Toronto 2007-2008 Season Preview
Leafs Nation Report (Toronto) - The Toronto Maple Leafs will have Jason Yu entering his third term as general manager. There are several fresh new faces this season, beginning from the top with the hiring of head coach Tom Renney. With Renney behind the bench, the Leafs will see a more organized system to their play with Renney’s intricate systems such as the left wing lock and high zone pressure defense system. It is also expected that under Renney’s systerm, the younger players such as Andrej Meszaros, and Nathan Horton will be relied on heavily in order for the Leafs to return to the playoffs this season.
Brendan Shanahan will have some help this season guiding a relatively young team with the signings of Philippe Boucher and Gary Roberts and the acquisition of Darcy Tucker. However, despite all the pressure one may find in a hockey crazed town as Toronto, the Leafs failed to sign a high marquee player despite high profile Jarome Iginla and Jaromir Jagr being available this off-season. Nevertheless, there is still optimism entering the season with the emergence of star goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury having signed a new two year deal. After playing backup to Ed Belfour last season, Fleury will enter his first season as the undisputed starter. The team’s success will rely on Fleury’s goaltending should they have a chance to proceed into the playoffs.
Forwards
The Blue and White have much improved their forward position having acquired veterans Tucker and Roberts. However, they still lack a true offensive threat especially down the middle with Stoll, Weiss and Boyes centering the top three lines. However, their strength will come along the boards. With gritty forwards such as Brendan Shanahan, Nathan Horton, Raffi Torres, Darcy Tucker and Gary Roberts, Toronto continue to rely on their crash-and-bang style of play along the boards to win games.
The projected lines at the forward position are as follows:
Tucker-Stoll-Shanahan
The top line this season will provide a solid two-way positional game. Although many pundits feel that Horton and Shanahan would compliment each other providing power on both sides of the rink, Tucker will provide a distraction that should alleviate the pressure from Shanahan. Stoll’s two way ability should allow Shanahan to cheat more offensively, and oppurtunize on turnovers that is expected with Tucker’s tenacious fore-checking.
Roberts-Weiss-Horton
What the team lacked last season was a formidable second line. The team has a lot of faith in Weiss’s potential, promoting him from the third line. Weiss should have no problem providing offence having played with Steve Bernier last season. Therefore, it is safe to predict that playing alongside Horton should produce the same effect, if not more. Veteran Roberts will provide his take-no-prisoner style on the other wing. Expect Weiss to have a breakout season being able to maximize his playmaking abilities with two power forwards on either side.
Torres-Boyes-Antropov
The third line features a well balanced line. Torres will be depended on as the catalyst while both Boyes and Antropov have exceptional two way ability. Antropov is expected to utilize his big body along with Torres pest-like qualities could cause havoc for teams. Boyes has under-rated offense which could compliment with both wingers also having untapped offense. Don’t be surprise that this line could be the wild card for the Blue and White.
Winchester-Petersen-Laraque
This year’s team depth is not as apparent this year with the departure of rookie Bernier. As a result, the fourth line may not see much playing time as last year. Laraque is still known as the league’s top enforcer and will be relied on to turn the momentum of games with his fists. Sophomore Winchester will need to play like his size. However, do expect this line to see a revolving door with Thoresen also in the mix.
Reserve
Thoresen
Defense
This season’s biggest acquisition, Philippe Boucher, will be expected to fill the void left by the departure of Jiri Fischer. The signing of Boucher completely changes the dynamic of Leafs defense this season. Not only does he provide much needed leadership stability and veteran presence in the backend but also he will alleviate some attention away from upcoming youngster Andrej Meszaros. It also brings in another rare right shooting defenseman to the fold (Greene being the other). Both Allen and Exelby emerged last season with their outstanding defensive performances. Their physical presence contributed greatly to the team’s success despite an otherwise thin defensive core. However, the two intimated opposing forwards playing physical shutdown defence. With the re-signing of Luke Richardson and return of sophomore Matt Greene, the team expects to continue their success playing intimidating physical defensive hockey in their own end. However, the upgrade of Boucher provides a new dimension that the team never had since Yu’s reign at the helm.
Exelby-Boucher
After training camp, many were surprised to see Garnett Exelby in place of Meszaros on the top line to compliment Boucher. Exelby did lead the team in plus/minus with +21. Boucher’s offensive prowress should compliment Exelby’s defensive capabilities. Do not be surprised if this unusual pairing excel this season.
Meszaros-Allen
The second pairing is almost a carbon copy of the first pairing, with an offensive-minded defenseman pairing with a physical shutdown defenseman. Meszaros will be shielded from playing against the top lines night in and night out as he had last season. Also, with physical presence of Allen, expect fewer liberties on Meszaros as in the past. Meszaros could excel in this new role, with the ability to provide more offense and less attention on defending against the opposition’s top line.
Richardson-Greene
The third line will start with forty-two year old Richardson pairing with twenty-four year old Greene. Despite their age difference, both play similar styles: simple and physical defense. Greene could possibly avoid the much hyped “sophomore jinx” with Richardson as a mentoring linemate. Both players could also see time on the penalty killing unit.
Reserve
Paestch, Wozniewski
Goaltending
Fleury
Brathwaite
Rinne
The Maple Leafs will enter the season in unchartered territory with the departure of veteran Ed Belfour to Chicago. It marks the end of an era. However, it may signify the beginning of another with the emergence of Marc-Andre Fleury. Fleury produced solid numbers as backstop to Belfour last season with a 11-7-2 record and a respectable .918% saving percentage. There is little room for error with the success of Leafs this season could rely on the shoulders of the young twenty three year old. To add further pressure, there will be no safety blanket with the team having only Brathwaite and Rinne as backups.
Outlook
The outlook for this upcoming 2007-2008 season looks promising. The Blue and White have added veteran presence with the acquisition of three key veterans in Roberts, Tucker and Boucher. They will continue to have stellar goaltending with young emerging Fleury between the pipes. However, it is not a guarantee as this will be Fleury’s first season as a starter. The additions of veteran presence up front should provide a more calm effect to the young upcoming players. There is definitely a good mixture of the old and new; toughness and finesse. In addition they possibly have a potent second line to support their top line. The defense will continue with the familiar recipe that has brought much success last season: physical, gritty, defensive intimidation. They have added another element to their game with Philippe Boucher. Also do not be surprise rookie Nathan Paetsch could steal a regular roster spot with his offensive playmaking skills from the blueline. However, what is most distressing is their inability to acquire a marquee elite player that can be a game-breaker in crucial games. It is this crucial piece that separates them from playoff contender to being Stanley Cup favourite.
Prediction
OTHL: Northeast Divison: 5th, Eastern Conference: 13th
Leafs Nations: Northeast Divion: 3rd, Eastern Conference: 7th; Playoffs: 2nd round