Perspective

Twenty-eight days from today, somewhere around 9:30 p.m., the Maple Leafs will have completed their 20th game of the season with a home start against the Dallas Stars.

Any chance we can wait at least until then to make any firm pronouncements about the quality, or lack thereof, of this year's Leafs?

Moreover, any chance Nazem Kadri can be permitted to play 20 games in the minors before he reverts back to being the only person capable of saving the Leafs?

Seriously, folks. I mean, I get that the Leafs were hammered by the Flyers on Saturday night in Philly, although it's probably useful to remember this was a Philadelphia squad that came within two victories of taking home the Stanley Cup last spring.

Stinker? Sure, and it deserved to be identified as such. The Leafs probably have at least another 10 of those coming this season, and the same will be the case for the majority of NHL clubs in this terribly bunched league.

Look around. There's no shortage of teams off to more disappointing starts than the Leafs. You can start with New Jersey, check out what's happening in Ottawa and notice that the Oilers have lost four straight since winning their first two and No. 1 draft choice Taylor Hall has yet to score a goal.

Think they're ready to declare Hall a bust already? Don't think so.

Even the good teams are having bad nights. San Jose is struggling and got hammered by Calgary on Sunday. Chicago lost to Columbus.

And the best team in the league? Well, Nashville, of course. Everybody knew that was going to happen, right?

Fact is, as the league sorts itself out, it's not entirely clear whether the Leafs are improved or not. I had 'em down for 85 points, and right now their record is better than that.

They're still in first in their division. Their last four games included a terrific OT win in New York, a dominant performance in a home ice OT loss to the Islanders, a weak effort at the ACC in a defeat to the Rangers and Saturday's stinker.

So in four game, two good ones, two bad ones. Three of a possible eight points. Not the consistency good teams have to have, but not quite Armageddon, either.

Defensively, this team looks significantly improved, and Luke Schenn looks like a player reborn on the back end. Contract years do funny things, and remember, if they'd done the right thing and sent him back to junior as an 18-year-old, they wouldn't be facing the conundrum of a new contract until the summer of 2012. But that ship has sailed.

The challenge for Ron Wilson is going to be to coax enough offence out of this group without having it fall into its old, bad defensive habits, and the goaltending is going to have to stay sturdy. Maybe Jonas Gustavsson could play a little more than he's been playing.

Now, of course, there's nothing wrong with fans or the media criticizing the team after a bad game. Nothing at all. But a couple of bad games does not mean this team will finish 29th again just as four straight wins to start the season shouldn't have had anyone dreaming of engraving the team's name on the Presidents Trophy.

This is clearly a squad still trying to find itself. It was never going to be a Stanley Cup year, but always one in which scratching and clawing to make the post-season was going to be the result. Individually, games are going to be good or bad, but it won't be at the very least until the 20-game mark when one can draw any useful conclusions.

And Kadri? Let the kid learn with the Marlies. There's no rush, and while he's the easy solution to point to for every armchair quarterback, every day he serves his apprenticeship in the AHL is an investment in his future.

 

 

Comments

[Sanj]

Has Dion had a good game yet this season? He looked really, really, really bad against the Flyers. Leaf fans better hope that this is just a one off. It's one thing to be a bad player but also this is the captain of your team. YIKES!!!

[Chad]

well said Damien......well said.

[Conn Smythe]

This should be required reading for any fair weather fan...

[mark]

Can't disagree with you Damien. Leaf fans (and I count myself amongst them) tend to get overly excited. However, I couldn't help but notice you make your usual reference to Shen and your unyielding assertion that he shouldn't have been playing in the NHL the last 2 seasons. Before this season, it was his play that you pointed to. Now that his play has improved, it's his contract situation you point to. In a way, you are as guilty as the fans about over reacting to perceived issues. Let's look at the facts. Shen has played great, so the Leafs brass must have known what they were doing in letting him develop in the NHL. And, regardless of having to negotiate with him this year versus next, he will be a pillar of this team for years to come. Perhaps MLSE would have deferred the bigger pay cheque by one year, but in my opinion that's not necessarily a bad thing. It means he's developed ahead of schedule and they now have a future linch pin in place. The glass is half full, not half empty when it comes to Luke Shen.

[Hank Gatt]

reasonable ... but are talking to the fans or your brethren in the media?

[Moe Green]

Agreed Damien, especially about Kadri. I can think of nothing worse for his development or the team than to bring him up prematurely as the savior. But I will say that I see this as a recurring problem with this team. It seems that small victories go to their heads, or perhaps more accurately, their skates. IMO they have simply stopped skating. Thus, the relentless forecheck has disappeared. I doubt if it's fatigue so it has to be one of effort or coaching. What do you think?

[Moe Green]

Look, this team wins four in a row, I expect a loss, maybe two - not three, four, five! That's the problem. No one would have complained had they beaten either the Isles or the Rangers. I expected them to lose against the Flyers. You can't go 82-0! But how about 5-0. 5-1, 5-2, 6-2, 6-3, 7-3 etc. That's what I expected.

[Krakondack]

We as fans will hold back when you and the rest of the writers hold back 20 games before making an assessment.

[vince picchiello]

Thats as good an article written about the Leafs in a long time. Honest and unbiased, no doom no gloom.

[Luke from MLHS]

Excellent article, Damien. However, it is your brethren in the MSM that are putting all the spin on these winning/losing streaks. I kindly ask you to check out some of the more level headed Leaf forums out there (I'll gladly provide you with some references). The vast majority of fans have been saying exactly what your article has stated. It's the few bipolar folks in the MSM whipping up the frenzies in an effort to sell papers/ad hits/tv revenue. Don't blame us for this.

[Jay]

I'm....uh...speechless. Damien defending the Leafs!? Me agreeing with everything he says!? Oh the time of Reckoning must be near.

[prize maple]

The only way this crew is going to win many games is by focusing on defence first. With 2 decent goaltenders and by all accounts a quality defensive lineup, this is the only true strength the Leafs enjoy. The first few games of the season were an excellent example of this but, sure enough, the Leafs have reverted to their old habits (i.e. ill-advised pinches, cross-ice passes through the neutral zone, solo efforts in the offensive zone leading to quick turnovers, etc.). You're right Damien, Ron Wilson is going to have his work cut out for him with this bunch.

[mark]

Damien = Hypocrite. Just like all the talking heads in Toronto, the speculate relentlessly on the fate of the team, individual players and coaches... then tell fans not to get excited. What a joke.

[OL]

Damian, I think you are dead wrong about Kadri. No, he is not the 'savior', however, he is offensivly and skating wise well above the nhl average, and the Leafs lack scoring. To keep him in the minors to learn defense is silly because you can play him on the wing and then it doesnt matter so much. If this was a development/draft year, then I would agree with you, but b/c of the Leafs accelerated rebuild and the lack of first rounder combined with 7 callander years having elapsed by the next (possible) play off game, The Leafs pretty much HAVE to make the playoffs. Since that is true, they cannot afford to leave their best allround offensive player in the minors. Ask yourself this, if Kadri would have been given Bozak's ice time so far this year, would he have more then 3 assists? The answer is that even if played like total crap he would have that - at the very least. Nothing against Bozak and Im not saying he is a savior, but Kadri is - withstanding a trade for Richards - the second best option and the fact he is not on the team is ridiculous.

[Aaron]

This article is exactly what people have to think about before jumping to any conclusion. Fans/Media have gone from "Plan the Parade" to "Armageddon" in a matter of 7 games. Dion is not going to be Mats - he will not score a bunch of points. I'm ok with that. He needs to be vocal, solid on the blue line, and keep the team focused. That will make him a worthy captain.

Let's face it. The Leafs are a borderline playoff team at best. If they finish 9th or 10th in the East, this will be a successful season.

Damien nailed this one. More articles like this please.

[mike matthews]

You have 'em down for 85 points? For real? They had 74 last year and should have had less. No doubt you are part of the withering nation. Good luck with that!

Die Hard Habs Fan (who else)