The Toronto Maple Leafs kick off training camp this week.
In anticipation or the most anticipated Toronto Maple Leafs season in recent memory, I present to you a list of pre-season predictions. Not a list of predictions about the Pre-Season, but a list of predictions made prior to the seasons!
The Leafs will have John Tavares in the fold, giving them the best centres in the NHL. They are one of the only teams with more than one 50 point defenseman. They are the only team with three 30 goals centres.
So I expect big things.
Toronto Maple Leafs Predictions
#1: Auston Matthew Hart Trophy
This prediction would not be such a ‘hot take’ if not for the presence of Connor McDavid. McDavid is, far and away, the best player in the NHL. He should have won last year’s Hart, if not for the stupid idea that your team must make the playoffs to be in consideration.
The Oilers should make the playoffs, and McDavid will likely lead the league in scoring. But I predict that Matthews will lead the NHL with over 60 goals and take home the league MVP.
Matthews already scored at a higher pace 5v5 last year than Ovechkin did when he scored 65. Add in some extra PP goals, Tavares helping to create room and I think Matthews is going to score at will.
Prediction: Matthews explodes for 65 goals, wins the Hart and forces people to consider if he is closer to McDavid’s level than previously thought.
# 2 Jake Gardiner – Morgan Rielly Paired Together
It was all over Twitter today that Rielly expects to be partnered with Ron Hainsey again.
Don’t count on it.
The Toronto Maple Leafs now have a GM who has appeared and spoken at analytics conferences. Kyle Dubas is 100% aware of the fact that Hainsey was not a very good 5v5 player last year, that he dragged Rielly down and that Rielly and Gardiner have a history of excelling.
Mike Babcock is known to be open to advice and new ideas (it’s a defining characteristic of 100% of people who reach the top of their professions) and I predict he’ll listen to reason.
Despite Rielly’s expectations, I predict he and Gardiner are the Leafs top pairing this season.
#3 Josh Leivo Plays Regular Minutes in Breakout Role
Another thing that I am certain Kyle Dubas is aware of: Players like John Marchessault, Rielly Smith, Colin Miller, Nate Schmidt and Erik Haula all took the success they had in small sample sizes at the bottom of NHL lineups and parlayed it into top-pairing/line results when given a chance.
Josh Leivo does nothing but create shots, scoring chances and goals when he’s on the ice for the Leafs. Yes, it’s been in a limited role, but with few exceptions, players who can perform low in the lineup can perform higher up.
I don’t expect the Leafs to be in the habit of giving away assets and so I figure they’re going to get Leivo into the lineup. Paired regularly with any one of Tavares, Matthews or Kadri, I expect big things from Josh Leivo this year.
There you have it: Matthews will win the Hart, Rielly and Gardiner will make up the top pairing, and Josh Leivo will finally breakout.
And a bonus fourth prediction: the Toronto Maple Leafs will win the Stanley Cup.