The first month of the Toronto Maple Leafs season is in the books, having played 10 games and compiling a record of 4-3-3 for 11 points. Right now, that’s good enough for tenth place in the East. The four wins this year, beats the total of three from last year after the ten game mark.
Picking up points in 7 out of 10 games isn’t too bad either, and have earned 11 out of a possible 20 points. For a team that wasn’t expected to do much, have shown that they can at least compete on a regular basis. That’s what this Leafs edition is all about.
The Leafs may be a -7 in the goals for (26)/goals against (33) category, but have won games on the strength of good defence. They don’t give up in any game and no matter what the score, and battle to the end. There is plenty of evidence of that, if you look at the latest game the Leafs played in New Jersey against the Devils.
They were down 2-0 early in the game, and battled back for the lead, 3-2. They did lose the lead, 4-3, but came back again, 5-4. The Leafs ultimately won the game 6-5 in a shoot-out. There was also another game versus the Anaheim Ducks in Toronto, where the Leafs were down early again 2-0. They fought back to tie the game, but lost 3-2 in the shoot-out. Then there was the game in Boston versus the Bruins. Again, they found themselves down 2-0, but won the game 4-2.
Even in the games they have lost, they were really never out of a few of them.
The more amazing thing is, the Leafs don’t have a ‘go to’ goal scorer. There leading scorer is Nik Antropov with four goals, and the next highest totals are Matt Stajan and Alex Ponikarovsky with three each. Everyone has chipped in and contributed the best they can. The best offensive player on the team is Niklas Hagman. The stats would make you think otherwise, but this Finn brings it every night and plays like a Canadian kid.
Then there are some players who just can’t get it right. I think it is safe to say the new Public Enemy No. 1 is now Jason Blake, who has taken over those reigns from Bryan McCabe with ease. Jason Blake can’t even buy a goal or score for the life of him. He only has one goal and three assists on the year, and to top that off has a success rate of 2.7% on 38 shots. He is the Leafs’ leading shooter, with all his soft wristers from the blue line, which flutter towards the goalie like a butterfly, or a bag caught in the wind. This guy seriously needs to get the boot out of Toronto.
Another player that really needs to step it up, and who was expected to, is Alex Steen. After an 18 goal rookie campaign, his numbers have steadily dropped off. This year is no different, as he has only scored once, which came in the latest game versus New Jersey, and has 3 points on the year, with a -2 rating.
Overall, the Leafs have had a good start to this 2008-2009 NHL season, and it shows that the team has bought into Ron Wilson’s coaching system. The preaching of defence is the strongest voice in the locker room, and that is how the 4 wins were achieved. We Leaf fans shouldn’t get to comfortable with the record or expect a 40 win season. Remember there are still 72 games left in the season. This Leafs team still doesn’t have ‘it’ to be a great team, because right now they are at an ‘okay’ status.
One telling sign that could explain all this is the Leafs defence corps. The Leafs this season have already dressed eight defencemen, and only two of them have a rating on the plus side. Those players are Anton Stralman (+3) and Mike Van Ryn (+2). And too add Mike Van Ryn has been a pleasant surprise this year with his solid game and leads all Leafs defenders with 2 goals and 4 assists.
The other six defencemen have a combined -19 rating. Those players are Tomas Kaberle (-2), Pavel Kubina (-6), Jonas Frogren (-5), Luke Schenn (-4), Jeff Finger (even) and Carlo Colaiacovo (-2). Those numbers right there aren’t so pleasing, but that’s the way things might go, and those numbers could only grow.
One of the worst things that could come from this is how Luke Schenn might react. He is only 19, what if he ends the season with a -45 rating? That could kill any players’ confidence. Leafs management believes that this is the best for him to stay in the NHL, but Leafs management hasn’t gotten anything right in the past 42 years. What could make them seem right now? This is complete stupidness.
Another thing, Pavel Kubina flat out sucks and is a piece of shit hockey player, that can’t skate, is too slow, and has shown little to no leadership qualities in his 2 ½ years in Toronto. I am just counting down the days he has left in his contract, which is this and next year.
Don’t expect the Leafs to tank the season for a quality draft pick. That’s what management wants, but the players on this team have pride and dignity.
7 DAY OUTLOOK
Nov. 1 ’08 vs. New York Rangers Nov. 2 ’08 @ Carolina Hurricanes
Nov. 4 ’08 vs. Carolina Hurricanes Nov. 6 ’08 @ Boston Bruins
An Original Six match-up versus the Ranger on Saturday nigh should be exciting. The last game these two teams played ended in 1-0 shoot-out decision for the Rangers at MSG. The Leafs will see the Hurricanes for the first time this season with a home and away series. Will face the Bruins for the second time this year, and the Leafs won the first meeting 4-2 at the TD Bank North Garden.
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