21 Games in; The Leafs are, who we thought they were

Typically, the 20 game mark the NHL season is a benchmark, when a fan bases can start to evaluate the team they watch on a nightly basis, however, in a season full of ups, downs and sometimes lefts and rights, I'm not 100% sure what the Leafs are.

The Leafs have 21 games played, hold a record of 11-8-2, 24 Pts and sit 6th in the conference. Compared to last year at the same mark (13-3-1, 27 Pts) , the Leafs are slightly regressed, in terms of overall record that is. This time last year the Leafs were playing way above their heads, at an unsustainable level for the roster they had.All through the season the analytics crowd was predicting the eventual collapse, which as we all know, occurred in the last stretch of the season where the Leafs went 2-12-0 I'm 14 games. Although they may have a worse W-L record, it is refreshing in the sense that it better indicates where the team is at skill wise. 20 games in to this season and we have already experienced a roller coaster of emotions surrounding this team.

It seems as though every week the Leafs will lose a couple of games, sometimes in miraculous fashion, and the fan base is calling for everyone to be fired, and all the players to be traded, then, almost as if nothing has happened the team will win a few games and just like that the Leafs are headed to the playoffs and everything is right in Leafs nation. Here's the thing with this team, they had been involved in 3 blowout losses, of course headlined by the 9-2 shellacking at the hands of the red hot Nashville Predators, and the 6-2 loss to the bottom dwelling Buffalo Sabres. On the other hand, the Leafs have experienced a few dominating wins, most recently of course when the Leafs Boston Bruined the Boston Bruins 6-1, in a game where Phil Kessel scored 2G and looked phenomenal. The point is, the Leafs aren't as bad as they play when they get blown out, nor are they as good as they play when they are the team doing the blowing out. With all of the ups and downs so far this season, a few players have managed to rise above and maintain a high level of play.

I've eluded to this before, but I'll say it again, as a fan base, we don't realize how lucky we are to have Phil Kessel on our team, and this season he is providing even more evidence that he is an elite player in the NHL. Kessel has 11G, 12A, 23 Pts and has remained in the top 10 in league scoring for most, if not all of the season so far. Kessel, not only looks elite on his own,but he makes another player on the roster look like the number one centre we al know he is not. Whether you like him or dislike him, and despite his lack of defensive ability, Tyler Bozak (8G, 11A, 19Pts) is playing at an even higher level than he was last year, a feat no one thought was possible coming in to this year. Now, this could be in direct relation to the fact Kessel has also upped his level of play this year, regardless Bozak is producing at a pace that will see him have another career year. The final stand out from the first quarter of the season is none other than everyone's favourite family member, uncle Leo. Komarov (2G, 12A, 14pts) has made glorious return to the Leafs this season and has done nothing but impress all year long. Not only with his production (which is higher Nazem Kadri) but his ability to elevate the players he is alongside (David Clarkson) as well as developing some great chemistry with Mike Santorelli, all while continuing to be the hitting machine we have come to know and love (90 in 21GP). As awful as the Leafs defence has looked at times, an honourable mention has to go to Roman Polak, as well as the captain.

  Originally the Leafs were believed to have brought in Stephane Robidas to assist in alleviating some of the pressure from Dion Phaneuf, however, it seems Polak has stepped in to that role, and, in my opinion done an admirable job. Polak (3G, 2A, 5pts) isn't wowing anyone with his point production, or athleticism, but he has been among league leaders in shot blocks (51) and hits (83) and often times has lead the Leafs in ice time. When Polak isn't leading the Leafs defence in ice time, often times that will mean captain Dion Phaneuf is. Phaneuf has made his mistakes this season, as any defenceman will, however he is still playing in a role which does not suit him, therefore making his mistakes look that much worse. Whether he is a top pairing defenceman or not, he is the best the Leafs have, and is playing well through the first 21 games. Hopefully all of these players continue to produce as the season goes on and we can witness Phil Kessel break the 100 point mark, as good as these players have been, there are some things to keep an eye on as the season progresses.

As the Leafs move in to the next portion of their season, here are few things I'll be watching for;

- Will JVR be able to step away from his streaky play and have some consistency in his game

- Will David Clarkson continue to produce and settle in to a third line role which he is better suited

-Can Jonathan Bernier take the reigns and finally claim the #1 job, and return his play to a level closer to what we saw last year

-Does Randy Carlyle last the rest of the season behind the bench

-How will David Booth fit in to the lineup, and if he is successful, will that set the table for a possible Joffrey Lupul trade

   In a season riddled with controversies such as salute gate and jersey throwers, the media, fan base and players are intertwined in what appears to be a never ending game of finger pointing and he said, she said, they said, or in Phil Kessel's case, he didn't say. Regardless of what goes on in the media, the Leafs appear to be what many of us thought they were; a bubble team that will compete for a playoff spot and finish anywhere from 6-10 in the east. Personally, I look forward to seeing how this season unfolds, as always there is never a dull moment when it comes to the Leafs, and with all the questions still left to be answered surrounding the team, from front office, to players, there is no doubt it will be fun to watch it all unfold.

What has impressed you most so far about the Leafs? What are some things you're looking for as the season progresses, comment below !

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I wish all of the Leafs were as fat as Phil

Phil Kessel leads the entire NHL in 5 on 5 scoring, is a perennial 30 goal scorer, is on pace this season to eclipse 100 points and hasn't missed a game in over 3 seasons. In other words, Phil Kessel is incredibly good at his job, yet the Toronto media continues to paint a negative picture around arguably one of the best, most consistent players in the NHL.

  Phil Kessel has been with the Toronto Maple Leafs for six glorious seasons now , in each season he has seen an increase in point production and over all effectiveness in his game, not to mention he elevates the play of those around him (Mainly, Tyler Bozak) along with the point production Kessel possesses one of the most unique, deadly wrist shots in the NHL. So, all of this sounds great and as a fan base we love Phil Kessel for all of the fantastic things he does right? Wrong.

  Throughout his time with the Leafs Phil Kessel has had to put up with an unfair amount of BS from the Toronto media. Granted , being the hockey Mecca that Toronto is, any player coming to play got the blue and white should expect to be more heavily scrutinized than smaller NHL markets. Now, some players will eventually flee the spotlight for more money and ridiculous contracts in Florida (See Dave Bolland) however, through all the garbage the media has put Phil through, he decided to sign an 8 year contract extension to remain a Leaf until the 2021-22 season.

  Most recently Phil has taken heat for his post game remarks (or lack there of) following the teams dismal performance against the Buffalo Sabres. The media approached him for comments on the game and he simply replied "Get away from me" , this has caused commotion all week within the sports media circle, and given the media yet another chance to dump on Kessel. God forbid a player doesn't want to talk to you after a 6-2 loss to one of the worst teams in the league, the media is quick to jump on the winger for his lack of leadership, to me his response to the media said more about his passion and feelings about the game than any 30 second post game scrum with quotes on compete level and winning one on one battles would have.

  Perhaps due to the lack of success Toronto has had over the years we just feel we don't deserve to have an elite player on the team, or are sadly uncomfortable accepting it. When it comes to Kessel you can either listen to the media, who love to throw hissy fits every time he neglects to give an interview,mother they get to continue to tell you how he lacks leadership, doesn't care enough about his job to skate in the summer and is overweight and out of shape, or, you can sit back, enjoy the fact that the Leafs have one of the top players in the league, and continue to enjoy watching him improve each season and wire that disgusting wrist shot into the opposing teams net.

By the numbers;

Phil Kessel RW, Toronto Maple Leafs 382 GP, 167G, 188A, 355Pts

Game on!

It's over!  The lockout is over!  My how quick everyone's attitude has changed in the last 12 hours.  Okay, maybe not everyone's, but a lot of people's attitude has changed since the announcement was made.

A 10 year deal is fantastic, but there is a catch.  There is an opt out at year 8, available to both the owners and the players.  Either side may decline the opt out, but we'll talk about that when that time comes.

First things first.  Roberto Luongo is heavily rumoured to be heading to The Leafs.  This is an alright idea if the Leafs want to make the playoffs, but a terrible idea if they want to actually contend for a Stanley Cup Championship.   We all have seen what Luongo does when he is under pressure.

The NHL will probably be looking at a 48 game season.  Here is what the NHL looked like after 48 games last season.

NHL sends memo to clubs indicating no camps before Saturday (and may not open until Monday), 48-game season to begin Jan. 19
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) January 7, 2013

After the 1st 48 games last year the playoffs were set.  In fact only one team manage to sneak in after the 48 game mark and that was the Coyotes.  They went on that magical run to the West final on the back of goaltender Mike Smith.

Also through 48 games, this is what Kessel and Lupul's point totals were.

Player	Goals	Assists	Points
Kessel	26	25	51
Lupul	20	32	52

When it is all said and one and the deal it ratified by the ownership and the union, I'll be pumped and ready to watch NHL hockey once again.  Along with my son, who at only 10 months, his eyes are glued to the TV when hockey is on, just the way I like it.

Magic Numbers - March23

So, with only a few weeks left in the season, here is the list of magic numbers to have the Leafs eliminated mathematically. Team is on the left, and the number of points they need to be untouchable (by the Leafs) is in the middle, and the record each team needs at minimum to stay past the Leafs in the standings is on the right. All this is assuming the Leafs win their last 8 games. I didn't bother putting in Boston, because they only need 1 point, with 10 games left, to be untouchable for the Leafs.

Team	Points Needed	Lowest Record Needed
Florida	1	0-7-1
Ottawa	2	1-4-1
Washington	6	2-4-2
Buffalo	4	2-5
Winnipeg	9	4-2-1
Carolina	12	6-0

*as of 11:38pm March 23rd 2012.

That being said, these teams still play each other down the stretch. These games are deadly considering how close they all are in the standings. Everyone of these games could go to OT and be 3 point games.
Washington: Florida, Buffalo and Winnipeg
Florida: Washington, Carolina and Winnipeg
Ottawa: Winnipeg and Carolina
Buffalo: Washington and Toronto (2)
Winnipeg: Washington, Florida, Ottawa and Carolina
Carolina: Florida, Ottawa, Toronto and Winnipeg
So, yes, the Leafs are not mathematically eliminated from the playoffs yet, but, their maximum points are 5 points short of the usual playoff minimum for the Eastern Conference.