Hockey-starved hockey fans of Leafs Nation rejoice! (Now say that 10 times fast!) The 2014-2015 NHL season kicks off this Wednesday October 8, and this year promises to be yet another roller-coaster ride of questions as the Leafs attempt to hunt for another taste of the playoffs. This being the second year of the NHL re-alignment, Toronto has now had a taste of what it takes to make it in the tough-as-leather Atlantic Division. Here, we take a look at some of the key points around the team and if the Leafs intend to be the real deal this year.
Who’s out? C Dave Bolland, LW Mason Raymond, F Nikolai Kulemin, D Carl Gunnarsson, C Jay McClement, D Tim Gleason, all of last season’s assistant coaches.
Who’s in? LW David Booth, F Daniel Winnik, C Mike Santorelli, F Petri Kontiola, F Leo Komarov, D Stephane Robidas, D Roman Polak, F Matt Frattin.
On the bubble: C William Nylander, “Tough Guy” Colten Orr, “Tough Guy” Frasor McLaren. Although it is unlikely that prospect William Nylander will make the team, he performed phenomenally in exhibition games during camp and could be put on a 9-NHL game style tryout this year. If we are lucky, Carlyle and Co. will finally do away with bruising cement-heads Colten Orr, Frasor McLaren and the like. The return and addition of Leo Komarov, Matt Frattin plus a few more depth forwards will make it more difficult for these brutes to hang around…. We hope.
Upstairs: President Brendan Shanahan, GM Dave Nonis and new assistant GM Kyle Dubas, who is only 28 years of age. Shanahan is looking to turn this team upside-down all across the board, starting with hiring new assistant coaches and bringing in workhorse producer David Booth and D-men Roman Polak and Stéphane Robidas.
Behind the Bench: Nearly-sacked head coach Randy Carlyle and his new assistant coaches, Steve Spott (coached the Canadian World Junior Team to silver in 2010) and Nashville defensive specialist Peter Horachek will attempt to convey the meaning of defense to the hapless Leafs. A new “system” is said to be in place, significantly different from last year’s so-called “swarm” which failed so miserably.
What’s up?
Following a disappointing year in which the Leafs finished sixth overall in the Eastern Conference, Carlyle and his new assistants are looking for a turnaround. There are definitely a lot of question marks here, particularly with valued acquisition David Booth out for the first several weeks of the season and lesser (but still significant) injuries to blueliner Cody Franson and doghouse, over-expensive forward David Clarkson. Toronto will need more depth production (Clarkson, this means you!) this season in addition to its go-to guys in Phil Kessel and James van Riemsdyk. Between the pipes, Bernier will need to hold his own as he did last year and avoid getting hurt—unless newly-resigned James Reimer can pull himself together. Defence will need to be a priority if there is any hope of these Leafs getting to the playoffs: It will be interesting to see if these guys buy what the new coaching staff are selling on breaking out of their own zone and play while the other team has the puck.
What are the chances?
It would not be surprising if this team followed yet again down the well-trudged rocky road of recent Leaf teams, fooling us into thinking they would make it and then losing it all at the end. That being said, the spark from the lockout-shortened 2013 season could return and they could just as easily make playoffs…. It will depend mostly on their defence or if not, on their ability to outscore the other team despite being severely outshot (déjà vu anyone?). Winning inter-division games and those against weaker opponents will be critical, something the Leafs have struggled to do of late (yet they somehow play better against the good teams, for the most part). Bottom line: 70% chance.
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