In 36 days the Leafs and Canadiens will kickoff their respective seasons against each other at the Air Canada Centre. While the Canadiens are coming off a couple of respectable playoff appearances, the Leafs will be desperately be trying to get in to hockey’s post-season for the first time in six seasons.
The Leafs ended the season last year on 24-15-7 run, good enough for 55 points in 46 games. James Reimer was a big reason for this success and after signing an extension over the summer; the Leafs brass will be expecting big things.
As much as the Leafs did have some success in the second-half of last season; there were clearly glaring problems with the team that had to be addressed at seasons end, and the list was not a short one.
The Maple Leafs special teams play last season was abysmal at best.
Their power play only scored 52 times for a 16% success rate, which was good for 22nd in the NHL.
Their Penalty kill was worse.
Toronto’s 77.4% success rate playing shorthanded ranked 28th in the league, and allowed 62 goals, good for fourth worst.
Even 5-on-5 play wasn’t a strong point for the Leafs club last season, finishing 24th in goals against, and 22nd in +/- at -22, and finished 23rd in goals-for-per-game.
A big sore spot last year for this team was falling behind in the first period, being outscored 80-61 in the opening frame.
With all of that said, the Leafs have made some smart acquisitions this summer to help plug these leaks. While they have taken risks I believe that they are indeed smart risks and will help the team.
Tim Connolly
Tim Connolly still put up 42 points last year in an off year. He has a history of injury but this is a smart risk for Burke to take. He’s a legitimate threat on the ice and his playmaking skills are phenomenal. If he can stay healthy he could not only push Kessel to break the 40 goal mark, but also put up 50-60 points of his own. He’s no Mats Sundin but he’s the most skilled Center the Leafs have put in their lineup in a long time.
Connolly’s work on the power play AND penalty-kill should help elevate the team in both of those areas. He is one of the better defensive forwards in the league and his passing on the power play will be very welcome for Phil Kessel and Co.
Matthew Lombardi
Although it is unknown when Matthew Lombardi will suit up and play his first game as a Leaf, the acquisition of this forward was a great decision by Burke. His health is a question mark but two years ago in Phoenix, Lombardi put up 53 points. A great two-way player with some offensive upside will definite jump start the Leafs bottom-six if he can remain healthy upon his return.
Cody Franson
Another great pick-up for Burke in the Nashville trade was young defenceman Cody Franson. The 24 year-old B.C. native has increased his point total from 21 to 29 in his first two seasons in the NHL. This is better production than Luke Schenn while playing less ice time. He will give the Leafs another option on the power play as well as the penalty kill. Franson is a career +25, which will also help the Leafs tremendously on the back end 5-on-5.
John Michael-Liles
John Michael-Liles will give the Leafs another top-4 defenceman, and his shot and power play prowess will be especially welcome. Liles put up 46 points last year and in the right situation on the power play he could easily break 50. He will likely be the shot on the second power play unit behind Phaneuf, which will give the Leafs two viable threats with the man-advantage. The 30 year old will also bring some experience to a young leafs squad trying to figure out how to win.
Expect coach Ron Wilson to be on the hot seat from the start of the season. He’s missed the playoffs in his first three seasons and while one could argue that he has not had much to work with, his dismal special teams play hasn’t helped his case. This is also coupled with both his assistant coaches, Keith Acton and Dale Hunter being fired. You can expect Wilson to be let go if the Leafs find themselves out of it early on in the season.
There are still a few questions and concerns for this roster heading in to the start of training camp.
Although Connolly and Lombardi were good acquisitions, their health still remains a cause for concern.
Tim Connolly has missed 190 games since the lockout. Although obviously this is out of his control he has still shown to be very injury prone. A good sign however, was that he played in 68 games last year, the most he’s played since 2002 and he looks to be regaining his form. A fresh start in a new city might also help Connolly regain his form.
Matthew Lombardi played only two games last year, having his season ended prematurely due to a concussion. Head injuries are always very hard to gauge in terms of a return but it’s reported that Lombardi is on track to play this year, but his health is still a liability. If he can return with no lingering effects you can expect him to put up at least 40 points while throwing in some grit and fine defensive play.
Jonas Gustavsson is also coming of another season that saw more heart problems. It is unknown whether or not the condition will remain or not. The Leafs will obviously not push him hard but if he can get over it he stands a good chance of helping his team this season.
Goaltending is still a bit of a question mark for this team, as the Leafs brass will be hoping that sophomore James Reimer will be able to continue his good run from last year. Granted Reimer and his numbers were good down the stretch and he gave them a shot at the playoffs, but it’s still a different to start the season as a NHL starter. There is lots of pressure on him, and although he looked to be handling it very well last year, he’s still young.
Jonas Gustavsson will be looking to rebound from a rough season last year, which saw him post a 6-13-2 record and a 3.29 GAA . He will be right there to battle for the number one spot alongside Reimer.
Although losing veteran Jean-Sebastian Gigeure and his experience, a battle for number one goalies might help push this team to the next level.
It took 93 points to get in to the Eastern Conference playoffs last season, which Toronto missed by 8 points. So even if you raise that bar to 96 points the Leafs still only need to secure one more win per month to reach that. Based on their second-half last season, combined with the acquisition that have been made, I’d say this roster is more than capable of making the playoffs. As long as Reimer can string together a decent season along with Gustavsson, and everyone can stay healthy for the most part.
The Leafs have definitely improved their roster from opening night 2010, and also from the end of last season. Looking at the Leafs 18-9-6 record to end last year, as well as the changes they’ve made to their roster, the 2011-2012 season is promising to be an exciting one for Leafs fans everywhere. The Maple Leafs and their fans should taste the post-season for the first time since the lockout. When you’re building a winner you have to start somewhere.
Stay tuned Leafs Nation.
