2012-13 record: 26-17-5 (57 points)
Lost to Boston in Conference quarterfinals
Captain: Dion Phaneuf
The last team to make the playoffs since the 2004 lockout, things were looking up for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the opening round. Unfortunately, the game isn't 50 minutes, and that was a problem, as the Boston Bruins erased a 4-1 deficit with 10 minutes to go in game seven and would eventually win in overtime. The Maple Leafs are not one to rest on their laurels, as they kept the drama going, trading for Jonathan Bernier and Dave Bolland, and signing David Clarkson to a new deal. This all happened while they waited until earlier this month to re-sign Nazem Kadri and yesterday to sign Cody Franson to a new deal. Bernier is not guaranteed a starting job, as he will be battling incumbent James Reimer for that role, Bolland will figure to be a third line center, and Clarkson will miss the first 10 games of the season for leaving the bench during a brawl in the pre-season. Mason Raymond was also signed, and he will provide speed on the wings. As for the players still here, Phil Kessel will still score, James van Riemsdyk is becoming the power forward he was projected to be, and Tyler Bozak will once again feed Kessel. What will be of interest is how Kadri can build upon his breakthrough year and avoid a slump like late in the season. Defensively, there wasn't much of a change. Dion Phaneuf still leads the team, but Franson was the leading scorer (29 to Phaneuf's 28), and the rest of the cast is only there, with Jake Gardiner possibly getting an expanded role. Jay McClement will fall to the fourth line role, but his value is in penalty killing, which explains why the Leafs ranked second in that category.
Prospects: It's now or never for Joe Colborne, who has yet to develop into the center that the Leafs traded for in 2011. Morgan Rielly is the prospect that figures to have the best shot at making the team, as he has little left to prove in Moose Jaw and the Leafs have a need on the blue line. However, if the Leafs aren't comfortable having him on the team for a full season, he could be back in Moose Jaw.
Prediction: 5th in the Atlantic Division
The Maple Leafs made the playoffs for the first time since 2004. However, making it back-to-back will be harder, given the new playoff configuration and the team's ever-present question mark in goal. Defensively, the Leafs will have to prove that the game seven meltdown against Boston was an anomaly, and it will be up to Phaneuf to show why he was handed the C.
No comments:
Post a Comment