Maple Leafs are better, but are they a playoff team?
- Thread starter cw
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Peter D.
Moderator
If Reimer is the real deal and the team carries it's play from January 1st onwards into the early parts of next season, then yes, this team can be a playoff team. They were one of the better teams down the stretch. A slow start and their usual too little, too late type of play won't cut it.
I have my reservations of Connolly as a 1st line centre, but he's certainly better than the alternative. Similarly, Liles brings a nice punch and Franson helps solidify what is shaping up to be a pretty darn good D corps. I fully expect Phaneuf to have a strong season from the first game of the season.
Will it be enough? I don't know. The two biggest threats who were non-playoff teams to me would be Carolina and New Jersey. And the top 8, you could make an argument that all of them should be in the playoffs again (Montreal seems like the most likely candidate to fall out).
There really is no room for error.
I have my reservations of Connolly as a 1st line centre, but he's certainly better than the alternative. Similarly, Liles brings a nice punch and Franson helps solidify what is shaping up to be a pretty darn good D corps. I fully expect Phaneuf to have a strong season from the first game of the season.
Will it be enough? I don't know. The two biggest threats who were non-playoff teams to me would be Carolina and New Jersey. And the top 8, you could make an argument that all of them should be in the playoffs again (Montreal seems like the most likely candidate to fall out).
There really is no room for error.
Kin
Active member
I think it's going to be pretty rare in this day and age where we look at a team honestly and say "Boy, they really got worse in the off-season". There'll be the odd exception where a team loses a big time free agent or a handful of little ones but for the most part I think everyone will make enough small, incremental changes that, if you're the kind who sees the glass half-full, there'll be reasons to come up with why a team may improve.
The Leafs? Again, I keep thinking it falls back to Reimer. It wouldn't be hard to convince me that a team with the Leafs' forward group missed the playoffs, ditto the defense.
The Leafs? Again, I keep thinking it falls back to Reimer. It wouldn't be hard to convince me that a team with the Leafs' forward group missed the playoffs, ditto the defense.
bustaheims
Well-known member
When I look at most of the teams that I expect to be fighting for the 6-8 spots (which includes the Leafs), I honestly don't see a lot of separating in terms of the overall talent levels of the respective rosters. Yeah, some of the teams have a superior player, an elite goaltender or more recognizable names; some are more top heavy, others more balanced; some have better offence, some more talented defence; but, overall, the talent level among these teams is fairly comparable, which makes it hard to differentiate between them. All it will really take to vault any of these teams into the playoffs is either a career season or two from their forward ranks or their goaltending. At least one, probably 2, of these teams will disappoint or be riddled with injuries or even just lose one critical player long term; others will have important players having disappointing seasons and so on. Some consistency from the skaters and a good season from Reimer, and the Leafs should be able to clinch a playoff spot this season.
maplesyrup
New member
I agree with the feeling that fortunately or unfortunately (depending on how he looks at it) much of out efforts to land a playoff spot falls squarely on Reimer.
Busta Reims said:
Yup, I see that too.
NJ will build off their second half last year. Montreal is always somehow in the mix and if Price has another similar year, they will certainly challenge for a spot. Buffalo made huge strides this summer, and they have Derek Roy returning. Easily one of their top 2-3 players. So, essentially, Roy, Leino, Reghr and Ehrhoff are 4 pretty significant additions. I think, barring injury, they will likely slot in somewhere 5-8. The Rangers obviously added Brad Richards. I don't care what others think, I actually really like their defence. Sauer and Mcdonagh will be sophmores and they both look like real, real good players. MDZ should be able to bounce back. Staal and Girardi are so underrated. And they have a world class goalie.
I hate saying this, but if I had to make a prediction now, I'd say we probably miss out. If we did make it, I think we just squeek in. We are likely somewhere in the 8-10 spot.
Tigger said:
I think the PP has changed quite a bit.
Liles is a significant change and solid PP quarterback. Franson has a BIG shot. Connolly is a much different look up front then what we've seen recently. They change the coaching staff working with the PP as well. 4 rather significant changes. I think this has been addressed about as much as you can expect through any one offseason.
PK, yeah, that's a different story. Haven't really brought in any guys designed to improve the PK other than coaching staff.
Erndog said:
I guess I'm thinking of the whole season and see Liles as a sideways move with Kabs but you're right that Connolly ( if healthy ) and Franson could have some impact on the PP. I think it's hard to say what kind of impact the coaches might have but I feel comfortable saying they're still missing net presence.
pindreamer
New member
I don't see where they are much bigger up front.
If Connolly and Lombardi are healthy enough to play they will help improve the so called top 6.
I don't think defence is an issue, lots of size and talent there.
Goaltending is always the key.
As far as the other teams go I think Washington, Boston, Pittsburgh, Tampa and New Jersey are a pretty safe bet to make the playoffs leaving 3 spots for the other 10 teams, so does that mean a 30% chance?
If Connolly and Lombardi are healthy enough to play they will help improve the so called top 6.
I don't think defence is an issue, lots of size and talent there.
Goaltending is always the key.
As far as the other teams go I think Washington, Boston, Pittsburgh, Tampa and New Jersey are a pretty safe bet to make the playoffs leaving 3 spots for the other 10 teams, so does that mean a 30% chance?
Boston Leaf
New member
Gonna be tough to make the dance
pnjunction
New member
I don't agree that Lombardi and especially Lupul are throwaways as the article suggests. I though Lupul played fairly well last year with lots of energy, on pace for 52 points in his time with the Leafs which isn't great for 4.25M but isn't nothing either. Lombardi has a chance to make a comeback as well.
TheMightyOdin
New member
We have to fight and kick and scratch for every point starting with game 1.
We have to win more of those divisional (4 point) games.
10 game stretches with only 1 or 2 points just can't happen.
We have to win more of those divisional (4 point) games.
10 game stretches with only 1 or 2 points just can't happen.
iwas11in67
Member
We'll make the playoffs if we do one simple thing...pull November and December out of all the calendars around ACC.
pnjunction
New member
Well we can't just get rid of November and December, to compensate we need to go with January-April at ~45 days each.
I think the Leafs could very well make it..Reimer has to be the stopper...If he does the whole team will rally behind him.
I think there will be some surprise teams that won't..Habs ,Rags,etc....Remember when Joseph was signed he made some great stops and the team took off from there.
I think there will be some surprise teams that won't..Habs ,Rags,etc....Remember when Joseph was signed he made some great stops and the team took off from there.
GhostofPotvin29
New member
I think it's safe to assume all of the other teams will improve, while the Leafs will not. New Jersey? They will build off last year's 2nd half. Toronto? MIRAGE.
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