5 Reasons For Toronto Maple Leafs Fans to be Optimistic

Re-Tooled Forward Group Designed for Playoff Hockey

It appeared this past season that Kyle Dubas finally realized that the Toronto Maple Leafs needed more sandpaper in the lineup, particularly up front.

Unfortunately, his trade deadline additions weren’t enough.  Ryan O’Reilly played well but apparently wasn’t happy in Toronto, and Noel Acciari was a useful, hardworking winger, but didn’t move the dial when it came to instilling fear in the opposition.

Also, Dubas kept Wayne Simmonds around at least one season too long.  Although the “Wayne Train” was well-liked by both teammates and fans, age had taken its toll.  Simmonds was no longer effective as an intimidator, or for that matter, even an average fourth line banger.

New GM Brad Treliving quickly changed the dynamic of the Toronto Maple Leafs forward corps.  Ryan Reaves gives the team a physical presence that has been sorely lacking for too long.  He won’t play much, but he will make opponents think twice before taking liberties with guys who aren’t paid to rough it up.  Reaves is also known as someone who will liven up a quiet dressing room.

Tyler Bertuzzi takes over the Michael Bunting role, but with a little more size, skill and toughness, although at 5 x the cost.

Bunting was a good pest until he took his act too far (and I don’t just mean the playoff suspension for knocking Erik Cernak into next week).  If the referees dislike you so much that they no longer call penalties on the opposition, well, you aren’t much use any more as a pest.

Finally, Max Domi is another agitator with some skill, who won’t back down from anyone in a skirmish.  Domi is one of those players that annoys everyone that plays against him, but is good to have on your side.

Note that both Bertuzzi and Domi were signed by the Toronto Maple Leafs to one year “show me” contracts, so they will be motivated to do just that.