Post by xx - Former Bulldozers on Apr 8, 2017 23:14:23 GMT -5
So I wrote an article a couple of days ago as to why I thought the Leafs would make the playoffs. And I wrote it before the the Leafs played the Sabres so the stats are a bit wrong but the theme sort of foreshadowed what would happen in order for the Leafs to clinch a playoff spot.
My article:
Why the Toronto Maple Leafs are Shoe-ins for the Playoffs
Michael Joubran
If you asked any Toronto Maple Leafs fan back in October if they thought the Leafs would make it to the playoffs, the answer you would receive is no. But here we are with just a couple of games left in the season and the Leafs are sitting in 3rd of the Atlantic division with a 4 point gap between them and the Tampa Bay Lighting, who are currently out of a playoff position. One reason for that is the depth that they have up front. They are the only team in the NHL to have 6 players with 50 or more points but the biggest reason so far for the Leafs success this season is: Rookies. Currently they have 7 rookies in their lineup (8 over the whole season) with three of them being superstars in the making.
THE TOP 3
Auston Matthews (drafted 1st overall, 2016) has not only lived up to the expectations but has surpassed them faster than Connor McDavid can skate. He currently has 66 points in 77 games but his most impressive stat is his 38 goals in that time span. He has beaten Wendel Clark’s record set back in 1985-86 season for most goals scored by a Leafs rookie (was 35), he has tied the most game winning goals by a Leafs rookie with his 8th game winning goal scored against the Detroit Red Wings on April 1st, and he has tied Neal Broten’s record for most goals scored by an American born rookie (38). But his biggest record was completed in his NHL debut when he scored 4 goals in his first NHL game, the only player to do that in the modern era of the NHL (1967-present). If all of that doesn’t win him the Calder Trophy, he’s also 1 goal away from tying Sidney Crosby’s 39 goals he put up in his rookie campaign. My money is on him for being named the next Leafs captain.
Mitch Marner (drafted 4th overall, 2015) was doubted by many fans to even make the Leafs roster this season and yet 77 games into the season (he missed 5 of them with an upper body injury) he is tied for second on the Leafs with William Nylander with 59 points and leads them and all NHL rookies in assists with 41 which is a Leafs record for more assists by a Leafs rookie. On top of that he has excelled on a line with James Van Riemsdyk and Tyer Bozak. He has replaced Phil Kessel on that line and boy has he done a good job at it. Marner has amazing speed and is able to stop on a dime. His 5’11 stature and his quick hands allow him to squeeze through the opponent and set up some amazing plays.
William Nylander (drafted 8th overall, 2014), the final of the 3 superstars, has excelled on a line with Auston Matthews and at times with Nazem Kadri. Nylander has 59 points on the season and, as the other two top rookies have done, has broken a Leafs record for most consecutive games with at least a point (12). His elite playmaking ability meshed with Matthews’ elite shot makes for a deadly combo when these two play together. Nylander also leads the Leafs and all NHL rookies in power play points with 25. In any other year Nylander would have a strong case for the Calder Trophy but this year his name has hardly been brought up.
THE OTHER GUYS
Connor Brown (drafted 156th overall, 2012) has put all of his critics to bed. 35 points in 77 games Brown has had a very strong rookie campaign. If the “big 3” weren’t on the Leafs he’d be a fan favourite but instead he is left in the shadows of them which may not be a bad thing at all. As a rookie you don’t want pressure and clearly not having any pressure on him has been working out perfectly for him. He is a key penalty killer for the Leafs (8th in the NHL) and as a rookie you wouldn’t expect him to be given that responsibility but he has been and he has done an excellent job at it. Playing alongside of Kadri or Matthews sometimes doesn’t hurt as well.
Zach Hyman (drafted 123rd overall, 2010) was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs two summers ago which saw Greg McKegg (such a beautiful name) headed to the Florida Panthers in return and that has been a big trade for the Leafs. Hyman is a key piece for the Leafs penalty kill and is the 3rd member of the “all rookie line” with Matthews and Nylander. He adds grit to the lineup and brings in a great work ethic to the Leafs locker room. He currently has 28 points in 77 games and that may not look as great as the others but he is destined to be a 3rd line forward who kills penalties. He is a perfect fit for this Leafs squad that Lou Lamiorello and Brenden Shanahan have assembled.
Nikita Zaitsev (signed as a free agent, 2016) was a great acquisition for the Leafs this summer. He was brought in to play top 4 minutes and he has done just that. Playing alongside of Morgan Rielly or Jake Gardiner has helped his transition to North America be nice and smooth. While he is 25, his age still fits in perfectly with the core of this team. He currently has 35 points in 77 games and as a rookie defenseman I am, as are most Leafs fans, very happy with those numbers. While he does make a few mistakes every couple of games, which is expected as he gets used to playing in the NHL, his play on the power play and his big saves in important moments of the game make up for it.
Frederick Gauthier (drafted 21st overall, 2013) played in 21 games with the big boys this year, posting 3 points in that time span. Destined to be a bottom six center, and a penalty killer for the team Gauthier showed Leafs fans what he can bring to the table and, after seeing him play for 21 games this season, I would say that next season or the season after he should be ready to play in the NHL full time. Otherwise, he has been a key member of the Toronto Marlies’ easy ride to a playoff spot.
Kasperi Kapanen (drafted 22nd overall, 2014) has been a point per game player in the AHL this season. He was acquired in the Phil Kessel trade back in the 2015 offseason that saw Phil Kessel head to Pittsburgh in exchange for Kapanen and other pieces. Kapanen was called up from the Marlies on March 27th and has played in 3 games this season with the Leafs. In those 3 games he has 0 points and has the same results in 9 games played with the team last year. He has shown his speed and quick maneuvers and with some more training he should be ready for full time work in the NHL next season. Also playing on the 4th line doesn’t do him any favours in the points category.
Some other key players this year for the Leafs, who are not rookies, are Nazem Kadri, who has 30 goals and 58 points, James Van Riemsdyk, who has 57 points, Tyler Bozak who has 50 points, Jake Gardiner, who has 39 points, and Morgan Rielly, who has 27 points. The MVP of this team though is Frederik Andersen who, after a shaky start, has been one of the best goalies in the league this season and has given Toronto a chance to win, finally.
My article:
Why the Toronto Maple Leafs are Shoe-ins for the Playoffs
Michael Joubran
If you asked any Toronto Maple Leafs fan back in October if they thought the Leafs would make it to the playoffs, the answer you would receive is no. But here we are with just a couple of games left in the season and the Leafs are sitting in 3rd of the Atlantic division with a 4 point gap between them and the Tampa Bay Lighting, who are currently out of a playoff position. One reason for that is the depth that they have up front. They are the only team in the NHL to have 6 players with 50 or more points but the biggest reason so far for the Leafs success this season is: Rookies. Currently they have 7 rookies in their lineup (8 over the whole season) with three of them being superstars in the making.
THE TOP 3
Auston Matthews (drafted 1st overall, 2016) has not only lived up to the expectations but has surpassed them faster than Connor McDavid can skate. He currently has 66 points in 77 games but his most impressive stat is his 38 goals in that time span. He has beaten Wendel Clark’s record set back in 1985-86 season for most goals scored by a Leafs rookie (was 35), he has tied the most game winning goals by a Leafs rookie with his 8th game winning goal scored against the Detroit Red Wings on April 1st, and he has tied Neal Broten’s record for most goals scored by an American born rookie (38). But his biggest record was completed in his NHL debut when he scored 4 goals in his first NHL game, the only player to do that in the modern era of the NHL (1967-present). If all of that doesn’t win him the Calder Trophy, he’s also 1 goal away from tying Sidney Crosby’s 39 goals he put up in his rookie campaign. My money is on him for being named the next Leafs captain.
Mitch Marner (drafted 4th overall, 2015) was doubted by many fans to even make the Leafs roster this season and yet 77 games into the season (he missed 5 of them with an upper body injury) he is tied for second on the Leafs with William Nylander with 59 points and leads them and all NHL rookies in assists with 41 which is a Leafs record for more assists by a Leafs rookie. On top of that he has excelled on a line with James Van Riemsdyk and Tyer Bozak. He has replaced Phil Kessel on that line and boy has he done a good job at it. Marner has amazing speed and is able to stop on a dime. His 5’11 stature and his quick hands allow him to squeeze through the opponent and set up some amazing plays.
William Nylander (drafted 8th overall, 2014), the final of the 3 superstars, has excelled on a line with Auston Matthews and at times with Nazem Kadri. Nylander has 59 points on the season and, as the other two top rookies have done, has broken a Leafs record for most consecutive games with at least a point (12). His elite playmaking ability meshed with Matthews’ elite shot makes for a deadly combo when these two play together. Nylander also leads the Leafs and all NHL rookies in power play points with 25. In any other year Nylander would have a strong case for the Calder Trophy but this year his name has hardly been brought up.
THE OTHER GUYS
Connor Brown (drafted 156th overall, 2012) has put all of his critics to bed. 35 points in 77 games Brown has had a very strong rookie campaign. If the “big 3” weren’t on the Leafs he’d be a fan favourite but instead he is left in the shadows of them which may not be a bad thing at all. As a rookie you don’t want pressure and clearly not having any pressure on him has been working out perfectly for him. He is a key penalty killer for the Leafs (8th in the NHL) and as a rookie you wouldn’t expect him to be given that responsibility but he has been and he has done an excellent job at it. Playing alongside of Kadri or Matthews sometimes doesn’t hurt as well.
Zach Hyman (drafted 123rd overall, 2010) was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs two summers ago which saw Greg McKegg (such a beautiful name) headed to the Florida Panthers in return and that has been a big trade for the Leafs. Hyman is a key piece for the Leafs penalty kill and is the 3rd member of the “all rookie line” with Matthews and Nylander. He adds grit to the lineup and brings in a great work ethic to the Leafs locker room. He currently has 28 points in 77 games and that may not look as great as the others but he is destined to be a 3rd line forward who kills penalties. He is a perfect fit for this Leafs squad that Lou Lamiorello and Brenden Shanahan have assembled.
Nikita Zaitsev (signed as a free agent, 2016) was a great acquisition for the Leafs this summer. He was brought in to play top 4 minutes and he has done just that. Playing alongside of Morgan Rielly or Jake Gardiner has helped his transition to North America be nice and smooth. While he is 25, his age still fits in perfectly with the core of this team. He currently has 35 points in 77 games and as a rookie defenseman I am, as are most Leafs fans, very happy with those numbers. While he does make a few mistakes every couple of games, which is expected as he gets used to playing in the NHL, his play on the power play and his big saves in important moments of the game make up for it.
Frederick Gauthier (drafted 21st overall, 2013) played in 21 games with the big boys this year, posting 3 points in that time span. Destined to be a bottom six center, and a penalty killer for the team Gauthier showed Leafs fans what he can bring to the table and, after seeing him play for 21 games this season, I would say that next season or the season after he should be ready to play in the NHL full time. Otherwise, he has been a key member of the Toronto Marlies’ easy ride to a playoff spot.
Kasperi Kapanen (drafted 22nd overall, 2014) has been a point per game player in the AHL this season. He was acquired in the Phil Kessel trade back in the 2015 offseason that saw Phil Kessel head to Pittsburgh in exchange for Kapanen and other pieces. Kapanen was called up from the Marlies on March 27th and has played in 3 games this season with the Leafs. In those 3 games he has 0 points and has the same results in 9 games played with the team last year. He has shown his speed and quick maneuvers and with some more training he should be ready for full time work in the NHL next season. Also playing on the 4th line doesn’t do him any favours in the points category.
Some other key players this year for the Leafs, who are not rookies, are Nazem Kadri, who has 30 goals and 58 points, James Van Riemsdyk, who has 57 points, Tyler Bozak who has 50 points, Jake Gardiner, who has 39 points, and Morgan Rielly, who has 27 points. The MVP of this team though is Frederik Andersen who, after a shaky start, has been one of the best goalies in the league this season and has given Toronto a chance to win, finally.
Have 9 points in celebration of this monumental achievement!