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Toronto Maple Leafs: 4 Things That Could Go Wrong

By Ryan Ferguson

SUNRISE, FL - APRIL 10: Two Toronto Maple Leafs fans wearing paper bags over their heads watch third period action against the Florida Panthers at the BB
SUNRISE, FL - APRIL 10: Two Toronto Maple Leafs fans wearing paper bags over their heads watch third period action against the Florida Panthers at the BB /
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#1. Toronto Maple Leafs: Injuries

(Photograph by Julian Avram/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
(Photograph by Julian Avram/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

This is the thing that worries me the most going into next season. The Leafs were  fortunate last year when it came to injuries. Not only did they not have many injuries, but they had very few injuries to key players. Morgan Rielly missed six games with a high ankle sprain, and Mitch Marner missed five due to a shoulder injury.

Mitch Marner Injury

Frederick Andersen also battled some short-term injury problems, but still managed to play 66 games for the team.

In the playoffs, Roman Polak suffered an injury during game 2 of the first round. The injury ended his season (and possibly career). Say what you will about Polak, but he was playing some of his best hockey and his absence definitely hurt the team. If an injury to Roman Polak can have that kind of effect, just imagine what could happen if the team lost one or more of their stars for an extended period of time.

Last season might have had a much different outcome had the Toronto Maple Leafs faced any serious injury problems. The Tampa Bay Lightning were widely considered to be a favourite to win the Stanley Cup. That was before long-term injuries derailed their season and saw them miss the playoffs altogether.

Many Leafs fans and members of the media have lofty expectations for next season. But if the team runs into serious injury problems they could very easily be back to the draft lottery.

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