Toronto Maple Leafs: 5 Things to do While the NHL Is Suspended
Last week, the NHL announced that it would be pausing the 2019-20 NHL season until further notice due to concerns over COVID-19.
The NHL, along with many other hockey leagues around the world, have come to this decision to pause their seasons. For the Toronto Maple Leafs, this means it’ll be a while before the hunt for a playoff spot and Auston Matthews’ 50-goal campaign resumes.
For hockey fans everywhere, this isn’t news that was taken lightly. With so much hockey left to be played, I’m sure we’re all saddened r at the fact that there won’t be NHL hockey for a while.
Although the league did promise that their goal “is to resume play as soon as it is appropriate and prudent, so that [it] will be able to complete the season and award the Stanley Cup,” it’s possible that this suspension can go on for a while.
But the call the league made was the right call, as the health and safety of everyone is far more important than playing out games at this time.
As unfortunate as it night be, it’s something we all have to live with. So what do we do in this situation? Well, there’s still a number of different ways you can get your hockey fix and your Toronto Maple Leafs fix in until the season resumes. Here are five different things you can do.
1) Get to know the upcoming draft class
While the rest of this season’s structure is still up in the air, one thing is sure to take place no matter what–the NHL draft.
The Toronto Maple Leafs may not have a first round pick this year, but that shouldn’t stop you from wanting to learn about the upcoming players who will be taking over the league in the next few years.
The Leafs Toronto Maple Leafs still hold a second round pick, two fourth’s, a fifth, and three in the sixth and seventh rounds each. There’s plenty of talent in the later rounds that can be uncovered and it’s always interesting to try and figure out who would fit the Leafs system best.
Using sites like Elite Prospects, Hockey Prospect and even the NHL’s own draft rankings, you can figure out who the Toronto Maple Leafs might want to consider drafting in the later rounds or who might just be a diamond in the rough.
And, while it’s unlikely, there is still the remote possibility that the NHL season could resume, and that the Leafs then miss the playoffs. Should that occur, they would not give the Carolina Hurricanes their first round pick this year, and would then select one of the better prospects available.
Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Nick Robertson #16 of the Peterborough Petes (Photo by Chris Tanouye/Getty Images)
2) Study up on Current Toronto Maple Leafs prospects
If studying up about the future isn’t for you, study up on the present.
The Leafs already have a number of talented prospects in their system who are lighting up their respective leagues.
Take Nicholas Robertson for example. He has taken the OHL goal-scoring title this season and he did it with ease,. scoring 50 goals in under 50 games.
Robertson quickly climbed up in the ranks of the Toronto Maple Leafs farm system after being a second round pick for the Leafs just last year, when he was the youngest player selected in the NHL Entry Draft.
Had his birthday been just a couple of days later, he would have been in the upcoming draft class, and likely would have been a fairly high first round selection.
Or how about his teammate Semyon Der-Arguchintsev? He ranked second on the Peterborough Petes in points after Robertson with 75 points, and while he may or may not ever make the Leafs, his talent is out of this world, and if he does, he figures to be a star player.
The Leafs have a ton of prospects like these who are the future of this team. It’s quite easy to find their highlights, so make sure to look them up and get hyped for the next generation of Leafs hockey.
3) Read about the Toronto maple Leafs
Of course, while you’re stuck indoors, there’s nothing better than getting cozy with some good reading material. We here at Editor in Leaf are continuing to write great Leafs content for your hockey fix.
If you’re a bookworm though, there’s plenty of books about the Toronto Maple Leafs and hockey available both online and in ebook format. A few suggestions from me are:
- The Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey Club: Official Centennial Publication: This book was published in 2016 as a celebration of the Leafs’ 100th anniversary and is an officially recognized publication by the Leafs. It tells the complete history of the team through the words of former Leafs legends, coaches and managers themselves.
- Shift Work by Tie Domi and Jim Lang: This is the autobiography of legendary Leafs tough guy Tie Domi, which details his career in the NHL and his time with the Leafs.
- The Toronto Maple Leafs: The Complete Oral History by Eric Zweig: This is a complete and comprehensive history of the Toronto Maple Leafs with accounts from former players, coaches and managers.
- Killer: My Life in Hockey by Doug Gilmour and Dan Robson: This one’s another autobiography from another Leafs legend, Doug Gilmour. You can read about the superstar’s time in the NHL, which included an unforgettable stint with the Leafs that solidified him as one of the all-time Leafs greats.
TORONTO, ON – MAY 17: Wayne Gretzky #99 of the Los Angeles Kings skates by Doug Gilmour . (Photo by Graig Abel/Getty Images)
4) Watch Old Leafs Games
If you’re really itching to watch some hockey again, why not watch old Toronto Maple Leafs games?
Starting Friday, the NHL and Sportsnet have decided to make full replays of all 2019-20 NHL regular-season games already played available to stream on demand for fans during this time.
All you need to do to access these games is go to NHL.com or NHL LIVE. It’s always great to go back and analyze the Leafs throughout the season or just watch your favourite highlights.
You’ll also have access to plenty of classic games on the NHL website. And if that doesn’t satisfy you enough, you can find highlights or footage of even more old Leafs games on YouTube.
Might I suggest the ’93 and ’99 playoff runs, when the Maple Leafs made it all the way to the conference finals?
Sure, they didn’t win, but that is some of the most exciting hockey the team has ever played.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JUNE 19: Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs . (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
5) Play some NHL 20
Finally, this one’s for you gamers out there. If you own a Playstation 4 or Xbox One, now’s the time to hop on it and get your hockey fix virtually.
NHL 20 is this year’s instalment of EA Sports’ annual series of NHL hockey video games.
Whether you want to play alone or with friends online, you can have any two teams in the NHL face off against each other whenever you want.
With mostly everyone stuck in their homes for the next little while, online gaming is the most convenient way to interact with friends without even coming into contact with them.
Did I mention that this year’s cover athlete is none other than Auston Matthews! You can play as the Toronto Maple Leafs and finish off the NHL season if you’d like, create a player of your own and play for the Leafs, or play through a number of other features.
And if you’re looking to pick up NHL 20, you’re in luck because it is currently on sale for just $24.99 on Amazon.
Next. How to make the Toronto Maple Leafs a Stanley Cup Contender. dark
So let me know how you’re spending time practicing social distancing in the comments below and remember to stay safe.