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As Leaf fans we have been buying each passing merchants snake oil for years. Even before the awful John Ferguson Jr tenure the fans endured the short sighted, over eager and often arrogant approach of the various management teams that have always plagued The Buds. We watched as kids were shipped out for over-the-hill veterans and impulse buys sandbagged the team for years to come.
It's okay Leafs Nation... History is never pretty but the current management group is a beauty. The tear down started by Dave Nonis and continued by Brendan Shannahan and Lou Lamoriello is almost complete with a few exceptions (Oft injured Lupul, Robidas). The team has been lighting stacks of cash on fire in order to clear out the mess of previous regimes and we're finally at the point where additions make sense again.
Goaltending
Before we touch on the draft we'll take a moment to look at the acquisition of Frederik Andersen.
The Numbers: 125gp 77 Wins 26 Losses .918 SV%
So the Leafs have their starter. His numbers are impressive and the management team has done their homework on the 26-year old but what many don't think about is the effect this will have on Jonathon Bernier.
Bernier has been a disaster in Toronto. He's failed to secure the starting job and many fans are hoping to see him shipped out for pucks. As with Dion Phaneuf we'll likely see Bernier get some of the more winnable starts as Andersen's backup. It's not unthinkable to see Bernier bounce back and put up some W's with less pressure. He played very well behind Quick in LA and the arrival of Andersen and the announcement as the Leafs #1 should be enough to reignite the fire in Bernier's belly. Should Bernier bounce back the Leafs have yet another piece that can be traded for picks and prospects.
Defence
The most insecure position on the team. After Morgan Rielly there are many question marks. Which Marincin shows up? Can Jake Gardiner continue to trend up? Where will Nikita Zaitsev slot in? Is Matt Hunwick still a diamond in the rough or is he plummeting back to mediocrity? The best teams in the league are more stable on the back end so it could be the undoing of what could be a big jump from the league basement.
I'm of the belief the teams depth chart is set if the team can add one more workhorse to compliment Morgan Rielly. The Leafs need to find that Suter/Seabrook type D-man who can eat a ton of minutes without being a liability. That said it's a hot commodity and wouldn't come cheap.
Forwards
Forgive my enthusiasm but I believe this is the best group of forwards the Toronto Maple Leafs have ever amassed should they continue to progress together. The level of talent is off the charts. Let this sink in. Kadri, Nylander, Marner, Auston Matthews... All Leaf draft picks. Supplement that group with JVR and while some of the youngsters may not be a lock you have Kappanen, Reichel with high ceilings. A potential Leipsic Gauthier Soshnikov third line to name a few waiting in the wings. Soshnikov is an intriguing talent as well who could have a high ceiling based on his short stint and his incredible shot.
I have to admit I'd love to see Stamkos added to that group but it just does not seem like the top priority considering the level of talent currently in the system. Stamkos wants to be a center which would force Matthews to play second fiddle down the line. A 1-2 punch like that would be incredible but I think Kadri as our #2 is the way to go. Matthews will be able to maximize his potential and the money saved by not overpaying Stamkos can go toward getting a potential premier defensive partner for Rielly on the blueline.
With Mike Babcock steering the ship there is far too much right about this club for it to go wrong any longer. Enjoy the ride Leafs Nation. I know I will. The good times are here to stay.
