The Toronto Maple Leafs are now younger, faster and much more fun to watch

The Toronto Maple Leafs have had an incredibly interesting week, one much more exciting than the typical end of November week with just a single game on the schedule.

Injuries and a suspension have ravaged the Toronto Maple Leafs roster, but rather than hurting them and sending them into some kind of tailspin, they are thriving, and everything that happens just seems to make them better, which is just hilariously ironic.

I mean, even Joseph Woll getting injured before the season started is what opened the door for Anothony Stolarz to win the starter's job. He's been Vezina-quality and it's scary to think of where the Leafs would be without him.

Then the Auston Matthews injury spurred the team to a bizarre 5-1 record (plus whatever happened last night). If that was enough, it would hardly be remarkable, but with ever subsequent "problem" the team has only gotten better.

Injuries and suspensions force the Toronto Maple Leafs into good decisions

For those of us who advised the Leafs to pass on signing Max Domi, and to get rid of Ryan Reaves and David Kampf this past summer, this week has been a mixed blessing. No one wants people to get injured or suspended, but you can't help but notice that everything that happens only makes the Leafs better.

Matthews injury is bad, but even him traveling to Germany could have a positive effect on the season if it forces him to actually get healthy for the playoffs.

As for the rest, it's nothing but sunshine, lolipops, puppy dogs, blue skys and songs by Wilco.

Ryan Reaves, who is not an NHL player, is forced into the lineup every night by a stubborn coach who has many good ideas, but also many outdated ones too. Him being suspended is great news for the Leafs who are now forced to dress a much better player in his place.

Max Domi has no points in 13 games despite playing a good chunk of that on the first line. Not to put too fine a point on it, but he stinks. Maybe it's the injury, but I kind of doubt it. The guy has six points on the year, while the Leafs are getting out-shot, out-possessed and just overall outplayed whenever he's on the ice. Domi has a 47% Expected Goals Rating and negative value on the ice - literally any AHL player it would be reasonable to promote would represent an upgrade based on how Domi is playing.

As for David Kampf, it's incredible the Leafs still have him on their roster. Not only is he an offensive black-hole who can't play effectively above the fourth line, but he is one of the NHL's most expensive fourth liners, and in Pontus Holmberg, the team has his replacement ready to go. Again, it sucks that he is injured, but you can't pretend this doesn't help the team.

Instead of having to watch Domi, Kampf and Reaves take up space, Toronto Maple Leafs fans will now be treated to a steady diet of exciting young prospects like Nikita Grebenkin and Fraser Minten.

I for one, can't wait.