Looking Ahead: Rookies Success, Next Years Team, & Future Trade Scenarios
As a young 20 year old student and sports fan, there hasn't been many historical moments that I have been able to cherish as a life long Leaf fan. I never experienced a Stanley Cup Victory (obviously) and I have never seen major records, whether individual or as a team, be broken by my beloved franchise. Although the former is very much in question and quite frankly nearly impossible, the latter was something totally different. The 2016-2017 season, the year in which I achieved my 20 year milestone, was the year that for once in my life my beloved franchise gave me hope. I still remember the exact moment all the agony, all the disappointment and all the shame took a dramatic turn and transformed itself into renewed optimism, excitement, and of course, hope. I remember whizzing my way home from work so I could catch the much anticipated 2017 NHL Draft Lottery. I can remember myself shaking as I watched Bill Daly flip over each card until it came to the final two. Either the Toronto Maple Leafs or Winnipeg Jets would get the first overall pick. The elation that ran through my body when I see the Leafs logo on the back of the card. It was a feeling I will never forget. The Toronto Maple Leafs will be selecting Auston Matthews at the 2017 NHL Draft! Fast forward to April 13, and the team that finished with 64 points in 2015-2016 season is now, after 13 seasons (excluding the shortened season), finally heading back to the playoffs. It goes without saying a major part of the teams rejuvenated success would be in part to the impeccable work done by President of Hockey Operations, Brendan Shanahan, GM Lou Lamoriello, and the entire management team. The hiring of the best coach on the NHL, Mike Babcock was a massive step in kick starting a successful rebuild. In addition to Babcock, the Leafs have done an incredible job in integrating their youth into their system. The emergence of Connor Brown, home town Toronto boy who grew up as a life long Leaf fan, Mitch Marner another Ontario product, and an electrifying forward who set a Leafs record with 42 assists (prior record was held by Gus Bodnar at 40), and Zach Hyman a tireless worker and penalty killing machine. Even though the back end still needs significant upgrades this offseason (I will be covering shortly!) Brendan Shanahan and co. deserve heaps of praise for bringing over Nikita Zaitsev, a 24 year old Russian defenceman playing in the KHL Russian league who by many standards has staked his place as top 3 defence man in the NHL. Then, comes a name that Leaf fans can't stop talking about and even bragging about. That name is Auston Matthews. It is without any deliberation that Matthews will be this years Calder Trophy recipient as the leagues best rookie and to put it bluntly-no one should be surprised. Matthews set the record for Maple Leafs rookie scoring for goals (40) and points (69) and has proven he truly is a generational talent. In fact, majority of Leaf fans including myself, are expecting the 19 year old to be named Captain of a franchise that's roughly 80 years older than him! Matthews' calm and cool demeanor is a perfect fit for a media pressure cooker like Toronto. When faced by reporters on a daily basis, he exudes a maturity of someone who is well beyond his years. It is evident more than ever, that Auston Matthews will indeed be the next to player to don the "C" for the blue and white.
Despite their surprising success, as stated earlier, Toronto does require serious adjustments on their blue line and added depth to their D-Core. My first projected scenario includes a trade with the Vancouver Canucks that I believe would benefit both clubs who are both in the long process of a rebuild.
TRADE SCENARIO:
Vancouver Receives: James Van Riemsdyk, Rinat Valiev
Toronto Receives: Erik Gudbranson, Brendan Gaunce
This trade proposal would benefit both clubs moving forward. Toronto would receive a rugged right handed defenceman to help fill out the top four. The Leafs already possess two highly skilled puck moving defenceman who don't have enough of a physical presence and style to play a shut down role. The Canucks receive a 27 year old, 30 goal scorer who, in time, will be a fantastic veteran presence up front with a young and talented group of forwards coming up with likes of Brock Boeser, Bo Horvat, Sven Baerstchi, Jonathan Dahlen all knocking on the door. The two other players in the deal would be used as depth pieces with former first round pick Brendan Gaunce who has established himself as a fourth line depth player and Rinat Valiev, who realistically still has a shot of maybe reaching the NHL one day, but for now, would be viewed as simply a depth piece.
From a personal standpoint, if the Leafs were able to facilitate a trade of that stature, many of their defensive issues would be solved. All that would be left in my opinion, would be to make a hard run in free agency at adding another solid defensive piece. The top UFA defencemen entering the 2017 offseason are as follows:
Washington Capitals, Kevin Shattenkirk, 28
Edmonton Oilers, Kris Russell, 29
Washington Capitals, Karl Alzner, 28
Calgary Flames, Michael Stone, 26
New York Rangers, Brendan Smith, 28
Chicago Blackhawks, Johnny Oduya, 35
Philadelphia Flyers, Michael Del Zotto, 26
The big fish coming out of the defensive pool this year is Kevin Shattenkirk of the Washington Capitals. The 28 year old has had a fantastic offensive season posting a total of 56 points, 14 of those coming in 19 games in Washington following his trade at the deadline from St. Louis. However, Shattenkirk will surely be seeking a long term deal to go along with a hefty annual salary. In addition, Shattenkirk's strongest qualities are on the offensive side of the things, where the Leafs are more in need of a defensive, shut down defenseman. Many reporters and analysts believe the Leafs should take a run at right handed defenceman, Michael Stone out of Calgary. At 6'3, 234lbs, he does possess a large frame and a stable presence on the back end and is still only 26 years old. However, looking at the Leafs depth the chart, the right side looks to be full, especially with the hypothtical acquistion of Erik Gudbranson. In my honest opinion, I believe the Leafs should target Karl Alzner out of Washington. he's a tough, solid defenceman who plays a physical shut down role and could fill out the top 4 quite nicely.
SCENARIO:
Toronto Signs Karl Alzner 5 years, 21.25M
This is an afforadable number for the Maple Leafs at $4.25 million per and a fair market value for Karl Alzner as well.
HYPOTHETICAL DEPTH CHART:
Brown (C)Matthews Nylander
Leivo (A)Bozak Marner
Komarov Kadri Kapanen/Soshnikov
Martin Boyle(RS) Hyman
(A)Rielly Gudbranson
Alzner Zaitsev
Gardiner Polak(RS)
Extras: Carrick, Hunwick(RS)
Andersen
McElhinney(RS)
*RS indicates players who would need to be re-signed
*C indicates Captain
*A indicates Alternate Captains
Nobody knows what the Leafs will do this offseason but one thing is for sure; there will be changes and improvements along the way. But for now, we can enjoy something Leaf fans haven't been able to enjoy for a long time... PLAYOFFS!
