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 !
