The last time the Leafs were in the playoffs, i distinctly remember where I was, if only I knew that i wouldn't have That Thrill™ for a very long time.
Let us start with the obvious. The leafs are one of two teams to have not made the playoffs since the lockout (yes, now we are being compared to that sorry excuse for a franchise in Florida.) In total, that would be six straight seasons. We are due for the post season.
A Hart Trophy candidate. Every other team has had one in the last decade... why can't we? It is about time Phil Kessel starts playing like the superstar we all know he can be, whether he has a centre that can set him up or not, he should have more of an impact on the game at both ends of the ice. Yes, it would be awesome to see Naz on the first line with Phil and Lupul, but that won't happen until Tim Connoly fractures a finger or rolls his ankle getting out of bed (for those of you that don't follow Buffallo the Leafs acquired a human feather in Tim Connoly.) But basically,Phil Kessel is due to score 40 goals.
A good goaltender. A good goaltender has not been in Toronto since Eddy the Eagle, and he was really only good in 02-03. However, last years late "playoff" push brought us James "Optimus Reim" Reimer, and boy was he fun to watch. He was called up J.S. Giguere was suffering from "I'm playing in Toronto, do i have to try" syndrome and Jonas Gustavsson was complaining that his pads were made of trampolines that aimed the puck onto the oppositions sticks and that his chest protector actually had holes in it? Anyway, Optimus Reim went 20-10-5 last season with 3 shutouts, a 2.60 GAA and a .921 save percentage, it would be pretty awesome if he could keep that up for a whole season. The Leafs are due for a top 10 goaltender.
A highlight reel goal from Nazem Kadri. Come on Naz!! You have all of these preseason and Junior dangles, why can't you do it in the show? Oh yeah, 10 goals would be nice too... Naz is due for a few beautiful goals.
A whole season without heartbreak. Oh, wait, nevermind...
Anyways, the Leafs lead off the season tomorrow against the Canadians. I won't be able to watch the game because I will be somewhere in the Pacific Ocean, which may be a good thing because if you recall the Leafs went 4-0 to start the last season... and we all know how that turned out. A good start would be nice, but in the long run it doesn't mean much.
GO LEAFS GO
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