1310News NHL Preview: Toronto Maple Leafs
Posted Jan 17, 2013 12:09:19 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
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Listen to the full interview with David Alter here:
After missing the playoffs seven seasons in a row, the Toronto Maple Leafs find themselves in a familiar position entering the shortened 2013 season. The club and fan base have high expectations, but there is no real certainty the Leafs will be able to clinch a playoff spot.
“This team can be anywhere from 6th to 12th in the Eastern Conference,” said Sportsnet 590 The Fan’s David Alter. “They have the potential but a lot of things have to go their way if the roster stays the way it looks right now.”
There aren’t many differences between this year’s edition of the Leafs and the team that finished 13th in Eastern Conference last year. With the exception of GM Brian Burke’s shocking departure, the core of the team remains intact. But there are still plenty of holes.
“On defense, they have some depth but they lack the top-end defensive pairings,” explained Alter. “They’re hoping to get more firepower from their forwards.”
Phil Kessel and Joffrey Lupul are both coming off impressive campaigns, each producing a point per game. But that kind of consistency hasn’t been seen throughout the rest of the lineup. Nikolai Kulemin is coming off an awfully unproductive season, and Captain Dion Phaneuf will look to rebound after a lackluster year of his own.
In addition, goal tending is still a major uncertainty for the Leafs. Whether the combo of James Reimer and Ben Scrivens can provide stability in that position remains to be seen.
“It’s the biggest question on the entire team. It’s a tandem that’s even more unproven than last year’s with Jonas Gustavsson and James Reimer,” said Alter. “Can James Reimer regain the form he had for a few months in 2011? That’s the hope but who knows if that can happen soon enough.”
He might not have to if the rumours are true. The Maple Leafs seem be interested in acquiring the always controversial Roberto Luongo, although with several teams in the mix it’s far from a done deal.
No matter who the goaltender ends up being, head coach Randy Carlyle will try to get his team to play better in front of him.
“I think what he’ll try to do is the same thing he tried to do at the end of last year: a commitment to defensive style hockey,” said Alter. “Make sure that no assignments are left in the back end, and then once that happens, then you look to your offensive weapons to try help compensate.”
I asked David Alter if he thinks there’s an x-factor that could swing the Leafs season one way or the other.
“If James van Riemsdyk can be the forward he was two years ago with Philly in that playoff run, that’s something that can really help the Leafs,” said Alter. “It gives them the kind of experience on the ice that many players on the team don’t have.”
Toronto will also hope the extensive talent from their Marlies squad will translate in the NHL.
“The Leafs are looking to try to develop their talent,” explained Alter. “There needs to be patience. It’s kind of resetting the deck. Keeping the core the way it is now and aiming to be a playoff team.”
The Maple Leafs will kick off their campaign Saturday night in Montreal.
Follow Matt Krupovich on Twitter at @1310Matt
