hockeyfan87 Posted August 24, 2013 Share Posted August 24, 2013 I'm interested to see some thoughtful discussion on this topic. With the way the new divisions are aligned I think there is a strong possibility they could miss the playoffs but will likely end up with one of the two wild card positions in the East. In the Maple Leaf's division I believe Boston, Detroit, Ottawa, and Montreal all have a realistic chance at finishing with more points than Toronto. This would mean Toronto would need more points than both Florida and Tampa Bay as well as all the non playoff teams in the other Eastern Division just to secure a playoff spot (the last wild card spot). The Leafs looked like they took a major step forward last year but it was on the backs of many players who overachieved (e.g. Kadri, Lupul). Can their young players repeat? How well do Dion Phaneuf and Phil Kessel play (both pending UFAs)? I'm rooting for the Leafs to miss the playoffs because despite liking a lot of their players (JVR, Lupul, etc.) I was not a fan of the way Burke was dismissed. Missing the playoffs this year would be completely unacceptable to the fan base, media, and ownership but considering that the ownership just gave Nonis a five year extension it would put them in a difficult bind. What do you guys think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sedin Power Posted August 24, 2013 Share Posted August 24, 2013 I think there is a possibility of them making it. They got good in the middle with bolland, Clarkson was a good addition and Berneir is good for there goaltending. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
euphoria/ Posted August 24, 2013 Share Posted August 24, 2013 yes, even though everybody loves to hate the leafs, they have great d-core and a solid group of forwards. the tandem of reimer and bernier should be interesting as well. the only way i see them making it is through the wild card slot. i believe kadri (if re-signed) and gardiner will have another great year and lupul and kessel with continue to perform well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tangelos Posted August 24, 2013 Share Posted August 24, 2013 Yea they have a solid team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Vintage Canuck- Posted August 24, 2013 Share Posted August 24, 2013 Probably. They have a good chance of making it again this year but my prediction is they will come up short of making the Playoffs in the end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tangerines Posted August 24, 2013 Share Posted August 24, 2013 No. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
22Sedinery33 Posted August 24, 2013 Share Posted August 24, 2013 No they will not, the only reason they made this past seasons playoffs was due to the condensed season Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanucksFanMike Posted August 24, 2013 Share Posted August 24, 2013 No I don't think they will because they are in a very competitive division. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smashian Kassian Posted August 24, 2013 Share Posted August 24, 2013 Maybe but I think last year alot of teams underachieved, I would be surprised to see Philly miss again. I think they don't make it but we will see, they certainly have a solid chance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darkstar Posted August 24, 2013 Share Posted August 24, 2013 Bruins, Sens and Wings got the top three seeds at this moment (if they're all relatively healthy). Leafs will battle for the wildcard spot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pears Posted August 24, 2013 Share Posted August 24, 2013 Yes. They traded for one of the best 3Cs in the NHL while only giving up picks, signed a top six forward, and got a potential starting goalie for very good value. Clarkson >> Frattin Bolland > McClement Bernier >> Scrivens They're a better team than last year IMO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horvat-is-Schneider Posted August 24, 2013 Share Posted August 24, 2013 I think they will knock out Detroit, and tie for points with ottawa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Master Mind Posted August 24, 2013 Share Posted August 24, 2013 I think they will. Bruins and Wings with top 2 seeds, then Leafs battling with the Habs and Sens, and ultimately taking the 4th spot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vv2 Posted August 24, 2013 Share Posted August 24, 2013 Entertaining hockey team they will progress and move forward from last years success Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ice orca Posted August 24, 2013 Share Posted August 24, 2013 They will start out of the gate quick and plan the parade, then hopefully crap the bed and miss the playoffs by 1pt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Swansons Moustache Posted August 24, 2013 Share Posted August 24, 2013 It's hard to say but I think they miss. Detroit and Columbus now in the east will push 2 more teams out of the picture. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hockeyfan87 Posted August 24, 2013 Author Share Posted August 24, 2013 Seems like a fairly even split. It's close but I think the Leafs overachieved last year and like one poster mentioned I think they looked better last year during a condensed season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DownUndaCanuck Posted August 24, 2013 Share Posted August 24, 2013 Replaced McCarther with Clarkson and Grabovski with Bolland. With Kadri, they've got some of the best center depth in the league (Kadri, Bozak, Bolland). A very big, physical bunch of power forwards up front. However their defence is thin, especially without Franson signed. O'Byrne is still a UFA and they probably don't have money to sign him along with Franson and Kadri so expect to see Reilly come in. Their goalies could go either way. A young tandem, could have great success like they did last season or bomb out, Bernier is not starting material just yet. They should finish around 5th in the conference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nuxfanabroad Posted August 24, 2013 Share Posted August 24, 2013 Like obviously, the wildcard is Syria. If Obama starts a war in Syria, & American thuggery continues to envelope the planet unabated, then yes, the Fleas will bully their way in to fight in spring. This terrorizing, pre-emptively violent style will permeate into our exciting sport, where every game becomes a death-match! Obama is Bush is bettman; Daley rhymes with Cheney! No time to check, sorry if this comment has already been made... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shazzam Posted August 24, 2013 Share Posted August 24, 2013 its hard to tell with such a young team but I think they should be able to make it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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