Maple Leafs Log: A Surprising Start for Toronto

Approaching the Maple Leafs first quarter of the NHL season, here's another point-form edition of Leafs Log.

1. The team has already had its ups and owns this season, struggling with consistency and occasional lapses in defensive play. I guess the upside is that most of the off-season pundits didn't expect any "ups."

2. The team has been reconfigured to be fast and tough to play against. Ask the Wings, Sens, Canadiens, Rangers and Devils if they expected an easy game against the Leafs.

3. Is it odd? The team was predicted to be strong defensively on the merit of Wilson's systemic coaching, and struggle to pot goals with a lack of forward talent. Instead the team is in the top half of the league in scoring, and the bottom half in goals against and save percentage.

3. Wilson and his assistants have been very steady behind the bench. Sure the special teams still suck—but it looks like the stagnated youth on the team are getting a fresh look and many are responding. The team is playing a spirited brand of hockey, the kind fans don't mind coming out to watch even if it results in a loss.

4. Hagman has been nothing short of brilliant. Sure he hasn't converted on many of the passes fed to him by Habs/Leafs rookie Grabovski—but his attitude on/off the ice has been very positive for the youngsters.

5. Mike Van Ryn (before his concussion) seemed to suddenly become fair compensation for McCabe in the eyes of Leafs sceptics—kudos to Fletcher from those non-believers.

6. Someone wrote this back in March, "I wouldn't be surprised to see Raycroft, McCabe, Blake, Bell, Stajan, and Wellwood in a different jersey come training camp." Not bad.

7. I don't expect Sundin to return to Toronto; I think he's looking for some playoff hockey.

8. Even with their surprising start, I still expect the team to finish in the bottom 10 and out of the playoffs. The team really needs to add some more cheap young scoring talent, and the only way to do it is through the draft.

Thanks for reading, and Go Leafs Go!

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