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Big changes, big results: Confidence in Toronto

September 4, 2019, 9:02 AM ET [252 Comments]
Lucas Neilson
Blogger •Atlantic Division Writer • RSSArchiveCONTACT
It wasn’t that many years ago when the Leafs were in the basement hoping for a gift from the heavens and drafting first overall. Connor McDavid was going first without question and the Leafs had the best odds with the last ping pong ball on route. We all know how that ended up with Edmonton winning the big prize.

The Leafs were able to draft Mitch Marner at fourth overall and had to decide between he and Noah Hanifin. It was a quality draft year in which the Leafs were able to scoop up a franchise type player; one they are counting on to be signed to a hefty contract sooner than later.

There was still a lot of work to be done.

Thankfully the stars aligned for the Leafs with yet another atrocious season and this time the hockey gods answered and Toronto won first overall pick and took Auston Matthews without any hesitation.

Since then there have been a number of different bodies in and out the door. With some serious retooling by Kyle Dubas and coaching strategy by Mike Babcock, the Leafs have themselves setup for a serious run.

The overall feeling in Toronto these days regarding the Maple Leafs is pretty simple at this point. Everyone feels confident the Buds are going to make their way into the playoffs, it’s the matchup that concerns everyone. It seems every season we have a very difficult opponent round one (partially due to the structure of the playoff format which is a joke). Nevertheless you have to beat the best to win the Stanley Cup, so no excuses!

There has been a number of complaints about the Leafs Coach Mike Babcock after last years first round exit. I get it, we fans want to point the finger at someone. Without question Matthews could have gotten more ice time, done this and that but the bottom line is the Leafs need to dig deeper and want it more. They will also have to work on their special teams and get a bit more desperate when it’s crunch time in the post season.

As long as the Leafs continue to put up around 100+ points in the regular season playing quality hockey I can’t see Babcock getting fired. He’s certainly got his ways and I’d imagine he’s hard on his players because he’s always trying to get the most out of them. Mike Babcock is respected by not only the team but the staff and certainly upper management (Shanahan and company). The players need to step it up if they want to hoist Lord Stanley, simple as that.

I’ve never been more confident in a Leafs roster. The additions are going to be key for the Leafs success and once both Hyman and Dermott return from injury the Leafs should be putting up two points on the regular.

I got the blue and white finishing second in the National Hockey League in points with 107.

Where do you see the Maple Leafs finishing and with how many points?

Just over a month to go now before regular season!

Thanks for reading, have a great day.
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