The Atlantic Division is shaping as much as be one of many hardest within the NHL. Having made the playoffs for eight straight seasons, the Toronto Maple Leafs are once more anticipated to compete for the highest spot. Nevertheless, they’ve but to win the division on this period of gamers—a aim they’ll doubtless set for this season.
Successful the division may present a extra beneficial playoff matchup, however the early a part of the season will likely be essential. Implementing head coach Craig Berube’s new system and magnificence could take time, however the inner competitors for spots ought to push the crew to carry out strongly from the outset. If the goaltending holds up, it’s doable.
Merchandise One: Within the Atlantic Division, Questions Linger for Toronto
Because the common season approaches, the Atlantic Division stays some of the aggressive in hockey. Final season, 4 groups surpassed 98 factors, and the Maple Leafs are anticipated to be within the combine once more. Nevertheless, essential questions in regards to the lineup stay. Who will solidify the second-line heart position? How will the revamped blue line carry out? And maybe most significantly, can the Maple Leafs depend on the tandem of Joseph Woll and Anthony Stolarz to hold them by the season?
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The crew may have time to adapt to Berube’s new system, however with depth and expertise, early consistency would be the key to success on this aggressive division. It’s an extended season. As I counsel later on this publish, avoiding damage is likely one of the most necessary features of the crew. A lot luck is concerned.
Merchandise Two: Anthony Stolarz Is a Goalie Prepared for Alternative
Veteran goaltender Anthony Stolarz, now 30, has been one of many preseason standouts. After making 15 saves in his newest recreation, he’s proven he might be a dependable accomplice to Joseph Woll. Stolarz made a highlight-reel save on Vladimir Tarasenko, exhibiting his calm, composed type within the web. Maple Leafs followers are additionally starting to understand his quiet, down-to-earth persona off the ice.
Whereas Woll is predicted to be the starter, questions on his sturdiness have opened the door for Stolarz to play a extra distinguished position. Final season, Stolarz began 24 video games, his career-high, and he is likely to be prepared for an expanded workload if Woll faces any setbacks. He’s positive seemed good up to now within the preseason. Is he prepared for prime time? In that case, the Maple Leafs may flip what appears problematic on paper right into a crew power.
Merchandise Three: Knies’ Greatest Power Is Enjoying with Matthews & Marner
Enjoying alongside elite forwards like Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner calls for a novel mix of talent, measurement, and hockey IQ. As seen with earlier Maple Leafs initiatives like Nick Ritchie, not everybody can deal with the problem. Nevertheless, Matthew Knies has confirmed that he has what it takes.
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Former Maple Leafs GM Gord Stellick was impressed by Knies’ efficiency in the course of the 2023 Playoffs, likening him to gamers like Patrick Hornqvist and Michael Bunting, who succeeded alongside stars. Knies’ mixture of physicality, intelligence, and the power to match the pace of play has secured his spot on the highest line, making him an important a part of the Maple Leafs’ offence because the 2023-24 season begins.
Merchandise 4: 3 Causes Nicholas Robertson Made the Crew
Nicholas Robertson earned a spot on the Maple Leafs roster out of coaching camp for 3 key causes. First, he had a standout preseason, scoring 5 objectives and proving he has the expertise and drive to contribute, particularly after Tyler Bertuzzi’s departure. He seemed quick, robust, and frequently decided.
Second, he impressed head coach Berube, who praised Robertson’s work ethic, competitiveness, and talent. Berube believes Robertson’s drive will assist him succeed within the NHL, solidifying his position on the crew. On condition that Berube calls the pictures, impressing him needed to be Robertson’s greatest problem. He appears to have finished that. Good on him.
Third, Robertson signed a “guess on your self” contract, exhibiting his willpower to make the roster. If the Maple Leafs remained iffy about his skills, his robust preseason efficiency tipped the scales in his route. Robertson has positioned himself as a key offensive contributor heading into the common season.
What’s Subsequent for the Maple Leafs?
In reflecting on my The Hockey Writers colleague Ben Fisher’s current piece about three Maple Leafs’ three offseason enhancements, I couldn’t assist however consider the unlucky story of John Klingberg’s quick and finally unsuccessful stint with the crew. It’s a reminder that Maple Leafs’ common supervisor Brad Treliving has usually taken probabilities on injured defencemen—simply as he did with Klingberg final season and now with Jani Hakanpaa this season. Let’s hope that Hakanpaa’s scenario seems extra favourably.
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For followers who may not keep in mind, Klingberg had a promising begin final season, notching two assists within the season opener in opposition to the Montreal Canadiens. However issues shortly went downhill after that shiny starting. It’s unhappy to see such a gifted, offensively-skilled defenceman like Klingberg out of labor this season. Sadly, accidents are a merciless actuality within the NHL, usually deciding the course of a participant’s profession.
That very same luck—staying wholesome—has been essential for Robertson this season. After years of battling accidents that derailed his probabilities, he’s lastly wholesome and profiting from his alternative.
As we sit up for the season, let’s hope for the crew’s success in avoiding vital accidents. Whereas the chances are that somebody will get sidelined in some unspecified time in the future, the hope is that the depth will likely be there to step in. Finally, I’m rooting for all NHL groups to remain injury-free. In spite of everything, there’s nothing higher than seeing the perfect gamers competing in opposition to one another at their peak. That skill-on-skill show is what makes NHL hockey so darn thrilling.