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

It’s Hockey Time: Leafs Open Camp Today

The Toronto Maple Leafs begin the 2011-12 journey to get into the Stanley Cup tournament today as training camp officially opens. There has been a dramatic turnover in personnel throughout the organization since Brian Burke took over the reins 3 years ago. Burke's Leafs are considerably younger and deeper throughout the organization as the Leafs' farm system is filled with possible NHLers with plenty of potential. But for a fan base that has not seen their team in the playoffs since prior to the lockout, the focus will be squarely on whether this team makes the playoffs this season.

The key to the whole season will be whether the Leafs goaltending tandem of James Reimer and Jonas Gustavsson are able to carry this team throughout the season. Reimer's emergence as the Leafs starting goaltender after the 1st of the year propelled the Leafs into a surging club in the last half of the season. The Leafs posted wins with Reimer in net against division rivals Boston and Buffalo as the Leafs gave their long suffering fans hope. Reimer will have to continue that type of play if the Leafs are to have any chance of making the playoffs. Gustavsson came to the Leafs with all kinds of hype, the best goalie not in the NHL the experts said. But the Monster has yet to live up to that title as he has been bothered by a heart problem and inconsistent play. The Leafs are taking a big gamble going with one of the youngest goalie tandem in the league. If Reimer or Gustavsson are not able to provide quality goaltending, the Leafs chances for making the playoffs are strongly diminshed.

The Leafs defense corp has the potential to be one of the best in the league. Dion Phaneuf really stepped up his play after Tomas Kaberle was traded and the Leafs need their Captain to continue on that path. The power play, which has been dismal, will hopefully get a boost with the acquisition of John-Michael Liles. Liles is an offensive minded defenseman who should be able to quarterback the power play and is not afraid to shoot the puck from the point. Luke Schenn has signed a new contract and the 21 year old is ready to continue on the rise to being one of the best shutdown defenseman in the league. Acquired Cody Fransen, Carl Gunnarsson, Mike Komisarek and Matt Lashoff will round out the defense corp with talented Jake Gardiner waiting for his turn while with the Marlies.

The Leafs search for a number one center now rests on the shoulders of Tim Connolly. I was not happy with the Connolly signing because of his injury history. As a Leaf fan, you have to hope that the guy stays healthy because he does have the ability to be a positive force for the first line that will consist of Connolly, Phil Kessel and Joffrey Lupul. If Connolly can stay healthy, Kessel could reach 40 goals this year.

Last year's second line remains intact and the Leafs hope that Mikhail Grabovski, Nikolai Kulemin and Clarke MacArthur build on their breakout season. If this line falters, the Leafs will have trouble scoring goals. The third line will be centered by Tyler Bozak, who I believe will excel in that role. We know for sure that one of his linemates will be Colby Armstrong. The Leafs play extremely well when the rambunctious Armstrong is in the lineup. Bozak and Armstrong's linemate will come down to Nazem Kadri, Joe Colborne or Matt Frattin. Kadri seemed to come on at the end of the season while on the third line. I like Joe Colborne a lot but I think he is better suited at center and could be a top 6 forward. Frattin had a great rookie camp and looked good in his only appearance with the Leafs last season. It will be interesting to see how this shakes out.

A wild card in all of this could be Matthew Lombardi. Lombardi missed all but a few games last season with a concussion. Prior to that, he was considered a speedy play-making center who had the ability to put the puck in the net. If he is able to contribute in any way, the Leafs could have a real find.

The pressure is squarely on Coach Ron Wilson to make sure that the Leafs do not get off to a bad start, which has characterized Wilson's teams the last 2 seasons. The fact that Brian Burke did not give Wilson a contract extension and required that Wilson make coaching staff changes tells you that Burke will not tolerate a sluggish start. With the changes in the coaching staff, it is hoped that the Leafs will improve on their terrible special teams. The Leafs were one of the least penalized teams last year, but their penalty killing was terrible. The power play has been abysmal and hopefully with Connolly and Liles that will improve.

In the end, there is no question that the playoffs are the goal. But in my mind I want to see continued improvement and consistency. A good season by Reimer, Connolly stepping up, Kadri taking the next step, Phaneuf raising his level of play, and the second line continuing to play the way it did last year will be what I am looking for this season because in the end it really needs to be more than just making the playoffs. It needs to be about being a legitimate contender to win the Stanley Cup.