With the excitement building to get a look at all the new additions to the Leafs, and the Leafs being part of the realigned Canadian division for this season, there is a lot to look forward to. But when is this thing going to get rolling ?
Without even an official start date to go on, I?m sure I?m not the only one getting anxious for Leafs hockey to begin. (I can only watch so many reruns from last season).
With that in mind, I?m wondering what everyone thinks of all these new additions. I?m particularly interested in seeing which of new additions could really surprise everyone and stand out from the pack.
Who will exceed expectations the most as a Leaf? (I?m not asking who will end up with the most points, but who will be the biggest surprise by being much better than anyone expected)
Joe Thornton
TJ Brodie
Wayne Simmonds
Jimmy Vesey
Zach Bogosian
Mikko Lehtonen
Alex Barabanov
Joey Anderson
There?s been quite a bit of hype about these guys but I?m pretty worried they are old/broken and are going to disappoint:
Joe Thornton
Wayne Simmonds
I?m worried about Jake Gardiner syndrome with this one (seems pretty good but expectations are high and he won?t be turnover-free):
TJ Brodie
Expectations also seem pretty high here for 3rd pairing/3rd/4th liners but I?m hoping someone in this grouping outperforms my expectations:
Jimmy Vesey
Zach Bogosian
Mikko Lehtonen
These guys I?m expecting to be replacement level and not necessarily even make the team so anything beyond 5 min/night is a win.
Alex Barabanov
Joey Anderson
Brodie: I think everyone should view him as a capable 3/4 as Muzz and Rielly are realistically our 1 and 2. At this point I'm hoping Muzz doesnt regress with the way he plays his game. He will be an upgrade on Barrie and Ceci in two way game imo. Does Brodie have the same issue as Jake, basically wilting under pressure?
Thornton/Simmonds... I mean are they that bad that they can't be third or fourth liners on their salary? We can't ignore costs here and recognize we've made our bed with the top 4 and some sprinkling on the D and that everything else is the margins. I don't see why Thornton can't play 3C and if he can't we still have Kerfoot who can slide in if required.
Vesey I don't know anything about other than he didn't sign with us back in the day - willing to see what he can do.
Lehtonen - I probably have the most hope in him just based on how on fire he was in the K to start the year.
Barabanov - I don't actually expect him to play right away and don't see him as much of a player. Joey Anderson otoh I do see as an intriguing depth option, maybe can provide a spark on line 4.
Bogo - I'm willing to see what he brings as a 6th D. He couldn't be much worse than Cody Ceci.
I think the depth is much improved. Always some question marks but we aren't likely seeing guys like this at deals like this next offseason.
