Several online sports sites have released pre-season power rankings and this is where they see the Maple Leafs going into the start of the season.
TSN - 7th (East), 16th (overall)
ESPN - 8th (East), 17th (overall)
CBS - 12th (East), 23rd (overall)
On paper the Leafs have improved in a few areas. They upgraded in net from Aubin to Toskala. They improved scoring with Blake and Bell. A powerplay made up of Sundin, Blake, Tucker, McCabe and Kaberle will be tough to defend against.
But the Leafs are a team where the wheels can come flying off as was the case with the Flyers last season. The penalty killing is terrible. Their strong skating defense is porous in its own end of the rink. There is no #1 goalie and no one won that battle during preseason. Centre is a weak position behind Sundin who did not score in the final 20 games of last season or during the preseason.
So the best case scenario is the Leafs fighting with about 8 teams for a playoff spot. Worse case is a meltdown, front office changes and rebuilding.
12 years ago
