
goaltender, Reimer will be the key to the Leafs playoff hopes with help from
Kessel and Phaneuf. Toronto has proven it can score goals, but can it keep pucks
out of its own net? The answer could mean a spot in the Stanley Cup playoffs
this May, but it is more likely the Leafs will hold onto their fourth place
finish from last season.
3 Players to Watch
Joffrey Lupul
The Leafs need another All-Star performance from Lupul if they want to
compete for a playoff spot this shortened-season. Lupul's in a contract
year, so there might be that added incentive to perform beyond expectations,
and the Leafs could use that. They'd like to get him signed to an extension,
but time will tell when/if that gets ironed out.
Jake Gardiner
The future of Toronto's defense, Morgan Reilly notwithstanding, will be
counted on significantly this season for the Leafs. Gardiner's spent time in
the AHL this season, and that'll be fairly significant for the Leafs, as
they look to get off to a quick start this year, and having Gardiner
contribute at both ends of the ice will be important.
James van Riemsdyk
Toronto's big off-season acquisition should fit in nicely with the rest of
the club. Whether or not he plays center, and plays it well, remains to be
seen, but the Leafs know what he's capable of.
