August Question - Leafs and playoffs: two words that don't belong together?

So whaduya think? Is it finally time for the battle of Ontario to begin anew? or at least for Leaf fans to taste post-season excitement again?

I'll give this a whirl, but I lost a nice bet last year vouching for these guys - and now I see a team that's frankly just about the same.

Pros:

- I like Bozak a lot, this guy is a player, but is he a top line center for Kessel and Versteeg?

- I think Kessel being able to take the full pre-season + summer workouts + being with the team from the beginning will have a positive effect on his game

- Versteeg was an excellent pick up - even if it cost them Stalberg.

- I really like Kulemin, he reminds me a little of a slightly better developed Regin.

- I wasn't really here nor there on the Phaneuf trade, I thought Toronto gave up way too much personally, but I think this is gonna be a heck of a year for Dion. If I was a betting man, I'd say 40+ points and his defensive game improves.

- I like the Leafs tandem in net more than I like the Habs or the Sens in net. Obviously in the NE the Bruins and Sabres kill them, but the name of the game here will be beating teams in the division and conference.

- Beauchemin really doesn't suck - although he tried his best last year - he should rebound well

Cons:

-I dislike Komisarek as a player - and I HATE his contract for the Leafs (love it as a Sens fan)

-I think the Colby Armstrong signing was a dumb, dumb move. These are the guys you NEED to farm, not pay 3 million for. He's a third liner at best.

- No top line center again? Really? Okay then.

-I dislike Grabovski as a player very, very much. I'm not sure why, but I dislike a lot of the softness, the showboating, I just dislike him. And @ 3 million, there's a lot to dislike. I notcied him give up on a lot of plays last year as well, I'm surprised Wilson didn't kill him...

-...Wilson is a horrible coach. He might have had some success in SJ with a fairly stacked team, but I hate the smug bastard and I dislike his style of coaching and his systems.

- Jeff Finger sucks or if he's okay, he's worth 1.1-1.5 TOPS

- Luke Schenn was rushed and he's being coached by an imbecile = big problems. Hopefully (for Leaf fans) he progresses instead of digressing again.

- Scoring will be an issue - even more so if they trade Kaberle - regardless of who comes back. The top 6 is soft and barely skilled (aside from Kessel, Versteeg, Bozak). They have the makings of one good line and the rest is so unbelievably ho-hum

- Lack of effective puck movers will hinder the Leafs scoring even more.




Final thought (pre-Kaberle trade or no trade): They might think they improved - and they very well might have - but so has everyone else in the East. No deal Mr. Bond, no playoffs for the Leafs. Still a ton of holes to fill and very little money to fill them.

this may seem bad, but I'm hoping they can return to the playoffs. It'll bring that magic back to the battle of ontario, and who knows....when both are in, they somehow find a way to face each other. I can't wait for the sens to FINALLY get that monkey off their back....and then onto the cup. That would be my dream

in terms of this season though, I don't think they can make it, but I do finally expect them to be back in the hunt rather than 15th spot. I see them competing with the likes of Carolina, Tampa, Islanders, Habs, Rangers, and Thrashers for the last two spots. They'll come close, but this won't be their season. I think the year after, they'll make a solid UFA addition (finally at center....jumbo joe perhaps) and kadri will be a year older with bozak and schenn and guss. They're in for sure 2012.

Toronto is in a group of about 8 teams fighting for the last 2 spots. If they get a good deal on Kaberle, and more importantly learn special teams, they could get in. My vote would still be in the 10-12 range.

leafs don't make the playoffs but they'll improve in the standings.

I can't really say much about the Leafs that hasn't already been said, but I'm pretty sure the opposite of progress is regress.

Teams like ATL and TBL have done far, far more to improve. Leafs will be in right for a top 10 finish, never mind a top 8.

No shot TOR makes the playoffs this year, none.

If a team with Phaneuf as Captain makes the Playoffs, I'll ROFL

Joking aside, if they have a good beginning of the season with good goaltending, I think they'll make it.
I think they were killed by that first game against Montreal last year where they completely dominated and got beat in OT by a fluke (not sure about that one) goal. From then, the team fell appart confidence wise, explained by the 3rd period breakdowns and the horrific bad goals given every game by the goalies.
From what I've seen of the 20+ Leafs games, their players have the drive and desire, so if they gain huge confidence from the begining of the season, they could roll.
Otherwise, it's gonna be a repeat of last year.

I will not rest until we beat the Leafs in the Playoffs on our way to winning The Cup. It must be done so we can shut their Cussing yappers once and for all.

i'll tell you two other words that will/should never be associated EVER again

Leafs and Cup.

shabbs wrote:I will not rest until we beat the Leafs in the Playoffs on our way to winning The Cup. It must be done so we can shut their Cussing yappers once and for all.

how do I +200 you for this?? I hope they can do it before alfie retires. Though once Kaberle is gone, I don't think there's another member on the leafs that's experienced a true battle of ontario