The Toronto Maple Leafs are three days from opening training camp.
While the Toronto Maple Leafs training camp is sure to provide entertainment in the form of an uncertain roster with lots of battles, the real fun doesn’t start until October 2nd.
In the meantime, we’ve got to find ways to entertain ourselves, and one way of doing that is taking a poll from the site regulars to see how they’re viewing the Leafs upcoming season.
Below I will list a line, and you tell me if it’s over or under.
Toronto Maple Leafs Over/Under
110 Points
Going back five year, it seems 110 points is roughly the threshold you have to hit to have a reasonable shot at winning the division. Last year, you could make a case that that both Toronto or Boston could have won the Cup while having their first round matchup being their toughest. Winning the Atlantic is paramount for the Toronto Maple Leafs, so I’ll take the OVER here.
Auston Matthews 50 Goals
The crazy thing about Matthews is that if was healthy, he wouldn’t even need to have a lucky year to hit 50. He hasn’t peaked yet, and I think his pace was 45 goals last year, despite coming in and out of the lineup, a power play that didn’t hit its full potential and a lack of ideal wingers.
I’ll take the OVER here with my stated belief that Matthews will one day score 60.
Nylander 61 Points
Nylander breaking his career high is automatic, I’ll take the OVER.
Babcock Coaching 81 Games
I think the Leafs would fire Babcock if they go into a prolonged tailspin, but I think that is unlikely to happen. I’ll take the Over.
Rielly 72 Points
Rielly had a career year last year, but Tyson Barrie and a normalizing of his percentage are going to bring the totals down a bit. UNDER.
Ben Harpur Plays One Game
The Leafs have Rielly, Muzzin, Dermott, and Barrie in their top four. They’ll have Ceci, Liljegren, Sandin, Holl, Marincin and Schmaltz ranked higher on the depth chart than Harpur. I’ll take the UNDER – Harpur doesn’t play in the NHL this year.
Bracco, Liljegren and Sandin – Play One Game
I predict that Bracco will be a surprise addition to the team in training camp, and that all three of these guys at least make their NHL debut this season. Over, Over, Over.
Stanley Cups Won – .5
I’ll take the over here too. This is the year the Toronto Maple Leafs make good on their promise to win the Stanley Cup.