NHL Toronto Maple Leafs 2010-2011: Didn't We All Expect This?

Loser of 8 in a row.

Shut out in 5 of only 22 games so far.

A team with very little offense, decent defense that can only do so much without scoring and developing goaltending. A team that would be competitive in most games and possible fight for a playoff spot. The Toronto Maple Leafs. That is what the team is right now and funny enough, that is what most people expected coming into the season.

Why all the anguish and longing right now then?

Isn't this what the entirety of Leaf Nation expected? Leaf fans were all ready to endure a season where they grew and pushed for a playoff spot but ultimately didn't expect all that much. The Leafs, as they always do, had to go and disappoint us however.

Winners of 4 straight to start the season, Leaf Nation was in a tizzy. Could they really be this good? We all held our breath collectively and even though somewhere in the back of our minds logic tried to assert itself, fantasy triumphed and won over Leaf Nation. People went crazy. After all Leaf fans had endured for the past 5 seasons, this little group of games gave hope that hadn't been seen in a long time. Some crazy fool even created a Facebook event planning the parade on June 14th (no doubt a joke that got out of hand).

But then things took a turn for the worst. After starting out as the hottest team in hockey, we took a turn down the other road. The coldest team in hockey. Number 1 defenseman Dion Phanuef went down and the team just fell like a rock. Weaknesses began to be exposed. Little scoring outside of Kessel, MacArthur and Kulemin.

Wasn't that what we expected though? A team that had a tough time scoring but played relatively competitively. Exactly what the team has been presenting itself as at the moment.

Leaf fans shouldn't despair. The state of the team isn't truly hopeless as many will lead you to believe. Chin up Leaf Nation, there is still hope.

Contrary to popular belief, the Leaf's defense is growing stronger every game. Luke Schenn is developing into one of the game's best and showing why Fletcher placed so much faith in him by drafting up to get him. Those Seabrook - Schenn comparisons are not looking so out of place anymore. Phaneuf has also been great. While his numbers might speak to the contrary, he has played far better than they lead one to believe. Its not a coincidence that when Phaneuf went down, that the penalty kill went down with him.

Nazem Kadri, in his short time on the team, has been great. While he hasn't scored, he has shown an apt ability to be a playmaker and a willingness to try things and learn, exactly what is needed out of him right now. While he isn't going to take the Leafs to the playoffs by himself anytime soon, he represents a bright part of the future.

Jonas Gustavsson has been great, growing more and more with every game. With a GAA of 2.45 and a SV% of .917, he is developing into the starter Burke envisioned when signing him. Keeping on the goalie trend, Rynass, Reimer and Scrivens have been great as well. Rynass and Reimer have been stunning on a losing Marlies team and Scrivens has been solid for the Reading Royals. What's more, coming up to the AHL after Reimer was called up as a backup to the Leafs, he won both games he started. The three represent a strong goalie stable for the future, one that is built on competition.

Keeping with the prospects, players like Greg McKegg, Brad Ross, and Josh Nicholls have all had strong starts in the CHL and represent the future for the Leafs offense.

Keep strong Toronto. The future is not as bleak as some might suggest. It may be dark now, but as the saying goes darkness comes before the light. We can survive.