It's that time again..
It doesn't seem like all too long ago when I was writing about the end to the 2005-2006 season for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The year didn't seem to start out with too much promise for the Leafs, with many predicting their aging bodies wouldn't be able to keep up in the newer fast-paced NHL. That coupled with injuries made for a very long season for us Leaf fans. Sure they showed signs of greatness, especially near the end of the campaign, but it wasn't enough. They were unable to sneak in to the playoffs as some other teams were. Even if they did get in, truthfully they wouldn't have done much.
The results of last year ended up with plenty of change coming into this year. Most notably gone is the coach, Pat Quinn, replaced by Toronto Marlies head coach Paul Maurice. Quinn did an admirable job as coach of the Leafs from 1998-2006. In all but the final year he got the team into the playoffs, and was runner-up for the Jack Adams trophy for coach of the year in 98.
Also gone from the team are many players, who seemed to only be patches to fill spots and save money with the newly introduced salary cap last year. Those players include forwards Jason Allison and Eric Lindros and others. Forward Tie Domi, defenceman Aki Berg and goaltender Ed Belfour have also departed. The Leafs have replaced the likes of them with forwards Mike Peca, defencemen Pavel Kubina and Hal Gill and goalie Andrew Raycroft.
Will these players restore the team to the days before my birth when they one the Stanley Cup once upon a time? Likely no. I do believe it is likely they can make the playoffs this year if they remain healthy and the younger players can step up their play when called upon.
Alas, this squad isn't a champion. They are but an attempt to further improve the likes of Alex Steen, Matt Stajan, Kyle Wellwood and other young ones. The future is not quite now. In Leaf-land we finally have something to look forward to with our young players, however. Justin Pogge is our future in goal and is someone we can definitely build a champion around. The Leafs aren't going the route of a drastic overhaul of their team as many teams have, but seem to be adjusting piece by piece to further their agenda.
I'm aware of this and I realise a championship isn't on the horizon any time in the near future. I will however hope, as ever Leaf fan before me has had to do. I will hope I can call my team a Stanley Cup Champion. One day...
Peace.
posted by Sean @ 12:59 AM
Comments: 9
