Editor In Leaf
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Toronto Maple Leafs: The Stanley Cup Is Within Reach

By Andrew Boehmer

Apr 17, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs fans cheer for their team before game three against Washington Capitals in the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 17, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs fans cheer for their team before game three against Washington Capitals in the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Toronto Maple Leafs have had a fantastic 2016-17 run, nobody’s questioning that.

However, the possibility of that ending soon is very real as the Toronto Maple Leafs face elimination Sunday night against the Washington Capitals. It’ll be game six and the Capitals have a 3-2 series lead over the Leafs.

It’s not looking too good, but at least the Leafs will be playing at home.

If the Leafs want to advance to the second round, they’ll have to win back to back games against a very good opponent.

Impossible, no. Improbable, yes.

That being said, I don’t think this is their year to win the Stanley Cup. Not a crazy statement to make. I’d even put money down that I’m one of many who would say that.

Although I do think they’ll win the cup very soon.

How soon you ask?

The Leafs will be the 2019 Stanley Cup Champions, mark my words.

Seriously, mark them down so you can refer to this when the time comes.

No Sob Story Here

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I’m not going to sit here and write that the Leafs deserve it or anything like that. Simply put, you deserve what you put into something.

Not because you’ve had over 10 years of bad play, not luck, play. And that’s exactly what the Leafs have had combined with bad coaching/management.

So, please don’t worry about that.

I’m not about the whole, it’s your time just because it’s been a while thing. I’m more about the will to win mentality.

My Reasoning for 2019

What I will say behind my reasoning is this. The Leafs are the best up and coming team in the NHL and the sustainability they’ve built is uncanny.

One could even argue that they’re not up and coming anymore, but rather that they’ve arrived and have some minor tweaks to make.

Here are some quick facts about the team that might just swing you onto my side.

  • The Leafs have three superstar rookies in Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and Mitchell Marner
  • A great veteran core in Tyler Bozak, James van Riemsdyk, Nazem Kadri, Jake Gardiner, and Morgan Rielly
  • Center depth
  • A number one goaltender in Frederik Andersen
  • Brendan Shannahan leading the charge
  • The best NHL coach in Mike Babcock
  • A Hall of Fame general manager in Lou Lamoriello
  • Mark Hunter and Kyle Dubas
  • A great AHL affiliate team

If those aren’t enough to persuade you, then try this. The Leafs finished in the last place in the 2015-16 standings. One year later, they’re playing the Capitals in the first round of the playoffs.

What a turnaround. The greatest in NHL history if you ask me.

I’m telling you, this team is the team to bring the Cup back to Canada.

Better yet, back to Toronto where it belongs.

2019 is the Leafs year, it’s our year.

Who’s Going to Be Right?

That’s my take on this whole topic for what it’s worth. However, I wasn’t the first from Editor in Leaf to have a guess at when the Leafs would win the Cup next.

James Tanner suggested a few months ago that 2018 is the Leafs year.

Who do you think will be right?

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