Leafs correspondent questions whether or not this Leafs team will even make the playoffs
As the Leafs head into a very pivotal 2022-23 season, there is plenty of reason for optimism, even if it's just cautious optimism. I also understand why there is some concern, what with the Leafs hitching their wagon to two goaltenders who have struggled with consistency at times in their careers.
Had the Leafs ended last year having jettisoned two quality goaltenders with above average numbers, we might have more reason to be concerned, but with Jack Campbell and Petr Mrazek moving on to Edmonton and Chicago, respectively, the Leafs are not downgrading with Matt Murray and Ilya Samsonov - they're simply transitioning from one set of goaltenders who have a lot to prove to another. At least in this case, one of those netminders happens to have two Stanley Cup rings.
Postmedia's Michael Traikos appears to be coming into this season with a lot of leftover disdain for the Leafs following yet another first round embarrassment in 2021-22, as is evidenced by his latest exploit. It's clear that Traikos isn't sold on the moves made by the current management regime to address their needs in goal. He's also unimpressed with the team's start to training camp, particularly with regard to their blueline situation and having their depth tested so early. He capped it all off by planting the seed of doubt that the Leafs may not even make the playoffs at all in 2022-23.
For those who do not follow him on Twitter, I highly recommend tossing a follow to @TheOakLeafs. He truly is one of the most entertaining follows on Leafs Twitter and amid his entertaining tirades, he often makes excellent points. In this case, Oak very simply points out that Traikos is taking aim at a Leafs core who has put together the team's two best seasons in franchise history in back-to-back years (based on points percentage). As such, declaring that missing the playoffs is a real possibility is a bit of a reach by Traikos.
The bottom line is that this Leafs team has given us absolutely no reason to doubt their regular season abilities. The Leafs finished near the bottom of the league in most major goaltending metrics last season and still finished 4th in the overall league standings, 2nd in the killer's row that is the Atlantic Division, behind only the Presidents Trophy winning Florida Panthers. Imagine what they'll be able to do if Matt Murray and Ilya Samsonov can provide even league average goaltending behind a defensive corps who was statistically superior to those of their respective teams from last season.
I realize that the Leafs have given us plenty of reasons to doubt them over the years, but sooner or later, we're going to have to recognize that as the team evolves, so too should the expectations. Rather than writing this team off before the season begins, we should look to what the team's trajectory is telling us. They're showing tangible improvement season over season. I understand that we're all carrying our scars, but writing this team off before a single game is played is not going to do anything for us except make for a really long season. Facts are facts. This is the best Leafs team that most of us have seen in our lifetimes and I feel as though we have yet to see the best of the best Leafs team that most of us have seen in our lifetimes.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 23 | 158 ANSWERS Leafs correspondent questions whether or not this Leafs team will even make the playoffs Will the Leafs make the playoffs in 2022-23? | ||
| Yes | 91 | 57.6 % |
| No | 18 | 11.4 % |
| Is that a serious question? Of course they will | 49 | 31 % |
| List of polls | ||
