Toronto Maple Leafs: Eastern Conference Picture: Where Might They Fit In?

There once was a story about a little engine that could and another one about the tortoise and the hare along with one from the bible called David and Goliath.

The Leafs could finish first, but obviously that's quite the pipe dream!

Every Leafs fan would take a little hit off of that, and yeah, we've all had visions of grandeur.

Certainly no fan of the Blue and White believe they will be amongst the basement dwellers and Brian Burke has really started to tune this team to his liking in the last year.

But it’s not that far fetched to think that the Buds could make the playoffs though certainly a tough road but the Leafs will be no cake walk for other teams.

The East has added depth and may be the stronger conference in the NHL which has been dominated by the West for a number of years.

So, who's projected to make the playoffs?

Let’s go through the divisions, and this is barring any major injuries to all the stars and starting goalies and so forth.

Atlantic:

Pittsburgh is going to be there, that's a given in my mind.

Philadelphia seems like a pretty strong candidate but lost some depth.

New Jersey: I have to wonder if Brodeur may be heading for a groin injury or something similar that's age related. I can't see Marty playing as many games as he has over his career. NJ may struggle and Kovalchuk once signed doesn't play defense and really doesn't fit into what NJ has been over the years, we all saw last year’s playoffs.

New York Rangers are difficult to assess yet, they have talent but underachieve constantly.

New York Islanders are still building and should be on the outside looking in again, but will give some teams some problems as they did last year.

In/*Div winner: *Pit, Philly.

Good Chance: NJ

Chance: NYR

Out: NYI

Southeast:

Washington will be as strong as last year if not better (if possible) as they have grown as a group and Ovie will be wowing along with the star studded cast they have there. I look for the young goalie Semyon Varlomov to have a great season!

Atlanta has grown by leaps and bounds as has Tampa Bay. Both should be firmly entrenched in the playoff picture. Both team’s goalie situations with (Atl) Ondrej Pavelec (with Chris Mason) and (TB) Mike Smith (with Dan Ellis) will be strong.

Carolina can do damage and are a question mark but the health of the team has been the issue in the past couple seasons but they are certainly a dark horse team.

Florida is rebuilding and has put some pieces in place for the future, for the future!

In/Div winner: *Wash

Good Chance: TB Atl

Chance: Car

Out: Fla

Northeast:

Buffalo rode the back of Ryan Miller and have a good back end with now sophomore and reigning Calder Trophy winner Tyler Myers. The question on the team is up front with scoring, though they scored 235 goals last year. The Sabre's will likely make it but winning the division again is up in the air.

Ottawa certainly has the talent up front but between the pipes and on the back end is where the issues lie. Brian Elliot has shown sparks as has Pascal Leclaire but nothing definitive.

Boston is still a small team but has grit and goal tending with Tuuka Raask, still a solid team and will compete night in and night out. Scoring on home ice was a major issue for this team last year and that has to be addressed, how, good question!

Montreal, the Price is WRONG! This is a small speedy team, how they made it as far as they did in the playoffs is beyond me, oh yeah Halak. Like a Jose Bautista ball over the left field wall in the Rogers Centre... She GONE! Montreal will have a hard time making the playoffs in a competitive physical division and conference.

In/Div Winner: ???

Chance: Buf, Ottawa, Bos.

Out: Mtl

Toronto???

Toronto: With that huge mouthful of speculation said it now leaves us with the Toronto Maple Leafs and how they fit in the picture.

Training camp and the finalized roster up front is the huge question. The back end is very solid no matter how you slice it, one of the best on paper in my humble opinion. Between the pipes The Monster and Giggy are a solid tandem as Gustavsson will just improve as he has so far with the Buds and Toskala the sieve is gone, amen!

I look for the Leafs to play a lot of tight checking games in the true Ron Wilson style of hockey with grit and physical play the GM Burke so cherishes. Led by a Captain, Dion Phaneuf who is grit personified, which the Leafs were without last season they certainly could slide into a playoff spot.

Leafs Camp to start Sept 10th!

Many of you posted comments on my last article as to what the line up and where some of the youth and new acquisitions fit in, well I leave it to you then as to where the Leafs fit in the playoff picture!

I am of course hoping on 7th or 8th with a bunch of bounces going the Leafs way, again hoping!

Side notes: Sjostrom's off season shoulder surgery will keep him out of training camp and will most likely leave him behind the rest to start the season and he will have to play catch up.

Hanson signed to a one year two way contract and that leaves the Leafs with no unsigned players now.

Leaf Nation Prayer: OH dear hockey gods please change the Leafs theme song, Alan Frew SUCKS! Amen!

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