Toronto Maple Leafs: The End Of The Cup Drought Is Near
It’s a little-known secret that the last time the Toronto Maple Leafs won the Stanley Cup was in 1967.
Yes, the Toronto Maple Leafs have the longest Cup drought in the NHL as it’s been almost 50 years since they last won the most coveted prize in hockey. However, there’s a team in the MLB that’s had it far worse. The Chicago Cubs went 108 years before reclaiming the Commissioner’s Trophy awarded to the World Series champions in 2016. Above anyone else, the Cubs community can feel empathy for the Leafs and their fans.
There’s just one question that can be conjured up after the Cubs latest title. Is it the Leafs time to win the Cup and end the drought? I’m not saying that this is the year they do it. But, you have to admit that they’re trending in the right direction.
This season has been nothing short of thrilling and entertaining. They’re a good team, maybe even a great one. Let’s take a closer look at some of the reasons for their recent success.
Rookie Rampage
Everyone team knows that when they play the Leafs, they have to watch out for their rookies. These kids are on a tear, rewriting the franchise and league wide records books. Between all the rookies on the Leafs roster this year they have combined for 243 points. The team’s top two point producers are Matthews (55) and Marner (49).
The surge is ongoing as the spotlight shines on these kids each night they take to the ice. Never before in the 100-year history of the NHL has one team had three rookies win Rookie of the Month in an NHL season. Matthews, Marner, and Nylander were the recipients of the award.
Matthews is set to break the franchise rookie goal scoring record by Wendel Clark (34) in the next couple of games. Matthews and Nylander have both had hat tricks this season and Zach Hyman holds the franchise record for most shorthanded goals by a rookie for the Leafs. What can’t they do?
Nazem Kadri’s Lit
This has been Kadri’s breakout season or if you prefer, career season. His previous highest point total was 50 in 78 games played during the 2013-14 season. In 63 games played this season he as accumulated 25 goals and 47 points. He plays against top line competition each night as a shutdown center and still manages to come in clutch.
Under the tough love philosophy that Mike Babcock has instilled in him over his tenure as Leafs head coach, Kadri has flourished. He’s becoming a leader on the team on and off the ice and is earning his contract. He is an acting veteran presence on this new and young team. His improvements to his overall play couldn’t have come at a better time because they serve as an example to the youngsters who are just finding their way.
Special Teams Are Special
If someone were to tell me that the Leafs would have the best powerplay in the entire league at any point in this season, I would have said they’re nuts. But, it’s true. The Leafs sit first in powerplay this year at 22.9%. Who would have thought they’d be the best at putting the puck in the back of the opposition’s net with the extra man?
They’re also not too bad at keeping it out of their net when down a man. They sit ninth in penalty kill at 83.3%. I would credit much of the improvement on the PK to Hyman. As mentioned earlier, he does have three shorthanded goals.
Playoffs?
Yes, believe it or not. The Leafs are in a pretty good position to make the playoffs this year. Be optimistic, trust in the plan. The organization wants to make the playoffs too. It’s not just you and me. I know they’re struggling when it comes to the shootout. But, they’re still managing to sneak a point in a shootout loss.
The Leafs have a bright future ahead of them. This is just the beginning and things will get even better. Plans are coming to fruition and we will soon see the fruit of Brendan Shanahan’s scorched earth plan as the team strides toward their long-awaited playoff presence. They will win the Cup again, nobody’s questioning that. But, when? Time will tell.