Toronto Maple Leafs: How to Handle a Special Season

I began writing for Editor In Leaf in early August. Since then, I feel like I’ve subconsciously started each article with a phrase along the lines of “2017-18 is going to be a special year for the Toronto Maple Leafs.”

There’s a reason as to why my brain has spat those words out every single time. It’s because it’s true. Prior to last season, the Toronto Maple Leafs hadn’t experienced a “special year” since I was 8 years old. I’m 21 now. That’s a long time. God, what has happened to my youth?

So, naturally, I’m worried about how inexperienced Leafs fans are in handling a special season, myself included. To cope with this, I happen to have some advice.

As the regular season kicks off tomorrow night, I simply ask you to hear my pleas. Maybe we can help each other handle the madness set to unfold.

Roster Shuffling

Toronto is the only NHL city where debate surrounding the team’s fourth line centre dominates the news cycle. Do you think Arizona Coyotes fans are screaming about whether Brad Richardson or Zach Rinaldo will be their 4C? I doubt it.

Yet, here we are, wringing our hands over whether a former 5^th round pick, a salary dump, or a veteran on a one year deal will earn the privilege of playing ten minutes a night. C’mon, guys.

Take a gander at the Leafs opening night roster from a year ago. Some interesting names pop up. Seth Griffith was the fourth line centre. Jhonas Enroth was the backup goaltender, and, funnily enough, Milan Michalek was on the third line. Remember him?

Five games later, Michalek would be sent to the AHL. Enroth would falter through three underwhelming starts, only to be replaced by Antoine Bibeau, who would then be replaced by Curtis McElhinney. Griffith was waived, claimed by Florida, waived by them, claimed again by the Leafs, and then sent to the Marlies. What I’m trying to say is that the opening night lineup rarely remains constant throughout the regular season.

Whether it’s Dominic Moore, Eric Fehr or Miro Aaltonen occupying the 4C on Wednesday, I can guarantee you that it won’t stay that way. The same goes for what happens on D. Multiple factors will cause the lines to be blended constantly. Such is the beauty of an NHL season. You never really know what is going to happen.

Injuries

I’ve previously written about how improved this organization has been in their handling of injuries. The Toronto Maple Leafs now employ a cutting-edge performance science division that can be credited with last year’s unprecedented lack of injuries.

Alas, even with a fantastic support system, injuries will happen. And the Leafs are not just aware of that, they’re actually counting on it.

Allowing players as good as Kasperi Kappanen or Josh Leivo to waste away in the press box or AHL is simply irresponsible. Because of this, the Leafs happen to be the NHL’s only team that would actually be better off were someone to get injured.

Now, I may be nothing but a broke student, but I would wager a significant amount of money on the fact that, come Christmas, one of either Kappanen or Leivo will have secured an NHL job. It is simply inevitable.

This ties into my point about roster shuffling. It’s okay to be heated about Matt Martin taking a lineup spot away from these guys. I’m not thrilled about it either. It’s just that 82 games of fast paced hockey tends to wear on the human body.

Please, save your energy now. You’ll need it for the playoffs.

Snap Judgements

Last season, as Halloween reared its spooky head, Auston Matthews embarked on a 13-game pointless drought. Fluctuations in production are customary for first year players, and even more so for 18 year olds. Alas, this is Toronto, and a certain unnamed media outlet immediately asked the question: “Had Auston Matthews Hit a Wall?”

Well, Matthews ended up scoring 40 goals, along with leading the Toronto Maple Leafs back to the playoffs. So, if he did hit a wall, he sure busted that thing down. Regardless of how stupid that question was, not to mention all the “William Nylander trade rumours” that came exclusively from that same outlet, it brings forth a good point.

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Don’t make snap judgements.

If Auston Matthews can go 13 games without a point, so can Patrick Marleau. Or Mitch Marner. Or Nazem Kadri. If that happens, DO NOT take to twitter and demand a trade. For the love of god, we’re better than that.

Fans were spoiled last year. I can just picture Marner sputtering out of the gate and immediately being diagnosed with a sophomore slump. Don’t be that person. Be better than that. The season is 82 games long, with some stretches being less productive than others. We’re real contenders now, guys. Let’s act like it.

And, if you take one look at my twitter feed during a game, you better believe this applies to me too.

Final Plea

At this point, you’re probably sick of me telling you what to do. I get it. So my final plea to you is this. Enjoy this season. I’ve spent most of this piece saying that the season is 82 games long, but you’d be surprised how fast those games fly by when the guys on the ice are playing well.

Next: No Need for Realistic Expectations

We waited an entire summer for this moment. If you ignore everything else I’ve said up until now, please heed these words. Because this season is going to be special. Let’s all enjoy it together.