tonytalkssports My Take on Sports, particularly the Yankees, Maple Leafs and Browns

My Expectation For 2013 Maple Leafs

It's been a long wait, but tonight the NHL season begins for the Toronto Maple Leafs as they face-off against their long time rivals the Montreal Canadiens. In light of the trading of Matthew Lombardi, the waiving and subsequent demotion of Tim Connolly and no trade for a veteran goalie (Roberto Luongo), it appears that the Leafs are content to go with more youth. And I'm in total agreement with this path.

Several months ago, I believed that the Leafs should get Luongo. The pressure was on to make the playoffs at all costs. After all, plenty in the media were saying that in order for Brian Burke to keep his job the playoff drought needed to end. But with Burke gone and Dave Nonis being given the reins long term, it makes more sense not to mortgage the future to get Luongo since the Canucks are still wanting a huge ransom for him. With a promising crop of prospects available in this year's draft, coupled with the young corp that they already have and plenty of cap space available heading into next season, it makes sense for the Leafs to go with youth.

If the Leafs make the playoffs this year, I will be as excited as the next member of Leaf Nation. But more than a low seed playoff spot, I want to see Jake Gardiner back and continue to progress. I want to see the line of Leo Komorov-Nazem Kadri-James Van Reiemsdyk develop into an aggressive hard charging third line that makes it tough to play against the Leafs while also providing some scoring punch. I want to see Tyler Bozak take his game to another level. I want to see Phil Kessel continue on an upward trend. I want to see Dion Phaneuf grow more into the captain's role and be a leader on the ice. I want to see the Leaf special teams improve to the point where they are a strength. I want to see the young goalies, James Reimer and Ben Scrivens, develop into a good NHL goalie tandem. I particularly want to see James Reimer bounce back. And I want to see Nikolai Kulemin revert back to his 2010-11 form.

To me, making the playoffs would be a side benefit for the Leafs. What is more important is seeing progress from the young players that the Leafs currently have. If they don't succeed, the Leafs will be in a position to select a franchise-type prospect. More than anything else, there is reason to be hopeful that this franchise is turning the corner. I've believed that for the last 2 years based on the young talent that has been brought in. Now is the time to let the kids play and let the chips fall where they may. Can't wait for it all to start tonight. And there would be nothing better than a win over Montreal on a Saturday night. Go Leafs Go!!!!