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Toronto Maple Leafs Can Become the New 2010 Chicago Blackhawks

By Matthew Rodrigopulle

Nov 5, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews (34) and forward William Nylander (29) congratulate defenseman Jake Gardiner (51) on his goal against the Vancouver Canucks at Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated Vancouver 6-3. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews (34) and forward William Nylander (29) congratulate defenseman Jake Gardiner (51) on his goal against the Vancouver Canucks at Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated Vancouver 6-3. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 17, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Frederik Andersen (31) makes a save as Florida Panthers forward Seth Griffith (24) looks for a rebound at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated Florida 6-1. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 17, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Frederik Andersen (31) makes a save as Florida Panthers forward Seth Griffith (24) looks for a rebound at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated Florida 6-1. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Frederik Andersen (acquired in 2016) — Antti Niemi (signed in 2008)

Obviously a proper rebuild has to have a solid goaltender between the pipes. Both Frederik Andersen for the Leafs and Antti Niemi for the Blackhawks are comparable goaltenders.

Niemi accumulated 26 wins and seven losses during the 2009-10 season, in which he was 27 years old. Andersen put 35 wins and 12 losses in 2014-15 and 22 wins and 9 losses in 2015-16.

Andersen is currently 27 years old, and has similar numbers to Niemi that can backup his case to be a Stanley Cup contending goaltender.

BONUS: Management

The 2010 championship winning Blackhawks roster was formed by a few key individuals. Similarly, the Leafs have formed a management team who is determined to do things right, using a lot of strategies comparable to those of the Blackhawks .

After Brenden Shanahan decided to completely retool the Leafs’ front office, he brought in the most reputable coach in the game right now, Mike Babcock, and a hall-of-fame general manager in Lou Lamoriello. in 2010, the Blackhawks front office was headed by general manager Stan Bowman and coach Joel Quenneville.

Chicago’s front office was similar to the Leafs in the fact that they believed they should build their team the right way–patiently and through the draft. This strategy proved to be successful, and in only his second season as coach, Quenneville was able to bring the cup to Chicago.

Although the Leafs victory would take a bit more time, the duo of Babcock and Lamoriello may actually seem more reputable than that of Quenneville-Bowman, so Leafs fans should not fret.

Next: Is there a plan for Frank Corrado?

Overall, the comparisons between these two teams’ rebuilds are very similar. While time can only tell if certain players pan out to their projections and whether or not the Leafs will be able to bring a cup home, it seems as though the Leafs are well on their way to being a top contending team in the NHL’s future just like the Blackhawks.

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