Looking at the Leafs Potential Future

I don't think I need to remind anyone for a millionth time, that the Leafs will get a good draft pick. So in this blog I am going to talk about potential draft players that the Leafs might get a chance to pick, excluding Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel. Lets start get started.

Dylan Strome

Dylan is the younger brother of New York Islanders prospect Ryan Strome, hailing from right here in Mississauga, Ontario. Dylan is a big centre, which every team in the league craves and has 124 points (41G, 81A) in 67 games for the Erie Otters this season. He had a 6-point game tonight winning him the OHL scoring title. Strome will most likely get drafted at the number 3 spot in the draft, and would be considered for the first overall pick in this draft had it not been for generational players like McDavid and Eichel. Leafs would love to get their hands on a player like this to stock up the pantry along with other young prospects William Nylander and former Otter teammate Connor Brown.

Noah Hanifin

The best defensive player in this years draft is NCAA player Noah Hanifin from the Boston University Terriers. Hanifin played for team USA at the world juniors this year and looked poised beyond his years for what was known as a disappointing year for the team. Hanifin is 6’3”, 185 lbs, and has 5 goals and 18 assists in 36 games for the Terriers this season. A big defenseman like that could be beneficial for the Leafs future, especially if they plan on moving out Dion Phaneuf. A prospect like that along with a young Morgan Rielly could be the start of a cornerstone defensive pairing for the team.

Lawson Crouse

A left wing from Mt. Brydges, Ontario, Lawson has 51 pts in 55 games for the Kingston Frontenacs this season. The unique thing about this highly skilled player is that he is not afraid to drop the gloves and defend his teammates when in need. In fact he Leafs his team in PIM. Known to be very mature beyond his age and was a surprise invite to team Canada’s world junior selection camp. His character and leadership are definitely something the Leafs lack, and could be a future leader for the blue and white.

One thing's for sure, unless the Leafs go completely off the board, they are almost guaranteed one of these players. In such a deep draft, Leafs fans can't wait to get this season done with and move on with one of these future stars.

What is to come?

As the season is winding down, I wanted to blog about what I predict will happen for the Toronto Maple Leafs in terms of management, coach, and players. In a season that started with hope, just like they all do, we all know how it is ending and that is in disappointment for not only everyone on the Leafs side of things, but more importantly the fans.

Lets start at the top. GM Dave Nonis has been the type of General Manager to claim to only make changes that make sense for the team. He has not made trades just for the sake of making trades. Sometimes as a fan we want to see change, but we got to remember we don't want other teams taking advantage of our frail situation. With Leafs president Brendan Shanahan witnessing first hand possibly the worst season in Leafs history, many wonder if he will start fresh next year with a new GM, or if he believes in what Dave Nonis has to offer. I personally think that since most decisions that Nonis makes need approval from Shanahan and get talked about collectively with the assistant managers, I wouldn't be surprised if he gets to stick around a while longer. At the same time, I wouldn't be surprised to see him let go. It could really go either way.

Moving on to the coach next. Peter Horachek was thrown into a pretty decent situation, as the Leafs were in a playoff spot when the somewhat surprising firing of Randy Carlyle took place. Since Horachek’s promotion to head coach, the Leafs have only won 6/33 games. Now you can't pin it all on Horachek, and management didn't like the way things were headed with Carlyle, I simply cannot see the team playing that bad had they not fired Carlyle. Peter Horachek is only an interim head coach so he will be replaced in the off-season. You can sense his frustration with the team’s lack of effort but ultimately this slide will be associated with him forever, and after not much success in his short time head coaching the Florida Panthers, it will be hard to picture Horachek in a head coaching role ever again.

As for the roster players on the Leafs, most fans have their opinion. The way I see it is that a player like Phaneuf will have better success on a playoff contender, but its hard to fit is 7 million dollar salary on a good team. Kessel has always been a fan favourite since his arrival, but we wonder if he’s truly happy with all the pressure and scrutiny that comes in the Toronto Market. He could yield back major assets for the future, and I would be all for that. The only players I would deem untouchable is Morgan Rielly and perhaps Nazem Kadri, who has had a rough go lately, but I still see upside.

Winning

My sister won tickets to see a Leafs game a few weeks ago through Ford #fansgofurther, who have been giving away tickets to home games all season. When she won, although the Leafs were already on the downslide, a part of me was still jealous because I know how much I enjoy the experience of a Leafs game at the Air Canada Centre, win or lose. She was going with her boyfriend because she used his twitter to enter him in the contest. Thursday morning I woke up and checked my twitter, which I use to follow sports writers, analysts, and insiders. I saw the Ford tweet to enter the contest to win tickets so I thought hell, I’ll enter. I tweeted a photo with the hashtag to Ford, and I had a feeling for some odd reason that I would win. I sent a throwback picture of me and my sister decked out in our Leafs gear supporting the team back in their long playoff run in 2002. Since it was also Thursday, the “Throwback Thursday” theme also fit well. Half an hour later I get a direct message from the lady who runs the Ford fan twitter and I had won tickets to see the Leafs take on the Sharks.

Under usual circumstances I would take my dad to the game, however given the situation the Leafs are in at this point in the season, and the fact I take my dad all the time, I decided to bring my friend Owen instead. We always talked about going to a game together and how much fun we would have so we were both pretty stoked to go. As hockey fans, we looked at the bigger picture and were eager to see some big name players on the San Jose side of things too, like Joe Thornton. Despite the 4-1 loss, we ended up having a good time. After a few of the expensive domestic beers the ACC has to offer, we were in the mix and talking to a guy who travelled from California to watch his team play in the centre of the hockey universe. This was my 4^th Leaf game of the season, and look to go to many more next year.

By the way, here is the throwback picture I mentioned..

Kadri Suspended – Leafs Lose Back to Back Out West

I haven't blogged in a little while, due to reading week so lets get caught up on a little bit of Maple Leafs news that has taken place over the last two weeks.

Nazem Kadri was a healthy scratch earlier in the week due to being late for practice on Tuesday morning. Now everyone thought with the time change maybe Kadri forgot to adjust his alarm, this however would be pretty irresponsible because head coach Peter Horachek reminded the team of daylight savings the night before, but we are all human. Some players around the league were surprised to hear of the healthy scratching, and some weren't. At any rate, more news would unfold the following morning before Wednesday's contest against the Buffalo Sabres. Leafs president Brendan Shanahan made a rare announcement after the Leafs morning skate stating that Kadri would not only be a healthy scratch, but will be suspended for the following two games as well. This sent the media and Leafs nation into a frenzy of what possibly could have happened with Kadri. Shanahan didn't go into detail about what Kadri did, but said “Nazem has a lot of growing up to do”. Kadri denied to comment to the media until Fridays morning skate where he mentioned how it was a wake up call and how he was very embarrassed. Who knows if we'll find out what really happened with Kadri, however it just adds another plot line to the most disastrous season in Leafs history.

The season could not end any faster for the Leafs, and even though it is better for them to lose at this point, as a die-hard fan it is still difficult to see them play with no effort or passion. Anyways, the Leafs lost to the young red-hot surprising Calgary Flames Friday night, and surrendered four goals in a brutal first period. Last nights effort wasn't much better going down 3-0 to the Vancouver Canucks by the end of the second period, and ended up losing the contest 4-1.

Leafs Win Against Jets Saturday – Who Is On The Move? – Rielly Stepping Up

It has been known for a few weeks now that the Maple Leafs are not making the playoffs this year (surprise surprise) which now means in such a deep draft year the hope of every Leafs fan is for them to topple down the standings in order to get the highest pick in the draft possible.

Saturday night in Toronto the Leafs took on the Winnipeg Jets in spirited effort by both clubs with James Van Riemsdyk potting the winner in overtime. Now although this may be a bummer for Leafs Nation that the team won, the simple fact is that with 23 games remaining in the season, there will be some wins here and there. Leo Komarov started the night for the Leafs with a top corner blast short-handed to take the lead in what ended up being a 4-3 win. Still no Dion Phaneuf back in the lineup but is slated to make his return from Injury Thursday night against the Philadelphia Flyers.

With the March 2^nd trade deadline nearing, many names have been tossed into the mix of who could be on the move next for the Leafs. Big names like Joffrey Lupul, Dion Phaneuf, Phil Kessel, and Tyler Bozak have been heard in rumours for weeks, but it is the likes of depth player Daniel Winnik to be on the move next. Many teams have shown interest in the surprising Winnik, having been one of the best players on the Leafs roster during the great downfall this year. The Maple Leafs are most likely hoping for a 2^nd round pick as well as a prospect in exchange for Winnik, with teams like the Winnipeg Jets and Pittsburg Penguins interested in acquiring his services.

Another one of the bright spots during this brutal season for the Leafs has been their youngest defenseman Morgan Rielly. Head coach Peter Horachek has definitely taken confidence in the 20 year old, and Rielly has rolled with it. Rielly has been on the ice a lot during the last few games, over 25 minutes in the last 3 contests, which is usually reserved for the leagues best. No doubt that ice time will fall when team captain Dion Phaneuf returns on Thursday, but it just goes to show the trust that Horachek has in Rielly, who has shown flashes of brilliance. Fans and Insiders believe although no player seems untouchable on Toronto right now, Morgan Rielly is one player you want sticking around for a long time.