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Toronto Maple Leafs: 2021-22 Atlantic Division Preview

By Andrew Kogut

TORONTO, ON - MAY 31: Paul Byron #41 of the Montreal Canadiens is tied up by Zach Bogosian #22 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during Game Seven of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on May 31, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Canadiens defeated the Map[le Leafs 3-1 to win series 4 games to 3. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - MAY 31: Paul Byron #41 of the Montreal Canadiens is tied up by Zach Bogosian #22 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during Game Seven of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on May 31, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Canadiens defeated the Map[le Leafs 3-1 to win series 4 games to 3. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Maple Leafs
TORONTO, ON – MAY 31: Some of the 550 Healthcare workers allowed to attend play between the Montreal Canadiens and the Toronto Maple Leafs   (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /

Toronto Maple Leafs

Ah, Toronto. Like a horrible ex that one just cannot seem to shake. Like a bad movie that you just can’t stop watching until it’s finished.  Such is a life of a Toronto Maple Leafs fan.

In all honesty I think this is quite a good team that has a ton of young, quality depth with solid goaltending and a strong defense. There are some holes to fill on the wings, however, with Zach Hyman leaving for Edmonton, and all the players attempting to replace him having come directly from the bargain bin.  One might also make the case that most, if not all, of Bunting, Ritchie, Kase, Mikheyev and Simmonds may only be nothing more than quality 4th-line producers right now.

Moreover, after Tavares the quality of the centre position is quite limited with Kampf, Engvall and Spezza (who should only be taking draws at centre, not playing the position) all best suited for the 4th line too.

Jake Muzzin is another year older and won’t be able to carry Justin Holl for much longer and one of Dermott or Sandin will be playing their off-side on the 3rd pairing. Oh and this team has lost in the first/qualifying round in five straight years. Maybe I wasn’t being that dramatic after all.

Toronto’s best fake NHL name: Noel Hoefenmayer. How fitting that the most disappointing of all these names is on the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Toronto Maple Leafs and the upcoming season

The Leafs open their season against the Montreal Canadiens next Wednesday, as the 2021-2022 NHL season gets underway. I see the Atlantic race being, in this order.

Next. 3 Reasons Why the Leafs Will Win the Cup. dark

Tampa, Toronto, Florida, Boston, Montreal, Ottawa, Detroit, Buffalo. Hopefully the Leafs can win their second straight division title, but I just can’t see it happening at this point.

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