7 reasons why the Leafs have a realistic shot to win the Presidents' Trophy
The puck drops on the 2020-21 NHL season next week, with the Toronto Maple Leafs playing the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday.
The Leafs have been in a weird flux the last few seasons: always looking like they’ve got an unstoppable offence for some stretches, while finding the worst ways to lose at other points. Playoff success has eluded the Leafs since a first-round win in 2004. It’s safe to say it’s been a long time coming.
But before we start thinking about the Leafs’ postseason droughts, there’s still a 56-game regular season to be played.
Here’s seven reasons why the Leafs should be considered among the favourites for the Presidents’ Trophy — awarded to the league’s top regular season team — this upcoming year.
1. Weakest division
Simply put, there’s a lot of mediocrity flowing around the newly-formed all-Canadian North Division.
Ottawa, Winnipeg, and Montreal would have all missed out on a regular 16-team playoff last season, with Calgary and Vancouver supplying the #7 and #8 seeds in the Western Conference.Ā Edmonton finished second in the Pacific Division last year, but fifth in the East on points percentage.
When it comes to league-wide rankings in the standings last season, here’s where the bottom five in the new North Division placed:Ā 17, 19, 20, 24, 30.
Using independent hockey writer JFresh’s Wins Above Replacement inspired projections, it’s looking like the North Division could see a bunch of teams fighting for second place, but one more talented team at the top.
Updated WAR Roster Builder standings projection.
#2-#6 in Canada separated by 2 points š pic.twitter.com/bSxQYhanIy
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) January 5, 2021
Of course, the Leafs themselves had just the league’s 13th best regular season record, but rebounded strongly from a 9-10-4 start under coach Mike Babcock.
2. First real chance under Sheldon Keefe
Having taken over for Babcock partway through a wonky season, the Leafs’ bench bossĀ in Sheldon Keefe is getting his first “full” go-around with an NHL team, albeit in a modified training camp.
Keefe’s had success at every level he coached — whether it be Junior A, major junior, or the Calder Cup championship with the 2018 Toronto Marlies. All reports seem to be that he’s well liked by his players, and this season should provide a great opportunity to see how well that unit can mesh with each other.
3. Auston Matthews leading the way
Every great team needs their superstar, and the Leafs have found theirs in the 23-year old American centre.Ā Having been on pace for over 50 goals before the season came to a halt last March, Matthews provides a scoring touch bested perhaps only by new divisional foes Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
As long as he’s healthy, there’s not really anyone that can produce offence at the level that Matthews does.
4. Contract year for Andersen
Frederik Andersen didn’t have his best season last year, with a .909 save percentage in 52 starts. But he’s got as good a reason as any to play well or be shipped out, with his contract expiring at the end of this season.
And though he returned to the organization after a trade away, Michael Hutchinson and hisĀ .886 save percentage with the Leafs last year will likely not get many opportunities, as Jack Campbell presumably starts the season as the backup, providing more stability.
It’s a near guarantee the Leafs will have a better goaltending tandem on aggregate this go around, which should provide the juice for the Leafs’ offence to do what they do best.
5. TJ Brodie’s inclusion
Morgan Rielly has been searching for years for a capable partner to offset his defensive woes. TJ Brodie might finally be the answer in the top-four. Signing on a four-year deal from Calgary, the wily veteran has averaged 22 minutes a night over his career.
Despite shooting left, he plays on the highly-coveted right side and formed one of the game’s top partnerships for years alongside Norris winner Mark Giordano. He might not be exactly in his primeĀ per se,Ā but should provide some stability to what is typically a chaotic backend.
6. No Boston or Tampa
This might be the biggest sticking point. The Leafs will have the chance to play a team like the Ottawa Senators nine times, and don’t have to play in TD Garden or in Amalie Arena (unlike those in-tough Toronto Raptors) even once.
It’s not a stretch to say there’s not really an elite team in this division, and Toronto should be the betting favourite to win on more nights than not.
7. Familiarity
While new characters such as Joe Thornton, Jimmy Vesey, and Wayne Simmonds are entering the Leafs locker room this year, there’s no big contract disputes, pending trade requests or public angst between the players and the coaching staff and management these days. This Leafs core is now entering their fifth year together.
It’s time to put up or shut up.
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