Toronto Maple Leafs: No Rose Colored Glasses Here—Going, Going…

I will be honest with you, I was hesitant to write this article, but some friends convinced me to do it because I'm so passionate about Toronto sport teams.  I don’t know why the Leafs take up most of my sport thoughts, even though they have not won the elusive cup since I was in diapers. I can take solace in that at least I don’t pay the small fortune to go and watch the debacle at the Air Canada center. 

Even if I wanted to, the ridiculous thing is I probably couldn’t afford it or wouldn’t be able to find tickets for a game. There will be two groups who will comment on my article—those who will say I am not a real fan because of the pessimistic tone, and those who will admire the fact it’s the brutal truth...Whatever.

Okay, let’s move on.  The Leafs will not come even close to competing for the cup this year or next, plain and simple.  Heck, we should rejoice if they make the playoffs, which is still very questionable. The reason is simple: it’s a complete group effort, or lack thereof.

Goal:

Toskala has seen his saves percentage steadily decline since 2003 from 0.930 to 0.891 in 2008.  I will acknowledge he has had some short lived good runs, but so far his poor play far outweighs the good. In fact, his saves percentage was among the worst in the NHL last year and has spilled over into 2009.  This is due in part to the horrible defense, but some of it is due to just poor goal tending.  Blame it on injury, recovery, confidence, or whatever you want, but shouldn’t he find his stride in the minors rather than at the detriment of the big club? 

Now, we come to the Monster who has one NHL game under his belt.  Based on his preseason and lone NHL game, his time as official “Starter” will come.  He has the size, positioning, and flexibility to do the job.  His time will come, but right now it should be McDonald's job to lose.  This is a highly visible role and he should be eased in as a backup instead of being thrown to the wolves a.k.a. Leaf Fans and Media. That leaves us with McDonald as the starter by default who had a very good preseason, descent Marlies debut, and 0.901 saves percentage with the Islanders last year.  The starter role should be his to lose; or at the very least, don't declare one and rotate the goalies until one appears.

Defense:

So far—and yes, I know it’s early—but the pickups of Komisarek, Beauchemin, and Exelby have not improved the back end.  In fact, at this point the defense is worse than last year.  Komisarik went from running around like a mad man to being almost invisible.  He has had a penchant for taking numerous needless penalties and at the most inopportune time.  In fact, you might say he got this losing streak going by helping them lose the Habs game, which they should have won. 

Beauchemin is totally lost out there, so enough said.  Funny, how their names never came to mind last year when they were part of the visiting club as a “must have”.   It’s no wonder I was not jumping with glee when it was first mentioned that these guys were coming to Toronto.  I merely accepted it as fact. 

Exelby has played very little so I will reserve judgment.  Luke Schenn has the potential to be a top four defenseman on this team, but that time is not now and his brutal play of late supports this. The expectations are just too unrealistic for a young guy like him at this point in his career.

Offence:

After all the promises of earning your place with the big club, the forwards with talent have not really changed from late last year. In fact, it may have gotten worse with a "fighting" line occupying space and time. I personally feel the other forwards are still too small and too soft. 

In terms of skill, their single best forward wouldn’t make it as a regular on the first two lines of any playoff-bound contender.  Even if Phil Kessel is the real deal, to expect any significant improvement in offence or movement up in standing because of one guy is simply unrealistic.  Have we forgotten Sundin?

Coach:

Some of the decisions from Wilson have been absolutely puzzling to me.  I thought Wilson was a no nonsense tough coach who keeps his word, but he has turned out to be a big softy with no direction. 

When the preseason started, he vowed, with the exception of a few, that guys would have to earn their spot on the big club regardless of salary and past experience.  How did Mayers, Wallin, Exelby, Kulemin, and Primeau, make it?  How did Toskala earn a starter's role? 

Didn’t the kid line deserve a chance from the get-go with their play and enthusiasm?  Gunnerson had a decent camp, worked his backside off, and couldn’t do worse than the new guys, but where is he now?  Why do Leafs have a “fight” line?  Shouldn’t one of these guys be out with some talent to protect? 

There are a lot of questionable calls made by the coach, perhaps with the encouragement of the GM.  I believe if the coach had kept his word from the preseason, he would have sent a message loud and clear rather than having to issue one now.

GM:

No comment, yet.

It looks bleak right now, Leaf fans, but the future—in years—looks brighter.   I don’t wear rose colored glasses or stick my head in the sand.  If changes are not made soon, you can add the “Gone” to the title very soon for this season.