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Toronto Maple Leafs: Rating Recent Leafs News

By John

Apr 19, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews (34) celebrates his goal against the Washington Capitals with Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Matt Hunwick (2) and forward Connor Brown (12) in game four of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Washington defeated Toronto 5-4. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 19, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews (34) celebrates his goal against the Washington Capitals with Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Matt Hunwick (2) and forward Connor Brown (12) in game four of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Washington defeated Toronto 5-4. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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“Goals, Assists, and Penalties” is a collection of NHL and Toronto Maple Leafs news, and my opinions on the subjects.

“Goals” are deemed to be something positive, “Penalties” are deemed to be something negative, and “Assists” are generally something positive but often could be better. Enjoy!

Goal: Protecting Josh Leivo. The guy produces, what more do you want.

Goal: Protecting Leo and Martin. Martin brings more to the team that Rychel does or will.

Penalty: Lou’s tight lips.  No leaks coming from Toronto is always zero fun.

Assist How hard Garth Snow is trying not to get fired?  I always thought he was terrible.  But maybe he can pull something off.  This is his last chance to turnaround the direction of the

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franchise, or at least I hope it is.  If he loses Tavares and STILL keeps his job, I will begin to understand why I don’t know a single Islanders fan.

Goal: George McPhee and playing armchair GM.  So much fun to watch.  I wish I was George McPhee. How much fun would it be to make deals with every team in the league all at once? Nothing like working from a position of strength. Apparently he has deals with as many has HALF the teams. Wow.  It’s like NHL ’17, but for real.

Assist: I wonder if Vegas will do such a good job that they will make it more difficult to accumulate such good prospects or picks in the next expansion.  I really hope so, because by that time the Toronto Maple Leafs will have an abundance of great players.

Penalty: Having to do the expansion again to get to 32 teams.  Couldn’t we have just waited and done both at the same time?

Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

Goal: Jack Adams. Babcock must win this.  If he doesn’t the NHL should be ashamed of themselves. The Jack Adams usually goes to the team that exceeded expectations. With 8-10 rookies on the roster, who would have thought the Maple Leafs could have done anything like they did this season? Nobody. Expectations will only inflate in the coming years making it next to impossible for Babcock to win any other season.  This is the year, if only because he cannot go his career without winning at least one Jack Adams.

Penalty: Did I mention I’m so jealous of George Mcphee?  Gosh, his job would have been fun the last couple of weeks and months.

Goal: “We have too many players now”.  Mike Babcock is saying it the way it is.  Oh so sweet to be in this position so quickly after a rebuild.

Assist: Hunlak. What would you do with Roman Polak and Matt Hunwick? I would resign one of them, but I couldn’t tell you which one. …Maybe I’m not cut out to be George McPhee if I can’t even decide on a #6/7 defenseman.

Assist: Draft 2017. The real one, not the expansion.  I really hope this draft is more like 2015, than it is 2016.  I loved what Mark Hunter and Kyle Dubas did in 2015 by getting skilled players.  The decision to go with a bunch of overagers in 2016 was a little concerning. #DubasforGM

Penalty: Kovalchuk…no.

Penalty: Kappy. I love this kid. I see this guy being in the top four by mid-season. It will be the four untouchables, Marner, Matthews, Nylander, and Kapanen.  He is that good.  Not to mention clutch. When Kasperi gets his chance in a top 9 role, he will become untouchable.

Next: Want To Become a Contributor to EIL?

Under Review: Should Lou be extended for another one or two seasons? I may have leaked my thoughts already, but it’s still a good debate.

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