So on my first content blog, Im going to talk about the Toronto Maple Leafs. Sometime within the next week, I'll post my 2011 French Open Preview, as I especially want to talk about the miraculous season of Novak Djokovic. I also want to spend some time talking about the amazing 2011 NHL playoffs and the World Championships. But for now, the Leafs:
The 2010-2011 NHL season was bittersweet for the Toronto Maple Leafs. For the 6th straight season, and for 7th year in a row, playoff hockey did not come to the ACC. The Leafs also finished 21st in the NHL, meaning that our 9th overall pick in this years draft will go to the Boston Bruins as part of the Kessel deal. The Leafs also said goodbye to the last player to see playoff action in a Leaf uniform and 12 year Leaf vet Tomas Kaberle.
All that being said the season did give Leaf fans many reasons to be optimistic for the future. Firstly was the play of 23 year old James Reimer, who led the Leafs on an excellent run in the 2nd half of the season. Despite not recording a start until Jan 1st and playing only 37 games, Reimer had 20 wins, posting great stats with a 921 save % and a 2.60 GAA. This calm, mature, young man came out of no where to upseat both former Conn Smythe winner JS Gigure and Swedish sophmore Jonas Gustavsson as Leaf starter. If Reimer can play close to where he played down the stretch run, the Leafs have a shot at the playoffs.
Multiple Leaf prospects have also given Leaf fans a reason for hope. Former top 10 draft picks Luke Schenn and Nazem Kadri top the Leaf young core. Despite being only 21, Schenn has played in 231 NHL games, 2 World Championships, and this season led all NHL defenders in hits and was in the top 5 in blocked shots. While 20 year old Nazem Kadri didn't make the Leafs out of training camp, and spent much of the season in the AHL, he showed us brief glimpses of talent and skills that few players in the NHL can do. Displaying elite shootout skills, great hands, and offensive vision, Kadri showed Leaf fans that he has elements of a great player that you cannot teach. Look for him to establish himself as a full-time NHLer next fall. To supplement Kadri and Schenn, Leaf GM Brian Burke added to the prospect pool by acquiring former top 20 draft picks in Joe Colborne and Jake Gardiner through trade. Colborne played in the Leafs last game of the season and recorded an assist. Gardiner made the step up to the AHL at seasons end from the NCAA, and despite his lack of experience as regarded as one of the Marlies best D. The Leaf prospect pool also boasts NCAA Player of the year finalist Matt Frattin, German hockey Olympians Korbinian Holzer and Marcel Mueller. US WJC gold medalist Jerry D'Amigo, OHL All-Stars Jesse Blacker and Gregg McKegg
Finally, Leaf fans hope rests on the progression of Leaf players. Despite a weak team, the Leafs top scorer Phil Kessel reached the 30 goal plateau for the 3rd straight season, something only 16 other players in the NHL have done. His defensive play improves and set a career high in assists and points. Nikolai Kulemin also scored 30 goals, showed his potential as a solid two-way player. Late summer pick-up Clarke Macarthur was perhaps the best bang-for-buck summer acquisition setting career highs in all stats. Kulemin and Mac's centerman Mikhail Grabovski also had a great season, also setting highs in goals assists and points while showing great heart, effort and skill. The Legion of Doom, as they have been called, would no doubt be an elite 2nd line in the NHL next season. On defence, Leaf captain Dion Phanuef recovered from a rough season start and leg injury to end the season as one of the best in the league, especially after the Kaberle trade. Phaneuf began to show many glimpses of the player who was finalist for the Norris in 2008.
The Leafs still have a lot to do to become a solid Playoff contender, but Leaf GM Brian Burke has a great core, and lots of room to make that happen. He has begun to restore our draft stockpile, has about 20 million dollars in cap room to work with, and has shown the ability to make bold, but sensible trades. The future is bright for the Leafs!
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