2011-12 NHL Team Preview: Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leaf fans have had their faith tested like never before throughout the decade. They last played a playoff game in 2004. The seven-year drought is the longest in franchise history and will extend to at least eight years this spring.
However, the Buds showed promise last season for the first time in the Brian Burke era, going 18-7-6 over their final 31 games. Will they finally put the golf clubs away and play some meaningful April hockey this season?
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS
Stanley Cup odds: +4500
To assess whether or not the Leafs can take the next step and return to the playoff season, let’s start at examining what clicked in the second half last season and whether or not it’s repeatable.
The single biggest influence on Toronto’s success in 2010-11 was rookie goaltender James Reimer. Optimus Reim looked like a seasoned vet from the moment he took the ice, going 20-10-5 with a 2.60 goals against average and .921 save percentage.
The most important question for the Leafs this season is whether or not Reimer was a fluke. I’m a believer. The key to his success wasn’t scrambling or athleticism. It was maturity, technique and lateral movement. He never overplayed the puck. His calmness reminded me of a young Ed Belfour. I believe his skills are quite sustainable.
It helps that the defense in front of Reimer is an ever-improving group. For all the flak Dion Phaneuf has taken, he was very much the Phaneuf of old in the second half last season, pasting opponents with thunderous hits and taking smarter shots. He’s still only 26 years old and just entering his prime.
Joining him is Luke Schenn, a captain-in-training who showed remarkably improved puck skills and shutdown ability last season. Smooth-skating Carl Gunnarsson returns after a so-so sophomore campaign and Mike Komisarek is still looking for his first good year with the team. Toronto made two key new defensive additions; John-Michael Liles will take over the power-play quarterback vacancy left by Tomas Kaberle and Cody Franson, acquired from Nashville, gives the Leafs another young, underrated guy with top-four ability.
For Toronto to make a playoff push, its scoring must improve. Clarke MacArthur, Mikhail Grabovski and Nik Kulemin were a fantastic line last season – by second -line standards. The Leafs need a true first line. Phil Kessel absolutely has the talent to be a front-line scorer; hell be 24 in October and already has three 30-goal seasons in the NHL. For him to break through and hit the 40-goal mark, key offseason signing Tim Connolly has to stay healthy.
Connolly likely won’t stay healthy but, when he does, expect Kessel’s production to spike. Talent isn’t the problem for Connolly; he has great hands and vision. He should help the power play.
The rest of Toronto’s forward corps has plenty of speed and checking ability but lacks true scoring touch. If Joffrey Lupul can build on his resurgent 2010-11 campaign and prospect Nazem Kadri can stick with the big club, the team’s offensive skill level will rise. Otherwise, Toronto will again cross its fingers hoping for overachieving efforts from ordinary talents like MacArthur, Colby Armstrong and Mike Brown.
To me, Toronto is a poor man’s Buffalo. It has an excellent blueline, (probably) good goaltending and lacks elite scoring prowess up front. This season, however, I believe the Leafs’ continued defensive improvement will be just enough to squeak them in as the No. 8 seed.
2011-12 will be the most fun Leafs fans have had in a while. Also, watch for Nik Kulemin as a darkhorse Selke Trophy candidate. He scored 30 goals last season but is also among the league’s most underrated defensive forwards.
Prediction:3rd, Northeast Division
