Maple Leafs 2018-2019 Team Preview
Nov 1, 2018 9:53:41 GMT -5
Nordiques - Chris, RangersRon, and 7 more like this
Post by LeafsGM on Nov 1, 2018 9:53:41 GMT -5
There's a handful of certainties in life - death, taxes, Brayden McNabb being a piece of shit, and the JGHL Leafs turning over a roster in the off season. This season presents a new look lineup with 8 key off season acquisitions:
1st Line
LW Tomas Hertl - C Evgeni Malkin - RW TJ Oshie
D Ryan Ellis - D Nate Schmidt
Analysis: in what was one of the biggest trades in team history, the Leafs acquired superstar center Evgeni Malkin, in hopes that he can lift the team over the hump similar to what his countryman Alex Ovechkin did back in 2011. In Malkin the team gets a dynamic, proven, point per game player that can make those around him better in every situation. On his wings will be couple of complementary players, but the hope is for Tomas Hertl in particular to have a breakout campaign. On D, the pairing of Ellis and Schmidt should see all the ice they can handle, and offer the two way style that the team has been yearning for.
2nd Line
LW James Van Riemsdyk - C Evgeny Kuznetsov - RW Viktor Arvidsson
D Erik Johnson - D Sami Vatanen
Analysis: the 2nd forward line has the potential to be one of the better ones in the leagues, with skill, speed, and a balanced attack. Evgeni Kuznetsov is hoping to learn as much as possible from his friend and namesake Malkin, and eventually take on the mantle as the team's top center. In the meantime he will have two excellent scoring wingers to help him continue on that path. On D the belief is that EJ will complement Vatanen well and allow him to jump into the rush a bit more than he did in Edmonton. One thing is for sure, all teams should have this line circled as they prepare to face the Leafs.
3rd Line
LW Ondrej Palat - C Sean Monahan - RW Tyler Johnson
D Andy Greene - D Andrew Macdonald
Analysis: everyone give a warm welcome to the team's new 3rd line center Sean Monahan. Many skilled players would scoff at the obvious demotion, but not Sean. In fact he sees this as an opportunity to show that he can produce regardless where he is placed in the lineup. To make that easier for him, the team acquired veteran winger Tyler Johnson, who along with Palat, should effectively complement Monahan's scoring ways. Not a prototypical 3rd line by any means, but it should help greatly in bringing balanced scoring across the top 9. On D it's the tale of two Andys, veterans who have been to the dance and understand what it takes to shut down opposition. This will also mark Andy Greene's first and likely last season season as Captain, as he is set for unrestricted free agency.
4th Line
LW Tyler Johnson - C Radek Faksa - RW Brian Gibbons
D Nick Leddy - D Nate Schmidt
Analysis: some fans were up in arms when the team moved Adam Henrique, but the belief is Faksa can be the better fit both this season and long term. The 24 year old two way center is just scratching the surface of his potential, and should see plenty of ice on the penalty kill. Helping him out will be Brian Gibbons, who is coming in with some of the best defensive numbers in the league. The main concern is with defensively futile D Leddy, but the plan is to minimize his exposure at even strength and keep it strictly to the power play.
Goalies
Mike Smith
Jacob Markstrom
Analysis: Mike Smith signed a 1 year deal in the off season and is looking to prove himself as a serviceable veteran starter, and mentor to the younger Markstrom. The team doesn't expect a Vezina level performance, but it would be welcomed. More realistically, above a 0.910 save % and a below 2.70 GAA would ensure some stability, and allow the team to hopefully out score their way to wins. In case Smith falters or needs rest, the team will turn to a very capable backup in Markstrom.
The Farm
Unlike past seasons, there is actually some legitimate talent brewing in the farm. The likes of Joonas Donskoi, Tomas Tatar, Kevin Labanc, Michal Kempny, are all hoping to be a part of the main roster picture either this season or next. These along with some of the younger assets will all be key to both the Avengers, and the Leafs as potential trade pieces to bolster the lineup.
Final Thoughts
As with most recent seasons, the competition is fierce. There's already some early candidates for powerhouse contenders like the Flames, Penguins, Canucks, and the Sharks. The good news is that three of them are in the West. This leaves the flightless birds as the top East rival, and Leafs understand that match up would likely still favor the much improved Pens. There's still work to be done, and rumors are management will continue to look for ways to improve the defense over the course of the season, and potentially add another impact winger. As of today the roster isn't as potent or top heavy as some of the others, but if the Bruins proved anything two seasons ago it's that a team can fight their way to a championship as an underdog. Buckle up, because it's going to be a fun season once again in the J!
1st Line
LW Tomas Hertl - C Evgeni Malkin - RW TJ Oshie
D Ryan Ellis - D Nate Schmidt
Analysis: in what was one of the biggest trades in team history, the Leafs acquired superstar center Evgeni Malkin, in hopes that he can lift the team over the hump similar to what his countryman Alex Ovechkin did back in 2011. In Malkin the team gets a dynamic, proven, point per game player that can make those around him better in every situation. On his wings will be couple of complementary players, but the hope is for Tomas Hertl in particular to have a breakout campaign. On D, the pairing of Ellis and Schmidt should see all the ice they can handle, and offer the two way style that the team has been yearning for.
2nd Line
LW James Van Riemsdyk - C Evgeny Kuznetsov - RW Viktor Arvidsson
D Erik Johnson - D Sami Vatanen
Analysis: the 2nd forward line has the potential to be one of the better ones in the leagues, with skill, speed, and a balanced attack. Evgeni Kuznetsov is hoping to learn as much as possible from his friend and namesake Malkin, and eventually take on the mantle as the team's top center. In the meantime he will have two excellent scoring wingers to help him continue on that path. On D the belief is that EJ will complement Vatanen well and allow him to jump into the rush a bit more than he did in Edmonton. One thing is for sure, all teams should have this line circled as they prepare to face the Leafs.
3rd Line
LW Ondrej Palat - C Sean Monahan - RW Tyler Johnson
D Andy Greene - D Andrew Macdonald
Analysis: everyone give a warm welcome to the team's new 3rd line center Sean Monahan. Many skilled players would scoff at the obvious demotion, but not Sean. In fact he sees this as an opportunity to show that he can produce regardless where he is placed in the lineup. To make that easier for him, the team acquired veteran winger Tyler Johnson, who along with Palat, should effectively complement Monahan's scoring ways. Not a prototypical 3rd line by any means, but it should help greatly in bringing balanced scoring across the top 9. On D it's the tale of two Andys, veterans who have been to the dance and understand what it takes to shut down opposition. This will also mark Andy Greene's first and likely last season season as Captain, as he is set for unrestricted free agency.
4th Line
LW Tyler Johnson - C Radek Faksa - RW Brian Gibbons
D Nick Leddy - D Nate Schmidt
Analysis: some fans were up in arms when the team moved Adam Henrique, but the belief is Faksa can be the better fit both this season and long term. The 24 year old two way center is just scratching the surface of his potential, and should see plenty of ice on the penalty kill. Helping him out will be Brian Gibbons, who is coming in with some of the best defensive numbers in the league. The main concern is with defensively futile D Leddy, but the plan is to minimize his exposure at even strength and keep it strictly to the power play.
Goalies
Mike Smith
Jacob Markstrom
Analysis: Mike Smith signed a 1 year deal in the off season and is looking to prove himself as a serviceable veteran starter, and mentor to the younger Markstrom. The team doesn't expect a Vezina level performance, but it would be welcomed. More realistically, above a 0.910 save % and a below 2.70 GAA would ensure some stability, and allow the team to hopefully out score their way to wins. In case Smith falters or needs rest, the team will turn to a very capable backup in Markstrom.
The Farm
Unlike past seasons, there is actually some legitimate talent brewing in the farm. The likes of Joonas Donskoi, Tomas Tatar, Kevin Labanc, Michal Kempny, are all hoping to be a part of the main roster picture either this season or next. These along with some of the younger assets will all be key to both the Avengers, and the Leafs as potential trade pieces to bolster the lineup.
Final Thoughts
As with most recent seasons, the competition is fierce. There's already some early candidates for powerhouse contenders like the Flames, Penguins, Canucks, and the Sharks. The good news is that three of them are in the West. This leaves the flightless birds as the top East rival, and Leafs understand that match up would likely still favor the much improved Pens. There's still work to be done, and rumors are management will continue to look for ways to improve the defense over the course of the season, and potentially add another impact winger. As of today the roster isn't as potent or top heavy as some of the others, but if the Bruins proved anything two seasons ago it's that a team can fight their way to a championship as an underdog. Buckle up, because it's going to be a fun season once again in the J!