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Maple Leafs: Inspired Heading into the Centennial Season |
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As the summer moves forward at an ever so rapid pace, the Maple Leafs and their fans continue to be eager to embark in the 2016/17 Centennial season.
A hundred years as an NHL team, that is something special.
Toronto’s Brendan Shanahan unveiled the Leafs new Centennial logo that will be worn on the teams Centennial Classic jerseys. Toronto will host the Red Wings on January 1st, 2017 at BMO Field which holds around 34000 fans; it should be quite the event.
Another event to look into will be when the Maple Leafs battle against the Blackhawks on March 18th, 2017 when they wear their St. Pats jerseys from the 1919-1927 era.
Shanahan ensures there will be many other events throughout the season in celebration to honor the 100 years of hockey in Toronto. Something to key in on will be opening night when Toronto plays against the Boston Bruins. “A history opening night celebration” says Leafs President Brendan Shanahan.
Speaking of Shanahan, he has been very impressed with the Maple Leafs Assistant General Manager, Kyle Dubas.
Dubas, who is only 29 years of age has a very good sense of the hockey world and is dedicated to the game. He (Dubas) was at charity golf tournament last week and mentioned how “fortunate” he is to be able to work with the staff the Maple Leafs have at this present time.
“I feel lucky and fortunate with where we’re at personally because on a given day I can lean on Mike, Lou or Brendan”.
Kyle Dubas mentions that he is very inspired by the overall commitment and love of the game by his colleagues in Babcock, Shanahan and especially Lamoriello. “Every single day they come and they have a great energy and spirit to them that doesn’t waver. It’s been really special that way. You see that and aspire to have it.”
There is a lot of respect in the Leafs upper management these days, from young and upcoming hockey mind Dubas, to legendary GM Lamoriello. It’s a good vibe, one that seems to be tightly roped and continues to impress not only the fans in Toronto, but other teams as they see the Leafs management finally getting their heads out of the sand and making some positive strides forward, again and again.
Babcock even quoted Dubas as “A great kid and doing a great job and has had a huge impact on our franchise. Those are words spoken that would certainly make me feel good if I was only 29 and impressing a coach with Babcock’s resume. Dubas really does have it together; we can only hope he continues to stick with the Leafs over the years as his value continues to increase learning from such brilliant hockey minds.
The Leafs have a lot of experience in management, more so than ever I would say. Without question the staff has done an excellent job up to this point, and the hardest decisions I feel will be ahead. As long as patience is kept and the direction stays the same, it’s without a doubt Toronto will be a playoff team for years to come, and not just a one year wonder like they were in the shortened season.
Continuing to stock up with picks and prospects is important, you have to expect and trust management to make the right decisions when picking player to keep, and of course, when not to keep. Mistakes will happen, perhaps they will pass on a player for another, and it comes back to haunt them, but that’s to be expected, as long as they make more wise decisions than not, the Maple Leafs will eventually achieve the ultimate goal, and a taste of beer from Lord Stanley.
Last season I had been discussing how important it was for the Toronto Maple Leafs to acquire a young, big, future number one goaltender, and they did just that. That was the key; they had already lined up a number one pick, ensuring a potential number one center was coming into the pipeline. When you get both your starting goalie and number one center in one off season there is reason for hype. Without a doubt Leafs Nation is more pumped for the beginning of this season than they have been since 1999/2000.
This will be a season of assessment with so many rookies and youngsters establishing themselves to the NHL game. I’m very intrigued to see how Zaitsev and Carrick play on the defensive end for the Leafs. Will Rielly continue to develop into the top pairing defensemen he looks to be? Will Gardiner continue to keep his head on straight with Babcock’s words of wisdom? When will the Leafs upgrade Marincin, Hunwick or Polak? That there, the final question is the one I am most looking forward to seeing fixed.
In the past the Leafs have always had a quality player who could have used someone else of quality for support. Sundin for years had a lack of an elite winger by his side. Phaneuf for years had AHL scrubs by his side in Kostka, Holzer and Gunnersson. This can’t happen again, and with the amount of salary dollars opening up for the Leafs after this season, the management must ensure Rielly has quality support, helping him become the best player he can be.
It will be an excellent season for Zaitsev and Carrick to show off their skills at the NHL level, giving them a shot to move up and not only get more ice time, but more responsibility and to learn more as they earn Babcock’s respect.
If by seasons end Toronto doesn’t see a great fit for a future partner in Rielly, I sure hope they look deep and find him through trade or free agency a top pairing partner to dominate with for years to come.
Phil Kessel:
However you feel about the Kessel trade or his time in Toronto, you have to respect this man for his actions after winning the Stanley Cup.
Kessel stopped by Toronto’s Sick Kids Hospital to visit some of the kids and their families to give them a chance to see Lord Stanley in person. This is a memory that not only the kids will never forget, but I’m sure Phil will never forget as he surely made a number of kids day, not to mention their parents who must have been over the moon with this rare opportunity for their child. The suffering that day must have been a lot less for these unfortunate kids, all thanks to the Thrill.
Thanks for reading, have a great day.
Blogger •Atlantic Division Writer • 
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