News Article: NHL.com Article On Leafs

[colchar]

Nothing particularly illuminating here but I figured some might like to read it anyway:


http://mapleleafs.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=890438



On another note, why isn't nhl.com an official thread prefix here? It would seem like an obvious choice.

Click to read more...

 

[BertCorbeau]

There's still pain coming. The hardest parts will be watching the highly touted kids - the ones who are supposed to lead the team to success - go through the growing pains of the NHL.

 

[TheProspector]

Playoffs. We'll be in the hunt.

 

[A1LeafNation]

I expect them to get a good half season of productive hockey in this season and struggle for the other half. Some will struggle in the beginning some in the latter part, some will be streaky. Not all paths will be the same. They will get there over the next few seasons. Leafs fans will complain about them after two games and for some reason pin guys like nylander vs. Matthews rather than enjoy both.

Never understood why it had to be either Reimer or Bernier when it was beneficial to have both of them play 40 games each.

 

[Randy Randerson]

There's still pain coming. The hardest parts will be watching the highly touted kids - the ones who are supposed to lead the team to success - go through the growing pains of the NHL.

It will be hard watching some of them not pan out too, I think most of us are already doing subconscious line combos for 2017-2018 and beyond and some of the guys we have slotted in will fizzle.....or if they all turn out there's more than we'll have space for, big adjustment having surplus prospects

 

[Liminality]

There's still pain coming. The hardest parts will be watching the highly touted kids - the ones who are supposed to lead the team to success - go through the growing pains of the NHL.

Agreed, last season will be a walk in the park compared to the next couple.

Management did a very good job by giving the Leafs the lowest expectations. They're still going to be relatively low next season but we're now expecting progress and development. It might be right or it might be wrong but as soon as we see some non-linear progression, you can bet that there will be people asking for someone to be traded or fired.

Patience is going to be needed for quite a while yet.

 

[Mr Hockey*]

I see some pretty exciting hockey being played starting this season.

 

[Audi*]

would be great to have another top 5 pick (d)... but i'm not counting on it

 

[RyanOhReally]

I think we're a bubble team until injuries and fatigue set in. Top 10 pick next draft, that's for sure.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

Agreed, last season will be a walk in the park compared to the next couple.

Management did a very good job by giving the Leafs the lowest expectations. They're still going to be relatively low next season but we're now expecting progress and development. It might be right or it might be wrong but as soon as we see some non-linear progression, you can bet that there will be people asking for someone to be traded or fired.

Patience is going to be needed for quite a while yet.

They can't be worse than last year that's literally impossible

 

[Funk21]

If we get Foote this coming draft I will call this season a win. Obviously I hope the kids all great seasons. It would be nice to flip most of our vets for more picks.

 

[Anthrax442]

NHL.com needed some clicks.

 

[Mad Brills*]

It will be hard watching some of them not pan out too, I think most of us are already doing subconscious line combos for 2017-2018 and beyond and some of the guys we have slotted in will fizzle.....or if they all turn out there's more than we'll have space for, big adjustment having surplus prospects

If any of the big 3 flop, yikes.

 

[colchar]

would be great to have another top 5 pick (d)... but i'm not counting on it

I would prefer that happen through a trade.

 

[The_Puck_Hog]

I expect a season much like the Sabres had last year...

75-85 points

I think people who are saying the Leafs will fight for a playoff spot are doing so with their hearts and not their brains. I hope I'm wrong and they fight for a playoff spot, but, I just don't see it happening. The easiest way to put in perspective is to ask yourself who the Leafs can finish ahead of in the standings...

In no particular order:

Pittsburgh - No
Washington - No
Tampa Bay - No
Florida - No
Islanders - No
Rangers - No
Montreal - Not with Carey Price in net !!!

Flyers - Probably not for coming season
Bruins - Probably not for coming season
Sabres - No - I think they are 1 year ahead of Leafs in development & established playes and will be good for several seasons to come

So that's 10 teams that should finish ahead of the Leafs, or at least are expected to do so. Now in a couple seasons ( IF prospects develop like they're expected / were hoping ), I can see the Leafs surpassing teams such as Islanders, Rangers (Lundquist getting old), Flyers, Bruins and Montreal.

I guess we will wait and see.... Really looking forward to this season ...

 

[The_Puck_Hog]

They can't be worse than last year that's literally impossible

Agreed, last season will be a walk in the park compared to the next couple.

Management did a very good job by giving the Leafs the lowest expectations. They're still going to be relatively low next season but we're now expecting progress and development. It might be right or it might be wrong but as soon as we see some non-linear progression, you can bet that there will be people asking for someone to be traded or fired.

Patience is going to be needed for quite a while yet.

Huh ? Walk in the Park ? I think you are saying that we will have increased expectations, so it will be harder than last year ? But I can't disagree with you more, this season should be much more refreshing to watch for those with realistic expectations. (75-85 points )

But... Even though the,"Pain," may not be over. There is no way this team is worse than last year, not a chance in hell !

 

[Kearsley21]

Who are the 5 6 kids who will score big time in this league that Babcock is talkingoing about ? The big 3 are obvious but who are the other 2 3?

 

[Community]

Who are the 5 6 kids who will score big time in this league that Babcock is talkingoing about ? The big 3 are obvious but who are the other 2 3?

Definitely Brown as #4 and Kapanen #5.... im sure by saying 5-6 he's hoping one of Leivo, Soshnikov, Johnson, etc. will end up a good scorer too making it six total.

It's not likely all those guys end up as projected/hoped, but it is encouraging to see us with 5 legit top 6 prospects and a bunch of other with legit, but less likely shots as well.

 

[Liminality]

They can't be worse than last year that's literally impossible

Not saying they'll be worse in the standings obviously, it'll be worse on the fan base because they'll actually have some expectations to try and improve. We're not expecting playoffs or anything but we're expecting development to start now and trying to watch the kids improve without tunnel visioning on one cold streak or hot streak.

Just saying what I expect to happen. If some of our prospects are not developing in a constant linear fashion, we'll see some of the fans turn on them and either put them under a microscope or want to get rid of them altogether.
(even though that happens on a nightly basis anyways)

 

[Bluelines]

There's still pain coming. The hardest parts will be watching the highly touted kids - the ones who are supposed to lead the team to success - go through the growing pains of the NHL.

..but isn't that also entertaining, watching these gifted offensive prospects learn defence under Babcock, sure they can score but can they play a game that wont have Babcock wanting to bench 18 players every night.

It will also be interesting to see which vets are leaders and which ones are selfish brats..

 

[Bluelines]

Who are the 5 6 kids who will score big time in this league that Babcock is talkingoing about ? The big 3 are obvious but who are the other 2 3?

Guessing
Matthews
Nylander
Marner

Soshnikov
Kapanen
Brown

 

[LeafFever]

If any of the big 3 flop, yikes.

There's no yikes. If one or more stinks next year we get another top pick.

 

[FreshFitted67]

I don't think any of the big 3 are going to flop. All three of them have tremendous talent and pedigree. They are all, at the very least, legitimate quality nhlers. And it's quite possible they are much more than that. The only one who may have semi-serious issues adjusting next year is Marner (because of his size and no pro exp), but, IMO he's got enough talent to overcome any initial struggles.

I don't know who Babcock meant about 5 or 6 guys who are going to score... it's interesting to speculate though...

IMO I wouldn't include Kapanen on any list of guaranteed good scorers at the NHL level. I've never seen enough consistency, or ability to create his own chances to get really high on the guy. I know he's scored some nice goals, and some big goals, but I don't think he's a lock to be a good scorer.

IMO Babcock might be referring to Carrick as one of those 5 or 6 guys. He's displayed quite a bit of offensive prowess, and scored a few points at the NHL level too. More than Kapanen imo..