Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

Patience Leafs Nation, a trade will arise

July 19, 2017, 11:24 AM ET [227 Comments]
Lucas Neilson
Blogger •Atlantic Division Writer • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Maple Leafs Connor Brown is not worried one bit about being unsigned as he sticks to his regular off season schedule of golfing and relaxing before preparing for another big season with the blue and white.

Without a doubt the Leafs management team will lock down their 20 goal scoring rookie. Mike Babcock is a big fan of Connor Brown and there is a good chance Brown’s playing time is increased this season as he should be a lock on the right wing playing with Nazem Kadri and Leo Komarov/Zach Hyman.

Realistically there is a good chance that Brown ends up on the right wing on the Maple Leafs first power play with Matthews at center and Marleau on the wing. Where is Nylander? He’s on the point with Gardiner increasing the Leafs chancing of burying one quickly with a great magnitude of offense and creativity.

The second power play will still be extremely dangerous with van Riemsdyk, Bozak and Marner up front and Kadri and Rielly on the point. Babcock is a big fan of putting one of his top forwards on the point to help quarterback the power play. The Leafs were absolutely dynamite on the man advantage last season ranking second overall with 58 goals and a glorified 23.8% success rate.

This will be a big part of Toronto’s success again this season with such a quality offensive lineup. Insert Patrick Marleau and a more experienced Leafs roster and voila, the boys just may top the charts in the 2017/18 season.

The Leafs are decently stocked up front and if an injury were to arise they have both Leivo and Kapanen waiting eagerly, among other forwards like Kerby Rychel who are nipping at their heels. Obviously us fans hope there are no major injuries to any key players but it’s nice to know there is some support if something were to happen. The Leafs protected Josh Leivo over Leipsic so you know they think he has some value with the big club or via trade or they wouldn’t have exposed Leipsic who had 51 points in 49 games with the Toronto Marlies.

This is exactly why I see a trade being a possibility, with the number of contracts the Leafs have and the fact they still need to resign Brown something has to give.

Leivo is 24 years old and has been quite serviceable for the Maple Leafs in the last two seasons. Leivo scored 5 goals in 12 games in 2015/16 and then chipped in 10 points in 13 games last season. He’s not the best skater but he is good along the boards and has an NHL shot and hockey IQ.

The Leafs have a quality right winger in Kapanen and a left winger in Leivo who would both be quite able to fill a void if need be. That void could be opened through a trade or an injury. My hopes are Lamoriello’s patience pays off and he’s able to find a good trading partner for another defenseman which opens up a spot in the lineup for one of these two to fill. Leivo sure deserves another look after last season and I would have to say management agrees with me and that’s exactly why they kept him on the roster.

This Maple Leafs team sure has a shot at taking the Atlantic Division this season, after looking at that new and improved power play lineup I can’t help but think they have a chance to do just that.

Thanks for reading, enjoy your day!
Join the Discussion: » 227 Comments » Post New Comment
More from Lucas Neilson
» Bust out your monocle and take a gander of the Atlantic
» Atlantic Division Spotlight: Tampa Bay Lightning
» Slicing the Atlantic Division in Half
» Atlantic Spotlight: Toronto Maple Leafs
» Atlantic Spotlight: Red Wings