Leafs favorite for the Atlantic division this year?

[notDatsyuk]

Well last season was the worst in his career basically since he was a teenager.

He had :
47 in 70
41 in 52
60 in 73
then 40 in 74

Even including last year, the past 4 seasons his average is 57 goals / 82 games pace. If not for covid years he would get that respect. His norm is very close to a 60 goal scorer his entire current contract.

Very good, thanks. The poster I was responding to was really only talking actual goals, and I hadn't thought about the shortened seasons. So in response to his "when was the last time a player had two 60-goal seasons?", a reasonable answer (allowing for projection) would be "Matthews in '20-'21 and '21-'22.

I previously stated I think he gets back to the 50 goal range.

Right, which still makes the comment about 60 goals irrelevant.

As someone else just pointed out, if you extrapolate his '20-'21 season to 82 games, he was on pace for 64.

 

[AvroArrow]

Bergeron has announced his retirement.

Boston will drop this season in all probability, how far, it's hard to tell.

C depth is something like

Zacha
Coyle
Geekie
Patrick Brown.

To suggest that a team can drop 40 odd points in the standings seems ridiculous, yet here we are. IMO, this is a team that will struggle to be a Wild Card team now... no Bergeron, Krejci, Hall... The next question appears to be... what next? Too good to really replace the C depth through the draft, not good enough to compete for much longer. They've conditionally traded away their 2024 first round pick, which if top ten goes to 2025.... so they can't even trade either pick for a C such as Lindholm. Their prospect pool doesn't have a lot of quality to bring in compete now pieces either.

Maybe they get lucky in Free Agency next year?

I mean... as it currently stands.... oof... stolen from @Clownfish

View attachment 731036

That is one ugly forward group.

 

[Americanadian]

Right, which still makes the comment about 60 goals irrelevant.

As someone else just pointed out, if you extrapolate his '20-'21 season to 82 games, he was on pace for 64.

I think you misunderstood my sentiment. You asked me why I think Matthews' will improve upon his last season and why I don't think Nylander will. I stated that Matthews' had a down season and should return to his career norm. I stated that I don't think Matthews' will surpass his career season in 21/22, similarly I don't think Nylander will ever surpass his career season from 22/23. I am sorry for any confusion.

 

[keonsbitterness]

That is one ugly forward group.

I'll only believe they'll suck when I actually see it.

 

[notDatsyuk]

I think you misunderstood my sentiment. You asked me why I think Matthews' will improve upon his last season and why I don't think Nylander will. I stated that Matthews' had a down season and should return to his career norm. I stated that I don't think Matthews' will surpass his career season in 21/22, similarly I don't think Nylander will ever surpass his career season from 22/23. I am sorry for any confusion.

Ok, but why did you ask when was the last time a player has two 60-goal seasons?

Don't worry about it - it was a minor point at best.

 

[Maple Leaf]

I'll only believe they'll suck when I actually see it.

bruins dont need bergeron when they have the refs

 

[DKH]

Bruins cooked

Likely 7th or 8th and get Toronto or Carolina round 1

bruins dont need bergeron when they have the refs

refs all unfer the Bergeron spell - it’s over now

 

[TMLBlueandWhite]

I think they could win the Atlantic.

If everything goes right they could even win the President's trophy. It's not inconceivable they have a fairy tale year. In order for the sun and the moon and the stars to align the Leafs will need the following:

1. Samsonov & Woll to remain healthy and provide league average goaltending.
2. Klingberg to provide enough offense to overcome his defensive deficiencies.
3. Bertuzzi & Domi to score 20+ goals and 50+ points each.
4. Reaves to be a physical presence without being a detriment in every other way.
5. Rielly to perform up to his contract.
6. The bottom six to provide adequate secondary scoring.
7. The star players all have to provide leadership and step up in the big games.
8. Boston and Tampa to take steps back without Buffalo, Detroit, and Ottawa taking major leaps forward.
9. Keefe needs the team prepared to have a white hot start in October.
10. Treliving will need to be prepared to adjust on the fly, including firing the coach or making a major trade.

Many of these players will have to match their career bests. That's just to break even with recent year's success. Hoping for another record breaking season is a bit of a stretch but not entirely unrealistic.

It's a long season and anything can happen.

Go Leafs Go.

 

[conFABulator]

I think they could win the Atlantic.

If everything goes right they could even win the President's trophy. It's not inconceivable they have a fairy tale year. In order for the sun and the moon and the stars to align the Leafs will need the following:

1. Samsonov & Woll to remain healthy and provide league average goaltending.
2. Klingberg to provide enough offense to overcome his defensive deficiencies.
3. Bertuzzi & Domi to score 20+ goals and 50+ points each.
4. Reaves to be a physical presence without being a detriment in every other way.
5. Rielly to perform up to his contract.
6. The bottom six to provide adequate secondary scoring.
7. The star players all have to provide leadership and step up in the big games.
8. Boston and Tampa to take steps back without Buffalo, Detroit, and Ottawa taking major leaps forward.
9. Keefe needs the team prepared to have a white hot start in October.
10. Treliving will need to be prepared to adjust on the fly, including firing the coach or making a major trade.

Many of these players will have to match their career bests. That's just to break even with recent year's success. Hoping for another record breaking season is a bit of a stretch but not entirely unrealistic.

It's a long season and anything can happen.

Go Leafs Go.

That's a good list. #10, although true doesn't fit the rest of the list. If BT has to make a coaching change we are not winning the President's Trophy.

 

[TMLBlueandWhite]

That's a good list. #10, although true doesn't fit the rest of the list. If BT has to make a coaching change we are not winning the President's Trophy.

Thanks for the response.

Good point about number ten. I guess I was thinking more about the playoffs on that one. There's no reason this team can't match their previous recent regular season success.

So long as they haven't become complacent they should be able to outpace Boston hands down this year, and they've already beat Tampa the last two years.

I think the Atlantic is almost a given at this point.

 

[conFABulator]

Thanks for the response.

Good point about number ten. I guess I was thinking more about the playoffs on that one. There's no reason this team can't match their previous recent regular season success.

So long as they haven't become complacent they should be able to outpace Boston hands down this year, and they've already beat Tampa the last two years.

I think the Atlantic is almost a given at this point.

Yep. I would hope the last thing this team will be is complacent.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

I think they could win the Atlantic.

If everything goes right they could even win the President's trophy. It's not inconceivable they have a fairy tale year. In order for the sun and the moon and the stars to align the Leafs will need the following:

1. Samsonov & Woll to remain healthy and provide league average goaltending.
2. Klingberg to provide enough offense to overcome his defensive deficiencies.
3. Bertuzzi & Domi to score 20+ goals and 50+ points each.
4. Reaves to be a physical presence without being a detriment in every other way.
5. Rielly to perform up to his contract.
6. The bottom six to provide adequate secondary scoring.
7. The star players all have to provide leadership and step up in the big games.
8. Boston and Tampa to take steps back without Buffalo, Detroit, and Ottawa taking major leaps forward.
9. Keefe needs the team prepared to have a white hot start in October.
10. Treliving will need to be prepared to adjust on the fly, including firing the coach or making a major trade.

Many of these players will have to match their career bests. That's just to break even with recent year's success. Hoping for another record breaking season is a bit of a stretch but not entirely unrealistic.

It's a long season and anything can happen.

Go Leafs Go.

#1 they did it last year I see no reason they can't do it again.
#2 given the forwards this team has I expect that
3 both have proven they can do it.
4 he's proven he can do it
5 he always does.
6 the issue here is bottom 6 centers aren't good enough.
7 President trophy is a regular season award so I'm going to need you to define what a big game is.
8 Tampa and Boston have already taken steps back.
9 is correct.
10 doesn't exist it can't, if Keefe is getting fired they aren't winning the president trophy.

 

[TMLBlueandWhite]

#1 they did it last year I see no reason they can't do it again.
#2 given the forwards this team has I expect that
3 both have proven they can do it.
4 he's proven he can do it
5 he always does.
6 the issue here is bottom 6 centers aren't good enough.
7 President trophy is a regular season award so I'm going to need you to define what a big game is.
8 Tampa and Boston have already taken steps back.
9 is correct.
10 doesn't exist it can't, if Keefe is getting fired they aren't winning the president trophy.

Thanks for the response.

1. Injury and small sample size on both these guys is the concern for me.
2. I think you are right, but the same thing was said about Barrie too.
3 & 4. I set the bar low.
5. He didn't have a very good year last season.
6. I agree.
7. When there is something on the line.
8. I'm more worried about a team taking a big leap.
9. The last two years he almost got fired lol.
10. Depends how quick he gets fired and how they respond, but it would be a stretch for sure.

I expect Boston to suck this year, so the Atlantic should almost be a given unless Buffalo makes a major leap this year.

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[Ianturnedbull]

Frank Serivalli was on the fan yesterday. He believes that both OTT and BUF will make the playoffs next season.

Where does that leave TBL and FLA?

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

Frank Serivalli was on the fan yesterday. He believes that both OTT and BUF will make the playoffs next season.

Where does that leave TBL and FLA?

Frank believes a lot of things

With Boston losing so many pieces I don't see how Toronto isn't the favorite to win the Atlantic

 

[IPS]

Atlantic is Toronto's for the taking the way I see it.

 

[notDatsyuk]

I think they could win the Atlantic.

If everything goes right they could even win the President's trophy. It's not inconceivable they have a fairy tale year. In order for the sun and the moon and the stars to align the Leafs will need the following:

1. Samsonov & Woll to remain healthy and provide league average goaltending.
2. Klingberg to provide enough offense to overcome his defensive deficiencies.
3. Bertuzzi & Domi to score 20+ goals and 50+ points each.
4. Reaves to be a physical presence without being a detriment in every other way.
5. Rielly to perform up to his contract.
6. The bottom six to provide adequate secondary scoring.
7. The star players all have to provide leadership and step up in the big games.
8. Boston and Tampa to take steps back without Buffalo, Detroit, and Ottawa taking major leaps forward.
9. Keefe needs the team prepared to have a white hot start in October.
10. Treliving will need to be prepared to adjust on the fly, including firing the coach or making a major trade.

Many of these players will have to match their career bests. That's just to break even with recent year's success. Hoping for another record breaking season is a bit of a stretch but not entirely unrealistic.

It's a long season and anything can happen.

Go Leafs Go.

I certainly think they could win the Division.

I'm not sure they should be considered the favourite.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

I certainly think they could win the Division.

I'm not sure they should be considered the favourite.

Why not? They lost by far the least in the division, and most of what they did lose was upgraded on, except ROR.

ROR is their only true loss.

 

[Evilhomer]

Frank Serivalli was on the fan yesterday. He believes that both OTT and BUF will make the playoffs next season.

Where does that leave TBL and FLA?

I would be surprised if Ottawa made the playoffs. Buffalo should, but I don't think I would put money on it. I think Toronto will win the division pretty easily. First in the conference is a different question, as I'm not sure they will finish ahead of Jersey or Carolina.

 

[notDatsyuk]

Why not? They lost by far the least in the division, and most of what they did lose was upgraded on, except ROR.

ROR is their only true loss.

They certainly lost less than Boston, and likely less than Tampa, but the rest?

I'm less optimistic that the replacements are an improvement (happy to be wrong), and I still have concerns about our 2C situation.

A favourite, sure, but not the favourite.

 

[Maple Leaf]

Cup or no cup

Division?????????

 

[Ianturnedbull]

They certainly lost less than Boston, and likely less than Tampa, but the rest?

I'm less optimistic that the replacements are an improvement (happy to be wrong), and I still have concerns about our 2C situation.

A favourite, sure, but not the favourite.

Tavares is still alive.

 

[notDatsyuk]

Tavares is still alive.

So is Marleau.

 

[Ianturnedbull]

So is Marleau.

As part of the Toronto Maple Leafs Tavares scored 80 points in 80 games. Did you mean you are not sure about our 3C situation?

 

[notDatsyuk]

As part of the Toronto Maple Leafs Tavares scored 80 points in 80 games. Did you mean you are not sure about our 3C situation?

Only half his goals and points at even strength, and the worst +/- among forwards.

Decent as a 3C and on the PP, but I have concerns about the 2C.