Prediction #9: Sheldon Keefe is nominated for the 2020-21 Jack Adams Award
A lot was made of the Toronto Maple Leafs coaching change in November of 2019. Out went the veteran, old-age style in Mike Babcock, and in came an injection of youth and creativity in Keefe.
The team clearly became numb to Babcock’s message and it seemed as if the only way to get this team out of their rut was to remove the man in charge. And boy did the team respond. Take a look at the team’s stats through Keefe’s first month as the Leafs head coach.
https://twitter.com/rahef_issa/status/1208456616787533824?s=20
Those explosive results immediately following the change appeared to reignite the love for the game the team had lost during the first few weeks of the season. But as quickly as the turnaround happened, just like that, it disappeared again.
Injuries began to pile up, most notably to the Leafs two most important defensemen Morgan Rielly and Jake Muzzin. Frederik Andersen’s shaky goaltending further complicated the Leafs pursuit of a playoff position. In the end, Toronto stumbled to the finish line and what seemed like a dream beginning to a coach’s tenure felt like a distant memory.
This season should be different though. In the All-Canadian division, the Leafs should undoubtedly be viewed as the favourite. Dubas improved the blueline, bolstered the backup goaltending position, and injected the bottom six with different elements, which should leave all the inconsistencies the team faced before in the rear-view mirror. If the team can re-establish themselves as the dominant force they were to begin Keefe’s tenure, look for the sophomore head coach to receive plenty of praise.
Prediction #10: Auston Matthews Captures His First of Many Rocket Richards
Alex Ovechkin. David Pastrnak. That is it.
Those are the only two players who stood between Matthews and the goal-scoring title in 2019-20, with the Leafs center finishing one back of forcing a three-way tie.
Since Matthews has entered the league, only the Russian phenom ranks above him in total goals with 181 to Matthews’ 158. But looking beyond that, Ovechkin has also played 31 more games and has taken 310 more shots than Matthews.
The Washington Capitals’ captain also has averaged 1:12 more ice time per game than Matthews has, plus has played 607 more minutes on the powerplay. If you even out all of these extenuating circumstances, it is conceivable to think Matthews would be a lot closer to Ovechkin’s total or even would have surpassed him. After all, Matthews leads him in even-strength goals (stats; NHL.com).
Heading into 2020-21 with the same two competitors for the Rocket Richard as 2019-20, Matthews should be the odds-on favourite. Ovi is still a great player but he is also 35. His decline is bound to happen, and it may very well come this season. Pastrnak underwent offseason surgery and will be missing the start of the season. Torey Krug, the Bruins’ powerplay quarterback also left in free agency, almost guaranteeing their PP will take a step back.
And think about this: only 1 Canadian team (Winnipeg Jets) ranked among the NHL’s top 14 in fewest goals against last season. This year should be Matthews’ best opportunity so far to claim the goal-scoring title. With the face of the Leafs franchise just beginning to head into his prime, count this trophy win as the first of many.
With a vastly improved roster and the heavy favourite to claim the All-Canadian division crown, the stars may be aligning for the Toronto Maple Leafs to make the along awaited playoff run Leafsnation desperately needs.