Reasons to believe. They’re deeper, they’re more experienced, they’re more talented,
The long-awaited, highly anticipated opening of the Maple Leafs’ regular season is finally here. Here are six reasons to think they could make a deep run in the spring.
DEPTH
While there were some solid battles for jobs in training camp, the Leafs’ season-opening roster unfolded according to expectations. There were at least 12 players who had legitimate opportunities to crack the lineup. Those who didn’t make the cut were sent to the Marlies, or placed on waivers with the intent to send them to the American Hockey League affiliate, and will provide the Leafs with arguably more options than ever.
SUPER SOPHOMORES
The Big Three — Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and Mitch Marner — not only succeeded during their rookies seasons in the NHL, they excelled. Matthews won the Calder Trophy, while Nylander and Marner placed high in the voting for top rookie. All three finished in the top five in team scoring and the top four in NHL rookie scoring, and each recorded at least 60 points — only the second time in NHL history a trio of first-year players from the same team accomplished that feat. There’s reason to expect even more this season.
EXPERIENCE
The Leafs remain a relatively young club, even with veterans such as Patrick Marleau, Dominic Moore and Eric Fehr all in their mid-to-late 30s. The core of rookies that propelled last year’s team now has a year of experience — and a round of playoffs — under its belt. That should serve them well if another post-season appearance comes to fruition.
FRONT-LINE BLUELINERS
This may be the year Leafs fans see tremendous output from their blue line. Morgan Rielly and Jake Gardiner are now veterans in Toronto, and both are poised to enter all-star levels in their career paths. Ron Hainsey comes with Stanley Cup championship experience, while Nikita Zaitsev says he wants to show Toronto he is the top defenceman the organization thinks he can be. They are also deep, with Travis Dermott, Andrew Nielsen and Swedish prospects Calle Rosen and Timothy Lil- jegren headed to the Marlies and not far from contributing to the big club.
ANDERSEN’S HEALTHY
Freddie Andersen reportedly had a tremendous off-season and will hit the ground running this season after a full training camp, a luxury he didn’t have last year after suffering a shoulder injury in an Olympic qualifying game. He should also be prepared for another heavy workload — his 66 games last season were second only to Edmonton’s Cam Talbot (72).
MARLEAU A GREAT FIT
There’s no question 38-year-old forward Patrick Marleau has found a good home in Toronto. He remains a classy veteran with an elite level of performance still on tap. He’s starting the season on a line with Nazem Kadri and Leo Komarov, but observers feel that may change at some point in the season. His leadership, and the example he can set — and convey — to Matthews will be invaluable.