The Toronto Maple Leafs season may resume.
It might not happen, but maybe we will be watching playoff hockey (which will include the Toronto Maple Leafs) in the near future.
Since I am not a scientist, or doctor, I have no opinion on the subject. If the NHL decides to come back, I only hope they do so with the blessings of the scientific community.
When it comes to hockey, anyone is entitled to their opinions. But when it comes to questions of life and death, it is the people who have trained their whole lives to become experts who should be deciding, not people who are bored or want to make money.
So, assuming that the NHL comes back with the blessing of the medical and scientific communities, then here are my predictions for the upcoming end of season/playoffs.
Toronto Maple Leafs Predictions
1. There will be intense debate about if the season really counts. The word “asterisk” will become a massively debated and overused word.
The argument will be dumb. If everyone agrees to the rules, it doesn’t matter what the rules are so shut-up.
2. There will be a lot of upsets.
The situation is going to be weird. Some players will have trouble focusing or adapting. As a result, there will be lots of wacky results.
3. The NHL will come up with some wacky over-complicated formula for determining who makes the playoffs and no one will be happy with it.
Some weird team that wouldn’t have otherwise made the playoffs ends up winning the Cup.
4. Florida will be this team.
As everyone knows, Sergei Bobrovsky likes to alternate. If the season starts with an odd number, he will be terrible. If it starts with an even one, he’ll be a hall of fame quality goalie.
He will be tricked by the long layoff into thinking it’s next year and will suddenly become unbeatable.
5. The Toronto Maple Leafs will do well.
With a healthy lineup and a Freddie Andersen that has a lot to prove, the Toronto Maple Leafs end up in the final against the Panthers, even though that shouldn’t even be possible.
6. A Secret Identity Revealed.
In a shocking revelation, it will be revealed that William Nylander kept up his training by fighting crime as a masked vigilante back in Sweden during the quarantine.
7. The NHL will require full face masks.
This will lead to outrage and protest from the Brandon Leipsic fanclub, but it will end up being such a non-issue that the NHL adopts a rule forcing players to permanently wear proper face protection.
While they’re at it, they finally force players to wear neck protection, they call the game by the book, they ban fighting, treat cross checks to the neck like headshots, and ban the use of hard plastic shoulder and elbow pads.
Just kidding, but we can wish, right?