Speculation: The Leafs Will Be Sneaky Elite This Season, And Here's Why:

[ponder]

I think our forward group looks terrific - compared to last year, more offensive talent, more toughness, at the cost of some defensive ability, but that's OK.

Our goaltending about the same as last year. Nothing special, but not terrible - good enough.

My main concern is our D - specifically Brodie and Gio. Brodie's 33, Gio will be 40 by the start of the season, and while they were both strong for the first ~2/3 of last season, they both struggled near the end of the season, and REALLY struggled in the playoffs. Compared to our D at the end of last season, Schenn and Holl are both gone, Klingberg is an offensive specialist, so we're absolutely gonna need Brodie and Gio carrying the toughest defensive dman load. And it will be a tougher job, because our forward group is worse defensively IMO. I'm worried they're no longer capable of doing this well, and we don't have other options.

If Brodie and Gio play like they did in the playoffs last year (or worse), this D is a major weakness:

Rielly - Brodie
McCabe - Klingberg
Gio - Lily

But it's also possible that they were both just injured, will be healthy this year, and will be back to their form of the first ~2/3 of this season. If so, our D is fine, so hopefully that's the case!

Overall though, I do like our team quite a bit this year. Plus if Brodie and/or Gio are looking washed, hopefully that's a solvable problem - e.g. hopefully something Treliving can address through midseason trades.

 

[Ianturnedbull]

Our defense scares me...and not in a good way.

You should cheer for Detroit this year.

Your favourite ex-leaf Justin Holl should really raise the level of their defense.

 

[Sypher04]

I’m not worried about Brodie.
Gio could be an issue, but likely would be fine if we just load manage him.

 

[ACC1224]

Our defense scares me...and not in a good way.

There’s a good way to be scared?

 

[Da Cool Rula]

I also think Morgan Reilly has a big season with Klingberg lurking

 

[mjd1001]

Again, what is the definition of 'elite' for them, and for that matter 'sneaky'

I don't think there is anything 'sneaky' about them. In Canada, most of the country follow the Leafs and Canadians, and Montreal isn't that good so that attention shifts toward the Leafs. In the States, no one really cares all that much about the Leafs any more than any other team other than the hometown team. So sneaky? not really.

The elite part. 1.) VERY good. They have star players, the important players on this roster 'on average' are close to their peak performance years in terms of age. There is no way this should not be team that is in the top 5 or 6 in the league. 2.) This is probably their best chance in the entire window to progress toward the cup. Their main roadblocks in the past (Boston and Tampa) are both slowing with age where the Leafs are not. Their future roadblocks (Buffalo and Ottawa) are a year away from being a serious concern. THIS year is the window there the Leafs should be clearly ahead of both the risers and the fallers around them in the division. The Leafs should clearly be at the top of the division and the 'elite' team in the division this year.

Once they get out of the division...now New Jersey and a (possibly healthy) Carolina might be a new type of roadblock, but lets not worry about that yet.

 

[Drytoast]

We only had Luke Schenn at the deadline + playoffs. Was he a leaf for more than a month? Somehow we got into the playoffs without him.

He's a big reason as to why we got past the first round when he made the declaration that the Lightening were not going to bully their way through that series. And that's ontop of being a wall in our end.

Leafs have no problem making the playoffs. So I could care less about the regular season. I care about the playoffs. We need a Luke Schenn.

 

[Gary Nylund]

The elite part. 1.) VERY good. They have star players, the important players on this roster 'on average' are close to their peak performance years in terms of age. There is no way this should not be team that is in the top 5 or 6 in the league. 2.) This is probably their best chance in the entire window to progress toward the cup. Their main roadblocks in the past (Boston and Tampa) are both slowing with age where the Leafs are not. Their future roadblocks (Buffalo and Ottawa) are a year away from being a serious concern. THIS year is the window there the Leafs should be clearly ahead of both the risers and the fallers around them in the division. The Leafs should clearly be at the top of the division and the 'elite' team in the division this year.

Once they get out of the division...now New Jersey and a (possibly healthy) Carolina might be a new type of roadblock, but lets not worry about that yet.

Their best chance might have been last season. They managed to get past Boston, and the other "main roadblock" was taken out for them by Florida, problem was they couldn't manage once again to get past a team that they were huge favorites to beat. They spend a ton futures to add ROR at the TDL among others, not sure they can spend that much again or the cupboards will be completely bare.

He's a big reason as to why we got past the first round when he made the declaration that the Lightening were not going to bully their way through that series. And that's ontop of being a wall in our end.

Leafs have no problem making the playoffs. So I could care less about the regular season. I care about the playoffs. We need a Luke Schenn.

This.

 

[Ianturnedbull]

He's a big reason as to why we got past the first round when he made the declaration that the Lightening were not going to bully their way through that series. And that's ontop of being a wall in our end.

Leafs have no problem making the playoffs. So I could care less about the regular season. I care about the playoffs. We need a Luke Schenn.

What? You can't have him.

Do you have another suggestion?

 

[Drytoast]

What? You can't have him.

Do you have another suggestion?

Not at this time. I'm still bitter we passed on him and instead signed last years most defensive liability defenseman and his partner.

 

[Macallan18]

Forwards look better, defence looks worse

Honestly, if they added a truly elite defenceman, the team would look all right. Maybe Nylander for some stud d-man?

 

[Hellcat]

And some considered excellent coaches have never won.


Don't over estimate Domi. He has failed on a number of teams for a reason.

When's the PPV cage match Domi's dad vs Marner's dad? We can have it in December and call it Super Douche December Cage Match - Battle of the asshats!!

 

[notDatsyuk]

Honestly, if they added a truly elite defenceman, the team would look all right. Maybe Nylander for some stud d-man?

There's already a (lame) thread about that.

 

[NMacrules]

I like this Team, but I dont trust the Goaltending... hopefully it holds up, and they change my mind

I trust the goaltending...I just don't trust Keefe. This is a team filled with stars and you could pluck a 5 year old girl out of the stands and get the same wins as Keefe.

 

[DarylO]

You should cheer for Detroit this year.

Your favourite ex-leaf Justin Holl should really raise the level of their defense.

Haha. so true.

I do in fact have a signed Holl stick from his Marlies days.

 

[Niagara Bill]

When's the PPV cage match Domi's dad vs Marner's dad? We can have it in December and call it Super Douche December Cage Match - Battle of the asshats!!

Do you fight the winner or loser?

 

[Hellcat]

Do you fight the winner or loser?

Uh clearly to be the king you have to beat the King... I'd take either one ...

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

I still don't know what "sneaky Elite." means

 

[Puckstuff]

This is my overall confidence in the group on each player filling their role

1. Rielly, Liljegren . I feel good about Rielly as a OFD and Lilly being a capable bottom pair D.
2. McCabe, feel ok about him being a #3-#4 D.
3. Klingberg - Toss up on him returning to being a top 3-4 D.
4. Brodie - This could also go either way. It's more about his body and health then his skill set.
5. Giordano - I think his body is breaking down but I'm not sure. Maybe he surprises.

To me, the biggest question marks are Klingberg and Brodie as they are more important because their both top 4.

I'm a little concerned about the depth. I'm worried an injury or two to a couple key guys could really set this D group back.

 

[Shanwhatplan]

The Leafs have put up 111 and 115 points the last 2 years.

They have won 105 of their last 164 games.

They have at least a point in 122 of those games.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are not sneaking up on anybody.

What are you talking about

Hopefully he’s talking about the playoffs!

 

[Shanwhatplan]

This is my overall confidence in the group on each player filling their role

1. Rielly, Liljegren . I feel good about Rielly as a OFD and Lilly being a capable bottom pair D.
2. McCabe, feel ok about him being a #3-#4 D.
3. Klingberg - Toss up on him returning to being a top 3-4 D.
4. Brodie - This could also go either way. It's more about his body and health then his skill set.
5. Giordano - I think his body is breaking down but I'm not sure. Maybe he surprises.

To me, the biggest question marks are Klingberg and Brodie as they are more important because their both top 4.

I'm a little concerned about the depth. I'm worried an injury or two to a couple key guys could really set this D group back.

I’m hoping that Brodie’s problems were a direct result of the off-ice health problems that were happening to his family. That had to have been taking a toll on him, especially mentally.

 

[TIGERCOOL]

Me responding to a February thread about what we still hadn't addressed at the deadline:

Scoring LW or a real #1 PP quarterback... So, same as always.

Needless to say I'm happy with Treliving's additions. We finally have offensive BALANCE. This team will be a handful, and I'm, for the first time with this core, confident that we can take the division.

Only big question is if Klingberg can earn Keefe's trust to take important minutes and potentially replace Rielly on the top PP unit.

Not as worried about defence as some are - Keefe is a defensive specialist and he'll get buy-in from Bertuzzi and Domi on the other side of the puck. I think we pick up a good 2C/3C rental at the deadline again.

Just stay healthy.

 

[ACC1224]

I still don't know what "sneaky Elite." means

It’s the title of my autobiography

 

[keonsbitterness]

I still don't know what "sneaky Elite." means

Cheaters who get away with it.

 

[Darcy Tucker]

I think it refers to the fact we will be an elite team without the hallmarks of most of the top teams. No insane goalie , no rockstar dmen. Just a whole lot of talent and a new mix of gritty players. I think they have the best mix to win the Atlantic and if our goalies get hot maybe even a President's trophy.

Also isn't it great to not have to discuss the first round curse. This team has a new manager at the helm and a new identity and it doesn't have the same stale feeling the previous training camps brought.