The Leafs Win the Cup!

Dubas enters a Brave New World. " No guts, no glory! "

During the Lou Lamoriello reign Toronto played a very conservative trade game not taking any real chances in order to preserve our prospect pool and to avoid some of the past mistakes of trading away high picks and then living to regret it. Tukka Rask, Russ Courtnall, Alex Steen, Scott Niedermayer and even Roberto Luongo all went on to have great careers after being traded and so Lou played it very cautiously only giving up 2nd rounders to get Tomas Plekenac, Dan Boyle and giving up a late first rounder to get Frederick Andersen.In the end his cautiousness cost him his job and wasn't enough to get Toronto past the first round. During that time Toronto went from worst to 8th best in the league and still it cost him his job. A first round elimination simply won't do next year and could even cost more jobs should it happen, perhaps even Mike Babcock or who knows Shanny himself may feel some major heat. Toronto is an odd town and rightly so. They haven't seen a cup in over half a century and even the Cubs have ended their long drought.

Enter Dubas' Brave New World because as was once said ," No guts, no glory!" Dubas inherited a team in good cap shape with a team full of young players and a few decent prospects still left in the cupboard after it had been pillaged over two years. The team has way too many wingers and when players like Grundstrom, Engvall and perhaps Jeremy Bracco arrive there simply won't be any room. Last year players with size played a major role with Washington re-signing Smith Pelly and perhaps signalling a new era back to impact players with some grit and size. Let's look at some of the other teams Toronto may face in next year's Stanley Cup Playoffs. Thanks to OVO16 of Hockeysfuture:

Capitals: Tom Wilson, Smith Pelly, Oshie, Orlov, Bowey
Blue Jackets: Josh Anderson, Foligno, Jenner, Dubinsky, Savard
Bruins: David Backes, Mcquaid, Chara, Miller
Lightning: JT Miller, Killorn, Paquette, Callahan, Andreoff, Coburn, Hedman
Penguins: Aston-Reese, Hornqvist, Rust, Letang, Oleksiak

What can Toronto respond with now that Matt Martin is gone? Kadri ? Didn't he just get suspended ? Can Kadri play his game and take that chance next year ? The answer is no. Toronto is stacked with talent with star John Tavares willingly jumping on board but those players need role players to chop wood for them and wear down other teams behemoths such as Chara. It wouldn't be wise to lose next year due to a lack of those type of players who seem to be coming back into style again, just look at the hulking Winnipeg Jets who Toronto could one day face in the finals. Late last year Winnipeg thumped Toronto soundly as many announced Winnipeg the best team in Canada. So, what does Toronto need to beat such teams in next year's playoffs ? In my opinion some size to do their dirty work and a top 4 defenseman who can help Frederick Andersen, who I think is a very good goalie. Sure the Leafs were nervous the first 2 games in Boston last year and they have added a star but does Toronto want to lose over a 7 game series because of a suspect defense again ? No, they don't. I can't prove a top 9 power forward would have changed the outcome last year but I fail to see how it would hurt. Some Leaf fans are in love with the idea of just outscoring every team but in the playoffs many teams have talent and sometimes role players get hot and make a huge difference in a series. Play the wrong team and one can get worn down, injured or in the case of Kadri, suspended. We can't let that happen.

Enter the trademan. Dubas has the assets, some of which we may never use. Does Jeremy Bracco have a future in Toronto ? Perhaps but is hard to see whose job he will steal. Toronto Marlies Carl Grundstrom may help but the jury is still out on whether he is ready to play fulltime in the NHL yet. While Zaitsev may get another year to prove himself due to injury last year, Gardiner needs to be upgraded. He is an offensive defenseman some teams may covet to help their powerplay etc. but some sacrifice must be made to get what we need. No one is giving away defenseman anymore. Some speak of Vancouver's Tanev but he is injured too often and over valued by the Canucks who seem to think he will land Nylander. They can dream as Tanev represents too much risk and will never land such a prize. I'm not even sure The Leaf's would do Gardiner straight up for him in a trade. One player they might look at is Winnipeg's Trouba or perhaps even Tyler Myers. No one knows what the price would be but it would be at least Gardiner and Brown with the possibility of Bracco or even our 2019 first rounder as sweetner. That player won't play for 4 or 5 years, if ever. If one looks at players taken from 26th to 30th in the last 10 years or more, the pickings are very slim, so you can stop howling at the moon. Dubas needs to make at least one more bold move and hope a useful Smith Pelly type player becomes available on the market before the trade deadline. He owes that to Toronto's long standing loyal fans as the horror of losing in the first round again will haunt him, Shanahan and Babcock if they don't. I just dread what could happen should we collapse in game 7... again. After all there is more to hockey than just statistics.

Toronto Marlies playoff stats. 3 Moore LW on the way.

As if Toronto didn't have enough wingers, 4 more are on the way, 2 from Sweden. Grundstrom(traded to L.A for J Muzzin), Timashov,Moore and Engvall will likely all be pushing for NHL jobs soon.

Marlies playoff stats

December 2018: LW Trevor Moore gets the first call up as the trade of Leivo and the injury of Ennis forced Toronto to fill their 4th line LW. Moore played well and got an assist in his first game in.

There is no need for panic, The Maple Leafs have options.

I don't think Lou ever chases anything or McDonaugh wouldn't be playing on Tampa Bay right now. I don't think any one player can win us the Stanley cup anyway. Even if we had beat Boston somehow, we wouldn't have gotten far with Tampa and Pittsburgh waiting. We knew before the series our defense was incomplete and most knew Hainsey wasn't a top 2 guy at 37 or ever for that matter. We got a great lesson and if not for playoff nerves early in Boston and of course, Kadri not leaving for 3 games, we could have won. Coming back from 1 to 3 down isn't easy and Boston is one of the best teams in the NHL right now. Yes, the Leafs need a defenseman or two but I doubt they trade for an elite one... yet.

There will be no panic button move from this management team and they do have some options with Lupul coming off the books now. It won't be Nylander traded but if they do land a good defenseman, someone will have to go to make room for them. It won't be Dermott who is young and cheap or even Hainsey with one year left and can play on the 2nd/3rd pairing. Reilly is staying but Gardiner has one year left before UFA next summer. Should Toronto land a UFA, for example, he would fetch some assets or could be part of a trade to land a RHD. The Leafs may have learned a lesson as both Bozak and JVR could now walk for nothing and so could Plakenac for that matter.

No one is picking on Gardiner, the whole team lost. Was that Gardiner in game 1 and 2 ? No, that was everyone, including Babcock blowing that offside goal. That was Kadri getting suspended for 3 games. The shades and wounds of 2013 caused a flashback and the fans being dismayed looked for a culprit. Then blame the whole defense. Blame management for not seeing it first. Blame Kadri for only getting 2 assists all series. This is all part of a learning curve for the whole team and the coach apparently. The days of trading Courtnall for Kordic or Rask for Raycroft or how about Kurvers for Scott Niedermayer are long gone. Management got the message and have options and assets. The point has been made. This is not a Stanley cup defense and changes will be made but there is no need for panic. No one is picking on Gardiner for the loss but someone will be gone and an upgrade will occur on defense. It just won't be Nylander as chasing isn't Lou's game, nor is overpaying. The whole league knows what we need but why overpay or get in a bidding war? This team is young and needs time and I doubt even Karlsson can lift us to the Lord Stanley cup singlehandedly. Doughty might but he isn't going anywhere nor could we afford $10 to $12 M per year to get him.

Stay patient and this will get resolved and a year or two of growing and maturing won't hurt this very young team either. When the deal is right it will get made. This isn't the time to panic, we weren't going to win it this year anyway. This team is about 2 years away and improvements will be made next season. But if we lose JVR and Bozak for nothing, do we really want Gardiner walking for zero as well?

On a footnote: Lou Lamoriello was relieved of his GM duties by Brendan Shanahan and a new GM/ era will begin...... It looks to me like Shanahan wants to win sooner rather than later.

New Pinterest : Liverpool FC Board.

Click ==== > Pinterest- EPL Liverpool FC

Is size starting to play a major factor in the Playoffs?

I'm watching game 2 of the Winnipeg Jets versus Minnesota Wild as Zach Parise laments the Wild's inability to penetrate their zone and it occurs to me the Jets have Bifygulen, Laine, Schiefle, Wheeler, Tyler Myers and Trouba. They are mandhandling the Wild and to me look the playoff favorites in the West this year. The Jets truly have it all with skill, grit,size, scoring, defense and goaltending. Now can they resign Laine at $12M/yr.

Underdog to watch : Columbus Blue Jackets. Coming in hot. Highlights---->GM 1 April 12 CBJ vs Washington

Toronto beat Boston in ot game 7!

Well it appears the hockey godz may smile upon us yet. Tampa Bay may yet claim first place giving the Maple Leafs a rematch with the much hated Boston Bruins, a team Toronto can beat. Boston is what is known as a one line team, albeit a very good first line featuring Bergeron, Pastrnk and Marchand. Beyond that it gets a bit sparse thus Boston acquired aging Rick Nash at the Trade deadline this year. The key to that series is shutting down Boston's top line while Toronto rolls 3 offensive lines. Chara is no longer a spring chicken and McAvoy was recently injured, a lingering injury perhaps?

Toronto fans will no doubt remember being up 4 to 1 in game 7 going into the third and then amazingly losing 5 to 4 in OT as Bergeron scored for Boston.

Home ice advantage: Boston

Being rested : Toronto Maple Leafs. Boston had to play 5 extra games in the final quarter of the season, many high intensity, as they had 5 games on hand.

Defense: With Chara back there: Boston.
Gardiner and Zaitsev are question marks while Hainsey is 37 and may wear down in a long series.

Goaltending : Pick em. You will be hard pressed to find 2 better goalies.

Coaching: Babcock wins, Cassidy will be hard pressed to outwit Mike Babcock and has no NHL playoff experience.

Offense: Toronto has 3 scoring lines and can still put Johnsson and Kapanen on their 4th line with Plakenac.

Intangibles: Boston's players have more playoff experience but the Maple Leafs are young and fast.
There is only one player Marchand hates playing against. Plakenac, let's hope he can shut him down.

Series outcome: I recently put in a call to Nostradamus and he whispered" Kadri in OT game 7." A bitterly fought series will go to 7 games but if Toronto shuts down Boston's top line they will emerge victorious and payback will be complete.

Toronto wins in game 7 OT. The Bruins are tired and as the series goes on Toronto's younger and fresher legs will prevail. Just ask Nostradamus

As of this writing Kadri is out on suspension. The entire series is on the line and the odds are about a hundred to one right now for the Maple Leafs. Nothing to lose and everything to learn. Bring it on.

NHL draft 2018 preview. - March

Well it's a tad early but in June the draft arrives. The year a tall 6ft 2 inch Swedish defender named Rasmus Dahlin https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dv5eJZ4uKHQ looks a shoo in to go number one. He has drawn comparisons to Karlsson but may be bigger and more like Hedman with major skills. Word is this is an average draft, so not as loaded say as the 2015 McDavid draft. As per Sportsnet. Bear in mind drafts vary and are projections. In this draft you may see highly differing opinions after the top 10. The Leafs depending on how far they go into the playoffs will likely be drafting after the top 20 and may be as low as say 25th overall.

Odds to win the 2018 NHL Draft lottery

Arizona Coyotes	55 points	18.0%	48.1%
Buffalo Sabres	56 points	12.5%	36.2%
Vancouver Canucks	59 points	10.5%	31.2%
Ottawa Senators	59 points	9.5%	28.6%
Montreal Canadiens	62 points	8.5%	25.9%
Detroit Red Wings	63 points	7.6%	23.4%
Edmonton Oilers	64 points	6.7%	20.9%
Chicago Blackhawks	68 points	5.8%	18.3%
New York Rangers	69 points	5.4%	17.1%
New York Islanders	70 points	4.5%	14.4%
Carolina Hurricanes	71 points	3.3%	10.7%
New York Islanders (via Flames) 78 points 2.7% 8.8% Florida Panthers 75points 2.2% 7.2% Anaheim Ducks 80 points 1.8% 5.9% Philadelphia Flyers (via Blues) 79 points 1.0% 3.3%

Rasmus Dahlin, D, 6-foot-2, 181 pounds (Frolunda, SHL): Erik Karlsson, Victor Hedman and now Dahlin. Are you ready for the next franchise-changing defenceman from Sweden?

2. Filip Zadina, RW, 6-foot-1, 196 pounds (Halifax Mooseheads, QMJHL): The Mooseheads’ import factory strikes again and sends a high-end sniper to the top of the NHL draft.

3. Andrei Svechnikov, RW, 6-foot-2, 186 pounds (Barrie Colts, OHL): Led all scorers at the Five Nations tournament and has put up points at a torrid pace with the Barrie Colts since the world juniors (38 in 22 games).

4. Brady Tkachuk, LW, 6-foot-3, 196 pounds (Boston University, NCAA): Better than older brother Matthew?

5. Adam Boqvist, D, 5-foot-11, 170 pounds (Almtuna IS, Allsvenskan): A fantastic skater and playmaker who isn’t afraid to shoot. If you don’t end up with Dahlin, getting Boqvist is more than just a consolation prize.

6. Noah Dobson, D, 6-foot-3, 180 pounds (Acadie-Bathurst Titan, QMJHL): The secret is out, this righthand shot blueliner is legit.

7. Oliver Wahlstrom, RW, 6-foot-1, 205 pounds (USNTDP): Eight points at the Five Nations (tied with tourney leader Svechnikov) and a solid spot on the U.S U18 top line, Wahlstrom continues to produce big in his draft year.

8. Evan Bouchard, D, 6-foot-2, 193 pounds (London Knights, OHL): Despite his Knights trading away most of their vets, Bouchard has continued to excel in all areas. February’s defenceman of the month in the OHL is also a natural leader.

9. Quinn Hughes, D, 5-foot-10, 174 pounds (U of Michigan, NCAA): One of the most creative players in the draft. An outstanding skater who can create even in the most challenging situations.

10. Isac Lundestrom, C, 6-foot, 185 pounds (Lulea, SHL): As one scout told me “he’s the Swedish Patrice Bergeron.” A lofty compliment, but the comparisons are there.

11. Barrett Hayton, C, 6-foot-1, 191 pounds (Sault Ste Marie Greyhounds, OHL):Extremely focussed and hard-working, Hayton is the “all-in” guy every team loves to have. Nursing a small injury and the ‘Hounds are being careful with him.

12. Joel Farabee, LW, 6-feet, 164 pounds (USNTDP): Hard-working, skilled playmaker who is magical with the puck on his stick.

13. Bode Wilde, D, 6-foot-3, 195 pounds (USNTDP): Offensive defenceman who plays physical. Leads all USNTDP blueliners with 32 points. Hard wrist and slap shot from the point.

14. Joe Veleno, C, 6-foot-1, 195 pounds (Drummondville Voltigeurs, QMJHL):Has excelled since the trade from Saint John to Drummondville where he’s being coached by the excellent Dominique Ducharme.

15. Grigori Denisenko, LW, 5-foot-11, 176 pounds (Yaroslavl Jr.): Great passer who also boasts a good shot. Played on the top line with Andrei Svechnikov and Alexander Khovanov for Russia at the Five Nations tourney.

16. Ty Smith, D,D, 5-foot-11, 176 pounds (Spokane Chiefs, WHL): Speed and smarts, those are the calling cards of the first overall pick in the 2015 WHL draft.

17. Rasmus Kupari, C, 6-foot-1, 183 pounds (Hermes, Mestis Finland): Not the biggest guy on the ice by any stretch, but can create and finish. And does it all with great bursts of speed.

18. Jesperi Kotkaniemi, C, 6-foot-2, 190 pounds (Assat, Finnish Liiga): Physically he has everything you want – skill, speed, size and he keeps improving.

19. Jet Woo, D, 5-foot-11, 205 pounds (Moose Jaw Warriors, WHL): Has more than a bit of ‘old school’ in his game and isn’t afraid to throw the body around.

20. Rasmus Sandin, D, 5-foot-11, 190 pounds (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, OHL): Even with the Conor Timmins (COL) injury the ‘Hounds have not skipped a beat on the blue line mainly due to Sandin’s work. Plays tough minutes in all situatio.

21. Jared McIsaac, D, 6-foot-1, 195 pounds (Halifax Mooseheads, QMJHL): Good skater with offensive instincts and has just enough bite in his game to keep players honest.

22. Serron Noel, RW, 6-foot-5, 201 pounds (Oshawa Generals, OHL): Skilled yet raw power forward who keeps getting better and better.

23. Ryan McLeod, C, 6-foot-2, 200 pounds (Mississauga Steelheads, OHL): A slippery and skilled centre, McLeod has high-end vision. As one OHL GM told me “where his brother Michael (NJ) smashes down the front door to score, Ryan sneaks in through the side.”

24. Alexander Khovanov, C, 5-foot-11, 179 pounds (Moncton Wildcats, QMJHL):Great puck distributor with excellent vision.

25. Jacob Olofsson, C, 6-foot-1, 192 pounds (Timra, Allsvenskan): A reliable two-way centre who almost made the Swedish WJC team. Plays a lot with Canucks prospect Jonathan Dahlen.

26. Ryan Merkley, D, 5-foot-11, 170 pounds (Guelph Storm, OHL): Has top 5 skill without a doubt and can skate.

27. Benoit Olivier-Groulx, C, 6-foot-1, 192 pounds (Halifax Mooseheads, QMJHL): No surprise he’s a coach’s dream as a player since his father Benoit is one of the best CHL bench bosses of this generation.

28. Dominik Bokk, LW, 6-foot-1, 180 pounds (Vaxjo, SHL): Another great hockey story for Germany in 2018.

29. Akil Thomas, C, 5-foot-11, 170 pounds (Niagara IceDogs, OHL): Huge ceiling here that Thomas is only now starting to scratch.

30. K’Andre Miller, D, 6-foot-3, 206 pounds (USNTDP): Was outstanding and probably the top U.S defenceman at the U18 Five Nations. Great skating blueliner who isn’t shy about joining the rush.

31. Mattias Samuelsson, D, 6-foot-4, 217 pounds (USNTDP): Big, strong, and safe defenceman. Son of former NHLer Kjell Samuelsson.

all scorers at the Five Nations tournament and has put up points at a torrid pace with the Barrie Colts since the world juniors (38 in 22 games).y Tkachuk, LW, 6-foot-3, 196 pounds (Boston University, NCAA): Better than older brother Matthew.

Babcock sounds the alarm as nemesis Buffalo looms. March madness....

A big game looms for Toronto against arch nemesis the Buffalo Sabres on Monday in Buffalo. The Sabres are fresh off a victory against the Eastern conference leading Tampa Bay Lightning , just as Babcock hits the red button putting the Leafs through a high tempo 40 minute practice on Sunday. "Yeah..it was a lot of skating." said one Leaf player. The Leafs record against Buffalo over the last 10 or so years is a good reason for Babcock to be concerned. The Leafs have played Buffalo 206 times winning 75 games for .434 winning percentage. To make things a little tougher, it will be in Buffalo where Toronto rarely wins. Toronto is now 2-5-2 without star American Auston Mathews going up against a team they in theory should beat, otherwise they are 0-4 in the last few games. Not the way Babcock wants his team to enter the final quarter of the season where being hot going into the playoffs is almost critical. Below Toronto is Florida, 15 points behind with games in hand but 6 - 0 and very hot lately.

Naturally, Babcock was on top of it and concerned. It isn't time to panic just yet and Babcock will not be interested in using the Mathews is injured card. The Leafs have a young but loaded lineup and many teams often say this situations create opportunity. To date it can't be said that Plekanec has had much impact but then players often take 10 games or so to gel with a new system and environment. All of a sudden a game that shouldn't be all that important is. Babcock knows that 15 point lead can cause complancey and if Florida did win its' 4 games on hand that lead would quickly shrink to a mere 7 points. To furthur complicate things losing to the 2nd worst team in the NHL who just lost Evander Kane might hurt their psyche. The truth is Mathews alone can't beat Boston, Washington, Pittsburgh or Tampa Bay this year. As the games get tougher now and more like the playoffs there are far more 1 goal and OT games where Babcock wants this team to excel entering the playoffs hot. Buffalo is an excellent test and if the players don't respond Babcock is right to be alarmed and so is Lou Lamorello the Leafs' GM. Lou just gave up a 2nd rounder but some fans will have the expectation of it paying dividends now. There are many fans who are hardcore rebuild mode and if the Leafs lost the first round the year would be perceived by many as a failure. The argument being Toronto still needs to load up on picks and prospects to have organizational depth when the spending spree on their young stars(Mathews, Nylander and Marner) begins soon. The truth is Toronto most likely is long odds against the big 4 in the Eastern conference and adding Plekanec at 35 isn't going to change that. Stay tuned for Monday's game.

Like it or not, this is an important game and portends whether Toronto will be ready or not come playoff time as only 14 games will be left in their season and Mathews is still out with a shoulder injury. As of 3 pm Eastern interviews with the Buffalo players "It is an easy game to get up for, there is a rivalry there." Sounds like this is a good test for the Leafs tonight and perhaps Mike Babcock saw something in their play lately and gave good cause for his concern. Going 0 and 4 tonight will put Leaf nation on high alert as we have all seen the cliff dive at the end before.It would be nice to see some veterans start contributing again. Did anyone tell JVR the trade deadline is over yet and that his free agency loom$? At this time it is unlikely injured star center Auston Mathews will be in the game. He is skating but no timeline truly exists yet.

Coming back to the fold tonight is Leaf enforcer Matt Martin who is all smiles understandably. Looks like we should expect a fiesty playoff style game tonight. Chad Johnson will be starting in net for Buffalo does that qualify as an advantage? Probably he is 31, I haven't seen him play but sounds like a backup to me.

Early in the first Buffalo has Toronto on it's heals in their own zone down by 2 goals. Reinhart struck on the PP and Pominville at even strength. 2 to 1, Komorov jumps on a Nylander rebound as the first ends on a powerplay goal assist to Marleau. In the 2nd Komorov scores again, assist to Martin. Looks like that 40 minute practice may have slowed them down in the first and we have a game again. 3 to 2 Buffalo, goal by Reinhart on a fluker odd goal. JVR bats one out of the air with some good hand eye co ordination but Johnson stops it. 4 to 2 for Buffalo, O 'Reilly beats Andersen glove side. The 5th goal by Buffalo showed the NHL has no bias against Toronto as the Buffalo players slew foots Andersen and then pounces on the puck as Andersen lies on his back.Marner gets a nice deflection off the Buffalo defenseman but too little too late. Game over Buffalo 5 Toronto 3. Leafs enter March 0 and 4. They now get a few days off.

The Leafs faced two consecutive time Stanley cup winners Pittsburgh on Saturday at home. The

Leafs were on an 0 and 4 skid looking to put some space between themselves and red hot Florida who beat NYR 4 to 3 in OT. The Leafs played well in their 5 to 2 win with one controversial goal being disallowed to Pitts when their player struck Andersen in the head while he had the puck frozen between his skate and the post. Johnson, Pittsburgh's coach was livid but tonight the puck rolled Toronto's way as Kadri scored twice and shutting down Crosby. Marner, Marleau and Kapanen chipped in singles as Andersen saved 38 shots, he had another busy night. The Leafs played well , broke their mini slump and now face the Dallas Stars in Toronto on Wednesday. Dallas will be looking for payback as they lost to the Leafs last time in Dallas.

Wow, quite the game on Wednesday in Toronto with a wild 6 to 5 OT shootout win for the Leafs. It wasn't quite playoff style but had some urgency to it. Kadri got lucky as Dallas' goaltender wobbled a clearing pass straight to him giving Toronto the first goal. JVR scored 1 of 3 goals on his hatrick night putting Toronto up 2 to 0. Then Dallas started to hit on all cylinders. After Benn and Seguin were done it was 4 to 2 Dallas and Andersen was out with an upper body injury. Toronto then got a couple as the game seesawed until with some 15 seconds left in the game Marleau scored on a Marner shot putting the game into OT at 5 to 5 even. There was no scoring in OT and so Marner became the penalty shot hero giving Toronto a nice cushion of 2 points over Florida on one crazy offense filled game.

On March 13th Buffalo came back to Toronto and the Leafs injury list grew as Komorov got hit accidentally by Nylander and hobbled of the ice unable to out weight on one leg. JVR scored twice as Toronto took a 4 to 1 lead into the 3rd period. Buffalo got the score to 4 to 2 but pulled the goalie allowing Marleau to place an empty netter in and make this sleepy game 5 to 2 on the back of 38 saves by McLhenney. 2 points and Florida still faces Boston several times. The playoffs are now in view. Mathews, Andersen, Zaitsev and now Komorov are injured or still out. JVR is laser hot with 5 goals in just 2 games.

Saturday Montreal was in town but it was Andreas Johnson's night. Smiling all game Johnsson had his chances and finally got his first NHL goal the fourth of night. McElhinney got his 3rd shutout of night and is unbeaten in 8 games now. Nylander opened it scoring first then Kapanen struck with a nice goal. Kadri had a sweet tip in. Getting chances all night Johnson lifted the puck in tight to get an in close goal to remember. Tonight a non playoff team played a playoff team and it showed. I think it is safe to say, Toronto unofficially clinched the playoffs tonight and earned it. Mathews is out but is allowed contact again, he expects the injury to linger....hmmmm. I suspect in Andersen's case he is being rested for the playoffs.With 93 pts Toronto has a comfortable 16 pt lead and 10 games left to play this year before playoffs. Florida sitting at 77 pts has to play the red hot Bruins 4 more times.

Tampa Bay 4 Toronto Maple Leafs 3.
It was the best of times , it was the worst of times. Toronto went up 3 to zip on the back of 2 more JVR goals but a veteran Tampa Bay team scored late in the 2nd to make it 3 to 1. Tampa scored 3 in the 3rd as Toronto didn't respond. A wake up call onto Nashville.

Welcome back Auston Mathews ! Toronto got a plethora of goals from JVR, Mathews,Nylander, Marner and Gardiner. They looked a threat on every shift. In the end it was a 5 to 2 win over Nashville one of the best teams in the league at home. Toronto was flying and looked the bigger threat all night. A great win now off back to Toronto for Detroit at home Saturday. A win here surely claims playoffs and the first time the Maple Leafs are back to back years in the playoffs for a long time. This team is starting to look very promising.

Well on Saturday the Leafs won their 13th straight home game against Detroit on the strength of Kadri's 13th go ahead goal. It wasn't a playoff type game but they won it in a close game.They now face Buffalo on Monday and Florida on Wednesday both games are at home and a win will surely seal the playoffs where we might even face two time stanley cup winner Pittsburgh, what a test that would be.

Current league tables :NHL Standings March 25th 2018.

March 27th was the Jack Eichel show as he scored 2 ending our 13 game hone win streak. Buffalo considers us a rival and gets up for these games. Full credit to Buffalo for a well deserved 3-2 win. We now play Florida and a win here should seal playoffs, it should be a good test as Florida is hunting for a playoff spot and must play Boston 4 more times.

March 28th Florida came to town and the Leafs started out strong going up 3 to 0 with Mathews launching the 2nd goal to get his 30th of the year. Toronto now has 3 -30' goal scorers in JVR, Kadri and Auston Mathews. In the 2nd Florida ripped back with 2 nice goals by Hurbedeau making it 3 to 2 Toronto after 2 periods. It would be far worse if not for Luongo's play. JVR shovels in his 35th of the season while falling and Toronto holds on to win 4 to 3 over the Panthers setting a new franchise record with 46 wins and putting Florida in bad situation as New jersey won last night. We now move on to play NYI in New York.Last game of the month of march will be in Toronto versus the powerful Winnigpeg Jets and Laine.

Ottawa clinches the playoffs(March 29th) for Toronto beating Florida on a penalty shot. If the playoffs started today we face the Tampa Bay Lightning. Funny reward for our best season ever.

Current standings March 30th 2018 NHL standings for March30th 2018

On the last day of March we found out who the best team in Canada is. Winnipeg handed Toronto a 3 to 1 loss in Toronto. The Leafs took the lead on a Marleau tip in from Mathews in the first. Then Winnipeg took over the next 2 periods using size and grit even running McElhenney. The difference was defense and size. Winnipeg is built to win a cup, Toronto still has some building to do this summer. Time will help as our core ages but we have a dire need for a top 2 defenseman and are in denial about our lack of size.

A rundown of the Toronto Maple Leaf's top 20 prospects.

Chart climber : Ian Scott as of October 20 2018 is 10-1-1 with .942 save percentage.A good sign as the Marlies clearly need a goalie for next year. Ian Scott has made the Team Canada world juniors and the Leafs have signed him to a 3 year entry level contract.Ian Scott is the talk of the underground and many think Toronto has landed a Goal stud from the 4th round.Update :December 2018. Scott has made the Canada world juniors and will be fighting with Carter Hart for the number one job.

Updated as of July 23rd 2018. According to a recent fan poll on HFboards the voting produced this current top 20 Maple Leaf prospects.

Rankings:
1. Timothy Liljegren -- 78.7%
2. Andreas Johnsson -- 86.2%
3. Carl Grundstrom -- 49.6% (traded to L.A for J. Muzzin)
4. Rasmus Sandin -- 86.2% (Recent first rounder 2018)
From TSN: Pick 29: Rasmus Sandin, D, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds

There was plenty to glean from Dubas about Sandin’s game and his immediate future when he was drafted on Friday night. But Sandin also has a unique history with the number one overall pick in this year’s draft, his countryman Rasmus Dahlin. Both are defencemen by trade, but played a few shifts together at forward as 10 year olds for Team Sweden at the World Selects Under-13 Invitational in 2012-13. Dahlin was at centre, with Sandin acting as his right wing. By age 11, Sandin had committed to the blueline and never looked back. And should he return to Rogle BK in Sweden, which Sandin stated on Friday was his intention next season, he’ll have an opportunity to skate once again beside his brother Linus, also a Rogle product.

Sandin may not be flashy, but boasts a high-end hockey IQ with good mobility and a playmaker’s flare for putting the puck in just the right spot to make something happen offensively. All that makes Sandin a natural quarterback on the power play, and as he adds strength and weight to his 5-foot-11 frame, Sandin’s skill set will continue to shine through.

As of November 28th 2018 Sandin is playing with the Toronto Marlies with some impact. 3 Goals in 9 games already. Impressive for an 18 year old defenseman. December 12th. Sandin has been impressive and now has 10 points in 18 games with the Marlies as a rookie.

5. Sean Durzi -- 26.8% (Recent 2nd rounder 2018) From TSN ( Traded to L.A for J. Muzzin)

Pick 52: Sean Durzi, D, Owen Sound Attack

* Apparently Dubas wanted Durzi last year and he went on to have a huge year.

An overager in the OHL last season after he was passed over by all 31 teams in the 2017 draft, Durzi said on Saturday that rejection ended up being a blessing in disguise. He was at United Center in Chicago last June, one year removed from an ankle surgery that slowed his production during that first draft season to 38 points (two goals, 36 assists) in 60 games. Still, at least one scout said on Saturday he had been a little surprised when Durzi went undrafted, and thought the Leafs were smart to jump on him early in the second round.

When his previous draft plans didn’t pan out, the right-shot defenceman attended Leafs’ development camp last spring and made a big enough impact on management they considered giving him a contract, but were maxed out at 50 deals. So Durzi took what lessons the Leafs offered and returned to the Attack for a third season, his best to date. In 40 games, Durzi put up 49 points (15 goals, 34 assists) while re-vamping his entire lifestyle off the ice.

“He has really transformed the way he lives day in and day out,” said Dubas. “Not that there was anything wrong with how he was living before, but he was a teenager before and now he monitors everything that goes into his body, he’s meticulous with his habits, and he’s become a pro in that last year.”

Dubas cited Durzi’s improved foot speed, play making ability and how well he defended against the OHL’s best forwards last season as reasons they took him off the board. The Leafs also appreciated Durzi sense of what he needs to work on going forward. It was an added bonus for Durzi that the Leafs were so interested and also happened to be his favourite team growing up. Born and raised in Mississauga, Durzi loved watching Brian McCabe and hopes to make a mark of his own on the organization one day.

“[I was] one of the biggest Leafs fans I’d say,” he remarked. “It’s been a thing in my family for generations. This is a dream come true.”

6. Jeremy Bracco -- 31.3%
7. Yegor Korshkov -- 40.1%
8. Calle Rosen -- 36.8%
9. Pierre Engvall -- 34.6%
10. Joseph Woll -- 30.5%
11. Eemeli Rasanen -- 37.5%

12. Igor Ozhiganov -- 23.2% (Coming over this year from Russia)
At 6ft 2 inches and 210 lbs Igor has size and skates well for a big man. He doesn't shy away from the rough stuff and is said to have a big shot.He has signed a one year contract similar to the one Zaitsev signed. Let's hope he can make the jump.

13. Semyon Der-Arunitsev -- 26.3% (Recent 3rd rounder 2018)
From TSN

Round 3, Pick 76: Semyon Der-Arguchintsev, C, Peterborough Petes

The youngest player in the 2018 draft (his birthday is September 15, 2000, the cut off to be eligible for the 2018 draft), Der-Arguchintsev looks the part of a 17-year-old with plenty of room to develop. At 5-foot-10, 159 pounds, it’s not surprising Der-Arguchintsev cites Mitch Marner, also undersized when he was drafted, as a player he admires. But all that being said, the Leafs like his potential. Over two seasons with the Petes, Der-Arguchintsev was more playmaker than scorer, putting up 80 points in 131 games. Like Marner, Der-Arguchintsev (known as “Sammy” to his teammates) has a tendency to pass up open shots to make a pass, even after ably shifting through traffic and creating prime chances. As Der-Arguchintsev progresses through his junior career, adding the strength and size (he’s hoping to still grow a little taller, too) needed to play against men is near the top of his to-do list

14. Dmytro Timashov -- 32.3%
15. Filip Kral -- 29.3% From TSN

Round 5, Pick 149: Filip Kral, D, Spokane Chiefs

Kral played his first season of professional hockey as a 17-year-old in his native Czech Republic, and adapted quickly to the North American game when he joined the Chiefs last year in a 35-point campaign (which led all WHL rookie defencemen). A strong skater already with good acceleration, Kral is a mobile defenceman with solid awareness through the neutral zone to make plays offensively. One scout cites Kral’s lack of physicality as an area to improve on, as well as his tendency to throw pucks into the wrong place when he’s pressured. His limited experience in North America may have hurt Kral’s draft stock with some teams, but if his development continues on its current trajectory he could be a great value pick for Toronto.

16. Fedor Gordeev -- 29.7%
17. Adam Brooks -- 29.7%
18. Trevor Moore -- 37.9%
19. Riley Stotts -- 26.3% ++++ > ( 2018 draft)

Round 3, Pick 83: Riley Stotts, C, Calgary Hitmen From TSN

A trade doesn’t always end up being the best possible outcome for a young hockey player. But for Stotts, being dealt from the Swift Current Broncos to the Hitmen last season helped shine a light right on him. After a successful rookie campaign with the Broncos in 2016-17, Stotts saw his playing time slip the following year when Swift Current loaded up on talent to chase a championship. Posting just three points in his first 22 games of 2017-18, Stotts was traded to the younger, less experience Hitmen, and carved out a big role and tallied 41 points in the season’s remaining 47 games.

Like many mid-round players, Stotts doesn’t show a high aptitude in one aspect of his game just yet, but is proficient in size, mobility and stickhandling. But Stotts also comes with a reputation for being hard working, dependable and smart with the puck. It all makes him potentially easy to mold into the Leafs system down the road.

20. Jesper Lindgren -- 26.9% (tie)
20. Mason Marchment - - 26.9% (tie)

A second opinion. According to the Sporting News we have the 16th overall prospect pool. Note the slight difference in their list.

Sporting News Opinion.
Top 10 Maple Leaf prospects:

PROSPECT

	POSITION	2018-19 TEAM (Proj.)	ACQUIRED
1. Tim Liljegren	RHD	Toronto (NHL)	1st/2017
2. Rasmus Sandin	LHD	Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)	1st/2018
3. Andreas Johnsson	LW	Toronto (NHL)	7th/2013
4. Yegor Korshkov	LW	Yaroslavl (KHL)	2nd/2016
5. Carl Grundstrom	LW	Toronto (AHL)	2nd/2016
6. Pierre Engvall	LW	Toronto (AHL)	7th/2014
7. Sean Durzi	RHD	Owen Sound (OHL)	2nd/2018
8. Jeremy Bracco	RW	Toronto (AHL)	2nd/2015
9. Dmytro Timashov	LW	Toronto (AHL)	5th/2015
10. Filip Kral	LHD	Spokane (WHL)	5th/2018

2017/2018 Season.

With the Toronto Maple Leafs firmly entrenched in the playoffs and with about 20 odd games,a quarter of the season left, it is time to look forward to the 2018 draft this summer. Despite the Toronto Maple Leafs sending a flurry of prospects into the NHL lineup over the last two seasons, the Toronto Marlies are one of the best teams this year in the American Hockey League . Some of Toronto's very promising prospects aren't even in North America yet with Yegor Korshkov, a big 6ft 4 inch, 225 lb winger in the KHL(Russia) who can skate and Winger Carl Grundstrom playing over in the SHL(Sweden). Former first rounder Kasperi Kapanen looks to finally have cracked the big leagues at the age of 21 for good and as such will be removed from this list.

Times have really changed in Toronto as their drafting and acquiring and retaining of picks has drastically improved.In fact the Leafs had four 2nd round picks in 2015/2016. The Toronto Marlies are now a development team where prospects are given the best mentoring money can buy while they mature and gain much needed experience under the watchful eye of Sheldon Keefe and his staff. No doubt it is a distinct plus having the Marlies farmteam in their backyard and allowing Leaf management i.e Brendan Shanahan, Lou Lamorello and Kyle Dubas to watch and monitor very closely. The top prospect for the Toronto Maple Leafs is the 17th pick from last year's draft. The grading system is simply the calibre of player by position in the draft. The better the player and lower the round of the pick the higher the grade. For example a Weber or Subban type player at 2nd round is an A+.

Too see recent highlights of Timothy Liljegren Click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_4SssOp96w

1) Timothy Liljegren. Last year prior to the draft, Liljegren was considered by many as a potential top 3 overall pick. But then, in his draft year, he got a case of mono and was then bumped around from team to team and coach to coach in Sweden making some question his overall hockey sense / Iq. He started this year in North America polishing his defensive skills against men in the American Hockey League. It showed at this year's World Junior Tournament where Liljegren was a top 3 minute defenseman on the silver winning Team Sweden, which lost in the finals to Team Canada. He played well by all accounts. On the Toronto Marlies his current stats mask his elite skills and skating and thus his offensive potential. He may crack the Leaf lineup next year, if only for an audition but he is likely 2 seasons away and could be a Swedish Reilly type down the line. This kid has major potential and is highly likely a future top 4 defenseman for the Maple Leafs.

Grade A- :

A steal at 17th in a weak draft. " He(Liljegren) has elite, elite, elite skills ." - Mike Babcock.
That is a lot of elites!

" He was a no brainer at 17th.." - Hunter at the 2017 NHL draft.

Travis Dermott's first goal with Dad present. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5EGhv-ASPw

2) Travis Dermott is a Leaf 2nd rounder who was taken in 2015. Dermott has emerged as not only the best young defender in the American Hockey League but is playing with the Toronto Maple Leafs currently and looks very good indeed. Most see him as a future top 4 defenseman who can skate, carry the puck, hit, play defense and add a little offensive ability from the backend. One of Hunter's best picks so far by position.

Grade B+.
He may not be a Subban or Weber calibre but a top 4 Defenseman in the 2nd round of the draft isn't easy to find. Hunter took a big risk trading the Konency pick to the Philadelphia Flyers for two 2nd rounders. Toronto had a greater need for a top 4 defenseman.

3) Andreas Johnson came all the way from the 7th round back in 2013, a former Brian Burke pick. Johnson, a winger , is leading the AHL Toronto Marlies in scoring and may be the 2nd coming of Connor Brown. He isn't big but he is tenacious enough has the ability to score, kills penalties and is definitely a skilled winger, something Toronto now has almost in embarrassing abundance. He will be good enough for the NHL next year but where Toronto fits him is anyone's guess right now. It won't be in Leivo's press box seat. Johnsson scored his first NHL goal March 18th 2018 versus Montreal in his second NHL game.

Grade A+ :
How do you complain about a 7th rounder? Looks to be a skilled top 9 forward for years.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzUvDF9r_gM

4) Carl Grundstrom is another 2nd round winger and is still playing over in Sweden. Grundstrom's game is quite physical and engaging. He can be a hound for the puck . He has good size and skating while also knowing how to put the puck in the net. He is exactly what the Leafs will need in the future but expect him to start next year with the AHL Toronto Marlies and perhaps fight his way into a stacked NHL lineup by 2019 season's end. I see him in the future, as a good top 9 forward and feel confident saying that. He looks like he could be a good fit to play with Mathews due to his style and shot.

Grade B :
Just what we need ? Could push for Hyman or Brown's jobs in the future.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tULqgMTRpkI

5) Yegor Korshkov is currently playing in the KHL(Russia) getting some big minutes in. He is a massive 6ft 4 inch 225 lb winger with skill and skating ability. He is slated to come to North America next year in 2019 and will likely play with the Toronto Marlies in the AHL learning the North American style and rink size. He could replace JVR but that is not likely to be by next year.

Grade B - :
Haven't seen him enough but getting decent reports on him so far. A strange pick at the draft as he had been passed over in the 2 drafts prior and was taken at age 20.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAboQukUWQE

6) Eemli Rasanen is a giant 6 feet 7 inch, 209 pound defender playing for the Kingston Frontenacs in the Ontario Hockey League. He is a hitting and block the lanes with his insane reach type of defender. He is of Finnish descent with a great shot from the point and can run a power play. It is said Rasanen hits harder than his considerable shot. Like anyone that size at 18, he has some skating to work on as he grows into his frame and matures and learns to co ordinate his large frame at a higher level. Another Hunter 2nd rounder in 2017, he is a project drawing comparisons to gulp... Chris Pronger. Even if Rasanen becomes a 5/6th defender at the National Hockey League level the Leafs win. He is likely 2 or 3 years away but Toronto can now send him to the Marlies confident he will be getting the best grooming money can buy.

Grade B +.
Almost the last guy in the 2nd round(59th) and he is a massive defender in the OHL already. Great project and something their backend needs, some grit and net clearing ability.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TveGb5R_r04

7) Jeremy Bracco is yet another small, skilled forward and another Hunter 2nd rounder from 2015. He has graduated to the Toronto Marlies and is slowly playing better and getting more comfortable and confident against men. He likely will play in the NHL someday but will it be in Toronto?

Grade B- :
Has lots of skill but needs more time in the AHL next year.

8). Miro Altonen was a free agent signing from Finland who is starting to tear it up at the center postion playing with Johnson in the American Hockey League. He is smallish but fast. Aaltonen looks like he could play in the NHL as a 4th line center and might be able to move up to 3rd C, in time or due to injury. Has left NHL. no longer a prospect of note.

Grade B :
How do you complain about free? Update: Altonen has left the NHL and is unlikely to return to Toronto. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Scratch from prospect list as of July 2018.

Andreas Borgman can expect to be a healthy scratch once every three games under the Leafs' blueline rotation.

Andreas Borgman can expect to be a healthy scratch once every three games under the Leafs' blueline rotation.

9) Andreas Borgman is a big, 22 year old NHL ready defender from Sweden and another Maple Leaf free agent signing. He has showed well in his audition in the NHL this year but the emergence of Travis Dermott pushed him back to the AHL. Why? Because the Leafs can and waiver considerations. Borgman should be in the NHL and looks like a future 5/6 defenseman.

Grade B :
Big defender who can hit and play in the NHL with a very good, booming shot and all for free.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-DqxTdJvEs

10) Fedor Gordeev is a hulking 6 ft 6 inch , 211 lb. defender getting scouts attention while playing in the OHL and has some saying he is a better prospect that Rasanen. He was taken in the 5th round so he could be a steal. Gordeev was a darkhorse who has earned some attention.

Grade B+ :
A big defender who may make the Maple Leaf top 5 defense core,drafted in the 5th round and coming on strong.

11) Joseph Woll is a big goaltender playing for Boston in college right now. He was a 3rd rounder in 2015 and played as the number one USA goalie in the World Juniors this winter. Woll is likely years away and hard to project as a number one Goalie in the NHL. Could easily become a solid NHL backup goalie though. At the juniors Woll did have a 5 to 1 blowout game making many question his number one NHL potential.

Grade C +:
Goalies are the hardest to read this early and also take the longest to develop. A project but at low risk in the 3rd round.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2y4PnRiIp4w&feature=youtu.be

12) Tie! Center Adam Brooks and defenseman Andrew Nielsen are both from the WHL and are later picks going in the 4th round 2016 and the third round 2015 respectively. It is still too early to say which player is better or furthur along in their development since defenders always take longer to learn their game. While Nielsen may have skating and defensive concerns, Brooks hasn't exactly lit up the AHL the way Nielsen did scoring 14 goals in his first year. Both prospects need to go on slow cook and are long shots to ever play with The Toronto Maple Leafs. Nielsen likely has an NHL future but is it a top 5 defenseman with Toronto? Brooks on the other hand is a center and has little competition from within the organization, if he does develop over the next 2 years his character, leadership and position played could land him a job on 4th line.

Grade B- :
Projects with some potential who need at least one more year in the AHL. Leaf management stated apparently that " Nielsen is near NHL ready." at the Leafs camp in 2017.

13) Calle Rosen is a free agent signing from Sweden and a defender who is 23 playing in the AHL with the Toronto Marlies. Rosen is an 7/8th defender depth signing. There isn't much to get about excited in Rosen's game but he can skate.

Grade C:
Could still play in the NHL but is now a long shot.

We now enter the twilight zone: These prospects are projects who if properly developed may some day play in the NHL and if they do it will be all gravy.

14) Dymtro Timashov is yet another small, skilled winger who was taken in 5th round in 2015. He is currently in the AHL with the Marlies and needs at least one more year before he can play NHL. He is a possible injury fill player from the 5th round. Timashov is buried beneath depth from the likes of Johnson, Bracco, Grundstrom and Korshkov not to mention recently graduated first rounder Kasperi Kapanen.Timashov has shown well in the AHL playoffs and may be a rising prospect.

Grade C+
Most 5th rounders never play in the NHL. At least he has a shot somewhere in the future 32 team NHL.

15) Ian Scott was a 4th rounder in 2017 who plays goal on a bad WHL team. The good news is at least he sees lots of rubber and his individual play has been good.

Grade C+ :
Too early to tell, good potential on a weak team. Of all the players in the bottom 13, Scott still has some great potential and could be the sleeper. As of October 20 2018 Ian Scott was 10-1-1 with a .942 save percentage and is climbing the charts.

16) Frederick Gauthier is a big 4th line defensive center from the Nonnis era 2013. He has played some NHL games but it doesn't look good for him playing under Babcock. He has hit make or break time next camp.

Grade C- :
For a 17th overall pick who now has at best a 50/50 chance of getting 4th line next year or being dumped as an add on in a trade such as Rychel and Valiev were.

17) James Greenway taken in the 4th round, is a big 6ft 4 inch, 205 lb. defender in college right now, who can skate well for a man his size. He took part off this year off to deal with some personal issues. Take it for what you will but Craig Button on TSN called J Greenway " A steal !" shortly after the draft.

Grade C :
Still too early to tell and needs one more year of college play to properly assess. Potential is there for an NHL top 6 defender.

Pierre Engvall
18) Engvall is a 6ft 4 inch 200lb. LW from the 7th round in 2014. He is Swedish and currently playing effectively and scoring with the Toronto Marlies. He is only 21 and has been developing over in Sweden. He has good chance to make the NHL and be a 15 to 20 goal scorer.

Grade B: Once again Toronto may have found a gem in the 7th round.

Martins Dzierkals hockey player photo

19) Martin Dzerkals is.. you guessed it, a small, skilled right winger playing very little with the AHL Toronto Marlies. He is a 4th rounder from the 2015 draft who has drawn comparisons to a certain Detroit Hall of Famer , Pavel Datysuk. He may stand an outside chance with Babcock but he has a long way to go yet.

Grade C:
A 4th rounder who is a long shot to ever play in the NHL. The Leafs must decide whether to re sign him or let him return to Latvia potentially losing his rights.

Honourable mention: LW Vladislav Kara was taken in the 4th round in 2017 at the 124th pick. He is currently playing in the VHL. From Maple Leaf hotstove: With an April 1998 birthdate, the 6’1, 187-pound Kara was passed over in last year’s draft. He split the 2016-17 season between the VHL with Bars Kazan and the MHL with Irbis Kazan. In the MHL (the Russian junior league), he posted 11 goals and 20 points in 31 games and a further five points in seven playoff games.

Kara was unranked by all of the major scouting services.

Mark Hunter’s Take

A big, strong winger that plays a two-way game and can handle pucks. He drives the net.

Departed : Winger Rychel and defenseman Valiev. Valiev slipped from " He is our best defensive prospect" to almost nowhere as Toronto's depth raced past him. Rychel is a borderline NHL 'er acquired for Scott Harrington. A former first rounder who wasn't going to play for Toronto. Gone to Montreal. Best of luck guys.

Numbers By Position Centers: 3
Wingers: 7
Defenseman : 8
Goalies: 2

Organizational Strength : Our wing position is now totally loaded and our defense also has good depth with at least one blue chip in Liljegren and Sandin plus some very interesting projects such as Rasanen, Durzi and Gordeev who have both size and grit something the Maple Leafs clearly need..

Organizational Weakness : At center Toronto has Miro Altonen(returned to play overseas), Adam Brooks and Frederick Gauthier but no top 9 talent in this critical position. Another need is a top 6 power forward. Toronto has plenty of speed and skill but need to beef up for the defense of teams like Tampa Bay and Boston.In the 2018 draft this weakness continued but the signing of Tavarres gave them time to fill that 4C hole as they would likely not be playing much anyway.

Needs some work : Goaltending is probably the most important position in hockey and as of yet neither Woll or Scott can be called a number one. Hunter likes to use later round picks on goalies, so taking one per draft late may work out as a longterm strategy since goalies take the longest to develop and are the hardest to read at the age of 18. GM Kyle Dubas added a late Goalie pick in Zachary Bouthillier continuing a cautious trend of picking Goaltending picks late.

Toronto Maple Leaf organizational grade: B:

The Maple Leafs have now plundered their once bountiful prospect pool. As it stands right now, there are at least 10 NHL teams with a better prospect pool than the Maple Leafs. Toronto does have some future NHL top 9 forwards and potential top 4 to top 5 defenseman. The Maple Leafs have first round 2017 Timothy Liljegren and now first round pick 2018 Rasmus Sandin left over and have added some depth in most positions while drafting a few very promising projects such as Eemili Rasanen, Durzi and Fedor Gordeev as well. Toronto have an over-abundance on the wings and good overall team depth on defense. Their current center core is young in Mathews, Kadri and Nylander but center depth still needs some work. Goaltending is a huge question mark right now with no clear number one goalie in the current pool although that could change. It isn't time to panic and use a 2nd rounder on a goalie yet and the take 'em late and make 'em wait approach may still work out for Hunter and now Dubas. As such, Toronto will likely focus on finding a top 9 Center or a top 6 power forward at next year's draft in June 2019 .

Darkhorse rising fast : Pierre Engvall.

Some fans miffed, some meh. Concede to Steve Yzerman.

It wasn't like Lou didn't have any competition on TD this year. Politically, he had to do something. At the end of the day the price on getting a McDonaugh was high and Yzerman, one of the best GM's in hockey was willing to pay at a time Lou wasn't. So, for a second round pick he landed Plekanec a 35 year old C to play 4th line and perhaps higher, if an injury occurs. He is a straight rental player and to be honest didn't look that thrilled about coming here, despite what the media may claim. The odds makers will now clearly favour Tampa Bay should the Leafs meet them in the playoffs. There are now fans saying the Leafs are still building, still have organizational gaps and have blown two 2nd rounders on two 4th line Centers of little impact and we aren't about to win anyway. And that is very true but when Mike Babcock flips out and says " How the hell do you expect me to beat that Tampa Lineup!!!?" Face it, Lou had to do something so he conceded to Yzerman and Babcock. The price was quite moderate in that this is an average draft. The last time we had a 2nd in that range we took Jeremy Bracco but in a much stronger draft class. The Leafs kept the higher 2nd rounder from San Jose and still have all their picks, unlike Tampa and Boston. Nash may or may not help Boston but does it put them past Tampa Bay? Yzerman won this round because he is going for it all now. Lou wins later in free agency and this summer. Toronto is now ready to river gamble and see what we have, as a complete underdog who isn't supposed to win this year anyway. Leaf fans will be happy to win one round, especially if it against Boston or even Washington.

The stars aren't quite aligning yet for Toronto.

One almost have to feel sorry for Lou right now. I'm not saying he has to make gold out of chop suey but he is damned if he does and damned if he doesn't at this years TD. Boston, Tampa and even Pitts are closer and looking. If that isn't bad enough, what Lou needs isn't in abundance yet but will be in Free agency later. Unlike the other teams in the East our window to win a cup is at least 5 years. So Lou has to outfox the likes of Yzerman in a year he doesn't need to. I will bet Lou is looking at Babcock and telling him " I have bad news Mike...." Lou has been on a tear, dumping Phaneuff, landing draft picks, acquiring Andersen and getting Boyle on the rental at a decent price. But good luck this year. The reason for no movement yet ? The prices are high and GM's are now looking for term when trading for guys in their prime. The only thing Lou can do strategically is dump contracts in lieu of the summer Free agent feeding frenzy and let the other GM's overpay. That means move the likes of Leivo and Martin while acquiring the likes of perhaps a 4th line C on the cheap. Will that make anyone happy ? Not now but in a few short months it will. If you are a Leaf fan, don't miss work for this years Trade deadline.

Andreas Johnsson's arrival creates a logjam at wing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83q8cK-a8uc Andreas Johnsson's first NHL goal. His smile goes viral!

Much like Connor Brown a past 5th rounder, Johnsson has exploded onto the scene from the 7th round. His play at the AHL level is arguably higher than Kapanen's was. But all Kapanen could do is get 4th line duty and bounce up and down. They also have Martin and Leivo sitting in the pressbox cheerleading. So, what is the problem ? 50 contracts plus there is no way Johnsson is a 4th liner, he is top 9 and screams it. Next year Korhskov, Grundstrom and likely Bracco will take over on the Marlies and Johnsson will simply be to good to keep down. The dilemna is can you trade Martin and Leivo just to make room for Johnsson? Does he play now or help the Marlies this year? He will most certainly steal a top 9 next year, bank on it much like Brown did. For certain it is a nice problem to have but someone must be moved by the summer to allow wiggle room. Lou and company may have their eye on a UFA this summer. When other teams call it will be " What about that Johnsson guy?" not Leivo. The price on Johnsson will not be a late first rounder like Leivo. Johnson is a gem from nowhere. Lou has the pieces, now we pull the trigger.

To note: Andreas had his Leaf debut March 14th versus Dallas. Congratulations Andreas ! He gets his first NHL goal against Montreal in his second game and was smiles all game. Looks like we found another sniper.

On November 25th 2018 Andreas Johnsson enters the arena and explodes for 3 goals in the first period, sealing the Flyers fate. Johnsson explodes for Hat trick in first !

Is it time for Lou to use some chips?

All of a sudden Toronto is looking at a 25th overall pick in an average draft. Lou also has 2 - 2nd round picks. The organization is blessed with a plethora of wingers and can't find playing time for the likes of Kapanen who has spotted 4th line, Leivo and now Martin. Next year Grundstrom and Korshkov likely arrive with the Marlies and Andreas Johnsson is ripping it up in the AHL demanding a look next year. Bracco has showed some promise as well. With the arrival of Travis Dermott the defense doesn't look to be the concern it used to be and Borgman has been a nice free find as well. The organization does have some weakness at Center, will Bozak return ? But Aaltonen has been playing well lately with the AHL Marlies. The point is will our late first land us a top 6 C or even a top 4 Defenseman? Not very likely and Dmen takes years to develop. Toronto can look at using a first rounder along with players like Leivo and a winger prospect, say a Bracco as real trade chips for what they need now? I would be willing to offer NYR our 2018 first, Leivo and perhaps even a Johnsson to get defenseman McDonough still in his prime at 28. We could alter that offer with Borgman instead of either Leivo or a winger prospect. Toronto has acquired a future stacked team and thus has an overabundance upfront they can never use. It also highly unlikely we get anything better at 25th overall in the draft than what we will get in our 2 - 2nd rounders. This is somewhat a similar situation to the Konecny for Dermott and Bracco trade. Lou has a chance here to use assets we can either afford to lose or may never get to use anyway. We also have 50 contracts. So, here is my offer:

Leivo, our first in 2018 draft, Borgman or Johnsson or even Bracco for McDonaugh. We may even have a team interested in Martin as well. The Leafs could go down one or even two contracts in the trade, creating space for UFA's this summer. The offer is fair and we can afford it while getting a defenseman in his prime who won't cost a fortune to resign. I think the Rangers would look and not many teams could match that offer.

Don't look now, Toronto is getting hot when it matters.

All of a sudden Babcock changes the lines putting Marner with Marleau and Kadri. He also pulled Matt Martin in favour of speedy Kapanen and the results? Scarry. All season fans criticized Babcock for his stubborn use of vets and his line combinations. Was he framing some of the vets for trade? Did Kapanen really need more time? We may never know. What we do know is a few minor alterations have had huge consequences as Toronto is suddenly hot right when it matters most. Last night Toronto impressed everyone beating the much vaunted Tampa Bay Lightning. Toronto has been kicking everyone except red hot Boston Bruins/ Rask and suddenly Lou will be looking for help down the stretch. Why? Because one very important sign is the play of a team down the stretch when the games matter and get toughest. In the past the Leafs consistently wilted now at the speed of light falling backwards in loss after loss. They would even invent new ways to lose. Last night, once again the difference was goaltending but we could say that since November, and many teams ride hot goaltending into the playoffs. Montreal even built their team around it but then couldn't get Price to help score as well. What is my point? When the playoffs start look at which teams have been hot down the last third such as 2 Time Stanley Cup Pittsburgh. The good teams know, and have always known that is when the games matter and the good teams gel and start to build momentum. The real season starts with the playoffs and right now the Leafs look top 5. It is now upto Lou as Babcock has done his magic and wants help. Babcock has forced Lou's hand and so have the Leafs, we are buyers!

The dilemna for Lou.

After the way he fleeced Ottawa, plucked Andersen and found Boyle the expectations for Lou to
" pull one off " will be high. Not just from many fans and the media but Babcock himself. Toronto now faces the likes of Tampa Bay, Boston, Pitts. and Washington in the playoffs and that is just to get into the cup finals. Rumours are Josh Leivo has now requested a trade as well. Mike Babcock has given Lou a list of demands since losing any year isn't in his DNA/ belief system. So, who is this player who can magically lift Toronto past the big 4 into Stanley Cup contention ? Karlsson maybe. Babcock has said he would love a defenseman perhaps a Jossi or a Subban or a Doughty or... opps let's stay real here! The cost for Karlsson will be high in trade, as will re - signing him. He has said " Show me the money this time...no discounts! " The fact he will want $12M per year and has had some injury issues will lessen his value right now. The demand for Karlsson will be Reilly or Gardiner plus Liljegren and a first rounder, potentially disrupting the team. The Leafs would have to send either Reilly or at least Gardiner just to afford Karlsson's stated future demands. So, where does that leave Lou who already fleeced Ottawa once dumping Phaneuf they surely don't want now, into their laps? It leaves him looking for the exact same thing all the other GM's want too. A cheap, potential top 4 defenseman rental type guy. Lou has some pieces he may recognize don't have a future in Toronto. Leivo being one, he also has 2 -2nd round picks this year. Karlsson seems a big summer trade and Ottawa will want full value for their franchise guy. So, somehow Lou has to turn Leivo a second round pick and another prospect into what everyone wants, including his excited coach? The fans will want a miracle and so will the media. I don't think it is time for Toronto to throw a first rounder this year into that mix.

I don't envy Lou's job right now, the team has played well lately, as asked for. Many fans want cup now ! Myself, I see it in the next 4 to 5 years but doubt a late season trade will have the impact many want.Well Lou, here is your rabbit, put in the magic hat and turn it into gold somehow or at least a big silver cup with all those names on it. Do you make the safer play or go for it now?