Prediction Contest: Toronto Maple Leafs 2018-2019: Contender or Pretender?

[PromisedLand]

A lot of talk recently on this forum; about players getting booed; team not solid while others think underlying stats are good and it is only a matter of time. Cannot gauge what majority of the fans think at least on HF - Hence the Poll

What are the playoff predictions for this season?

1. Leafs are contenders - that will contend for the cup
2. Leafs will have a deep playoff run at least ECF
3. Leafs are pretenders but will at least make it to the 2nd round
4. Leafs will have another first round exit
5. Leafs will not qualify for the playoffs

At least, after voting one would have an idea as to what majority of Leafs fans (at least on HF) think about this season

Click to read more...

 

[HamiltonNHL]

Are we playing Boston first round again ?

 

[PromisedLand]

Are we playing Boston first round again ?

Odds:

60% chance they play Boston
20% Habs
10% Sabres
7% Caps
2.5% Tampa
0.5% miss playoffs

P.S. These odds are guesses; not based on any kind of model

 

[Budz22]

Habs and Bruins back one point. We’re a wildcard team.

 

[Nineteen67]

Leafs should make the playoffs....those remaining games with Mtl and Buffalo might just decide positioning.
The Leafs have a bunch of games in the last few week. I think it’s three or four weeks that they’ll play four games in the week and there are a few back to backs. That alone makes me think it’s going to be very hard to duplicated the first half point totals.

The goal was to win a round this year, but that’ll difficult without a few changes to the lineup.

I think they’ll win a round.

 

[Ports]

Leafs should make the playoffs....those remaining games with Mtl and Buffalo might just decide positioning.
The Leafs have a bunch of games in the last few week. I think it’s three or four weeks that they’ll play four games in the week and there are a few back to backs. That alone makes me think it’s going to be very hard to duplicated the first half point totals.

The goal was to win a round this year, but that’ll difficult without a few changes to the lineup.

I think they’ll win a round.

Was the goal to only win one round after a 105 point season? I would have thought their goal was to win the division and go deep into the playoffs. I don’t see that happning now with the way Tampa is playing but the way they started the season ...

 

[Nineteen67]

Was the goal to only win one round after a 105 point season? I would have thought their goal was to win the division and go deep into the playoffs. I don’t see that happning now with the way Tampa is playing but the way they started the season ...

105 points means nothing in the 3 point world.
Perhaps I should word it this way; winning a round would be considered a successful season. Losing in the first round would be OK, not making the playoffs would be considered a slight step back.

 

[hfman]

they are not a contender in any way shape or form

this will not be the year just yet. still a ways to go

 

[Ports]

105 points means nothing in the 3 point world.
Perhaps I should word it this way; winning a round would be considered a successful season. Losing in the first round would be OK, not making the playoffs would be considered a slight step back.

I expect more and I’m sure losing in the first round for the third year in a row would not be acceptable to them either. With this much talent, they need to show that they can win in the playoffs.

 

[Nineteen67]

I expect more and I’m sure losing in the first round for the third year in a row would not be acceptable to them either. With this much talent, they need to show that they can win in the playoffs.

The problem is the other teams have talent as well. Of the possible likely first round matchups I’d rate their chances of winning

1Boston 50/50
2 columbus 50/50
3 Wash 40/60
4 Pitt 30/70
5 TPA 20/80

I don’t think they’d get Montreal Buff or the Isles.

 

[Buds17]

Going by the poll options, I'd say pretender. Think they'll move forward and make it to the 2nd round. That would still be a step ahead compared to last year, even if it's not as much of one as hoped for.

 

[Mr Hockey]

Tampa, Caps and possibly the Pens will be tough to beat, I think we have great chance to beat the rest

 

[ITM]

Neither.

 

[Nineteen67]

Neither.

Disintegrate?

 

[alliuk12]

This team will go nowhere in the playoffs if they make it to the playoffs at all

 

[forecheck]

Poorly constructed team with a thin D and soft. 1st round exit ( if they even make the playoffs?)

 

[Lauro]

2nd round, step by step. Maybe ECF. They will be good when it matters!

 

[WilliamInLondon]

an equally interesting poll would be, "what is the minimum that the Leafs would have to achieve for you to define their season as successful?"

for me personally, three things*:

- win round 1
- go down swinging in round 2
- no fluke wins, but show legitimate growth from the core/key players that they've taken another step in the playoffs this year.





* - assuming that the roster stays intact. if the future is mortgaged for win-now mode, then expectations will increase accordingly. if Gardiner is dealt for assets whose sum of contributions is less than Gardiner, my expectations above remain the same - fair or not.

 

[Nineteen67]

an equally interesting poll would be, "what is the minimum that the Leafs would have to achieve for you to define their season as successful?"

for me personally, three things*:

- win round 1
- go down swinging in round 2
- no fluke wins, but show legitimate growth from the core/key players that they've taken another step in the playoffs this year.





* - assuming that the roster stays intact. if the future is mortgaged for win-now mode, then expectations will increase accordingly. if Gardiner is dealt for assets whose sum of contributions is less than Gardiner, my expectations above remain the same - fair or not.

With the way the schedule sets up for them in the 2nd half getting home ice would also be considered a successful season. They played OK in the first half but if they want to finish at least 2nd they’ll have to play a lot better which would show some improvement.
Now if the rest of the division caves and they sneak into 2nd then I won’t necessarily say they improved.

 

[Spirit of 67]

They're contenders.

Regardless of how the playoffs play out.

 

[SprDaVE]

I went with contenders because.... Why not.

 

[GoonieFace]

Its hard to say. They have the talent to be contenders, but ultimately I think the personnel needs some changes to be a true contender in the playoffs.

 

[18leafsfan18]

Its hard to say. They have the talent to be contenders, but ultimately I think the personnel needs some changes to be a true contender in the playoffs.

Like experience maybe... Like every other Stanley Cup Champion ?

 

[rumman]

I'm not sure this team can win a round in the playoffs against a team like Boston. The D needs major work, the stretch pass breakout has been a mistake, and the compete level is lacking in many players. All's not doom and gloom though, the Leafs have some players with huge potential, but they have many holes to fill, another 1st round exit might actually help the team address said holes, it's not like they can ignore them is it?

 

[GoonieFace]

Like experience maybe... Like every other Stanley Cup Champion ?

I was referring to their lack of toughness and some players unwillingness to compete. This will be the 3rd playoffs for these guys, so they are gaining experience, I just don't think they have the right make-up to be a true contender.