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| Are the Toronto Maple Leafs finally on their way up? |
Over the past few weeks, the sporting world has been
dominated by talk of the NHL shutting down with yet another lockout. Although
the League will be taking a huge hit in small market cities in the US and
losing many fans, an extended work stoppage may actually be a blessing in
disguise for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
One of Toronto’s major downfalls over the past several
seasons has been their goaltending. When the games matter most, Maple Leafs’
netminders haven’t been able to make the big saves. James Reimer appeared to be
the Leafs’ saviour after his great 2010-11 campaign, but struggled immensely
last season. The next goalie in line for the Leafs is Ben Scrivens. The former
Cornell Big Red has had two great seasons with the Toronto Marlies and even led
them to the American Hockey League finals last year. The Spruce Grove, Alberta
native is very technically sound and seems to perform well under pressure. Yet another year of AHL seasoning might
be best for both Scrivens and the future of the Maple Leafs, if the NHL has an
extended lockout.
Back in 2008, the Maple Leafs selected Luke Schenn as their
5th overall pick. The Saskatoon native had a successful rookie
season and members of Leafs’ management touted Luke as a ‘future captain.’ His
last few years obviously didn’t turn out as well as anticipated and he is no
longer a member of the organization. Now this past June, the Leafs selected
Morgan Rielly, another defenceman from Western Canada with the 5th
overall pick in the draft and GM Brian Burke called him the ‘best player
available.’ The expectations will be lofty for the 18 year old and I’m sure
he’d be given every opportunity to make the NHL roster this year. However,
whether the lockout continues for one more week or an entire season, I believe
Rielly should return to the Western Hockey League for another year of
development and play a lead role on the Canadian World Junior team. Toronto
fans don’t want to see another Luke Schenn type of situation again and another
year of junior hockey would benefit both Rielly and the organization in every
way possible.
My final rationale requires some good luck for the blue and
white. After the 2004-05 season was cancelled, the League held a lottery to
decide the order of the June’05 entry draft. Of course, the Pittsburgh Penguins
won that lottery and chose Sidney Crosby first overall. They’ve since become
one of the most exciting teams in our sport, have won a Stanley Cup and won’t
have to worry about team ownership issues moving forward.
Back to this year, if both sides can’t agree on a new CBA
and the entire season is cancelled, another lottery will occur to decide the
order that teams will draft next June. The Maple Leafs had the fifth worst
record in the NHL in 2011-12, so they’d have a chance to potentially receive
the number one selection for the draft. The top prospect for the upcoming draft
is Nathan MacKinnon, who happens to reside from the same city as Crosby, in
Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia. MacKinnon (17) led all QMJHL rookies in playoff
scoring last season and many have compared his style of play to that of Crosby.
I’ve been fortunate to speak to Nathan a few times and he really appears ready
for the national spotlight. If the Maple Leafs are lucky enough to get the
first overall selection, they would finally be able to acquire the caliber of
franchise player they so desperately need.
Hockey fans across this country obviously don’t want to
witness or deal with a lockout. But for crazed Leafs fans in Toronto, it may
finally be the catalyst for rebuilding the franchise.
