Toronto Maple Leafs: Bright Future Ahead Or Taste of The Future Now?

43 points. 51 games. 28th Place. It's looking pretty grim for Brian Burke and his Maple Leafs right now, don't you think?

Brian Burke said with confidence at the beginning of the year that the Toronto Maple Leafs would make the playoffs for the first time in 2010 since the pre-lockout era. Over halfway into the season and the Leafs are in 14th in the conference. Maybe you shouldn't be too confident next time, eh Burkey? And to add to the Leafs dismal season, they are without their 2010 1st round draft pick. And their 2nd round pick. Oh wait, I almost forgot. No 1st round pick for the Leafs in 2011 either. Well, at least they have Phil Kessel.

So they have a potential 40 goal scorer and former 1st round (5th overall) draft choice. What else do they have? Well, they have Jonas "The Monster" Gustavsson. Unfortunately, he's playing like another goalie Leafs fans love to hate (his name shall not be mentioned, but I'm sure you can guess). They have Rickard Wallin. He has 3 assists in 35 games. Need I say more? Another 5th overall pick, Luke Schenn has maybe been coming along lately, but I'll just wait until his next turnover spree to bash him.

Let's try to look at the bright side here. The Leafs have signed four guys out of college/Sweden whom otherwise would have been 1st-2nd round picks, and an actual 1st rounder (7th overall). Tyler Bozak seems to clicking with Kessel. Viktor Stalberg has shown flashes of brilliance. Chris Hanson is a gritty, determined player. I have already mentioned Gustavsson, out of Sweden, who has been better than you-know-who (No, not Voldemort. Try again), but sub-par compared to most other goalies. Nazem Kadri, the Leafs' 2009 draft choice, is playing well with his London Knights and looked really good alongside Taylor Hall playing for Canada at the WJC. So yes, there is potential for the leafs. 

From a business perspective, things couldn't be better. The Leafs could put my houseleague team on the ice at the ACC and still sell out. There is also some maneuvering room for Burke with regards to the salary cap to help the Leafs build through free agency.

For now, the Leafs are not going anywhere. But they do have a bright future. So perk up Leafs fans, it could be worse. We could be Oilers fans.