Leaf Dreams Before Game One

Before the first puck is dropped all teams are in a tie for first. Now is the time to dream a little as a fan so let me take a look into my blue and white crystal ball and see what surprises I would love to see for the Leafs as the year unfolds.

The biggest need for any playoff team is goaltending. The Leafs need rock solid goaltending this season for the team to contend. The chances are that Toskala is not the player to do this. For the team to succeed they need to have Gustavsson take over the number one job and pardon the pun, have a monster year. The best possible scenario is for Toskala to play well, but for Gustavsson to outshine him as a backup to the point that he takes over the starter’s job by the new year. Ideally, another team loses a starting goalie before the trade deadline and Burke can move Toskala for a pick and a prospect at that time.

Komisarek needs to show that he is fully recovered from the problems that he had last year. If he has, he will provide the solid partner that Kaberle needs and you will see Kaberle come back with a 60 plus point year. If Komisarek shows that he is back to his former self he may well be wearing the C on his chest before the first snow falls.

The number one power play unit should be very strong once Kessel returns. Kaberle and Beauchemin should be a great pairing on the points. Kaberle will quarterback the unit and Beauchemin has the one timer that will remind fans of McCabe. Stalberg has the quickness and size to work the corner but should also set up camp in front of the net where he can tip in shots and battle for rebounds. Kessel will have room to find open ice for his shot.

The bigger concern is the penalty kill and how much ice time it will see. The Leafs need to be tough, but they have to show restraint and can not lead the league in short handed minutes. If the goaltending breaks as we hope, then Wilson and his coaches should have the players now to provide much better penalty kill numbers. They have the solid defense pairs they need and Primeau, Wallin and Stalberg will be major new players on the unit up front.

Kessel needs to come on strong when he returns. As Burke put it, he isn’t sure that the team has the center that Kessel needs on his roster today, but he couldn’t pass up the opportunity to get the winger first. The immediate plan is to play Kessel with Grabovski or Stajan and see if the chemistry is there. If this fails and if Bozak starts off fast in the AHL look for him to be given the opportunity to see how he fits in with Kessel. My crystal ball shows a unit with Kessel and Stalberg flying on the wings with Bozak being the play making center. With the delayed start to his season and the lack of a true number one center, a 20-25 goal season for Kessel would be what the fans should be looking for.

If all breaks right for the Leafs their point total for the season could hit the mid nineties and land them somewhere in the fifth to eighth place range. At the moment they are still tied for first and all systems are go for a drive to the playoffs.