So yesterday you read the post about how the Maple Leafs won’t make the playoffs. Today, I am here to tell you why they will make it. A slam dunk? Hell no. However I think the pieces are in place to get this team to the MLSE payday. Here is why:

First and foremost, the Dream Tream. Burke and his disciples have been at this for long enough in their current roles. This is Burke’s team now and he and the rest of his management team will find a way. These guys know what they are doing, they know what they have and they know how to acquire what they need. The Leafs actually have a hockey department which they haven’t since, well since EVER. Does this mean a cup? No, no cup, but it does mean there should be results.

Next there is accountability and attitude. The Mats Sundin/Tie Domi country club appears to be closed. Wilson and Burke will not allow the players to hide anymore. Losing doesn’t appear to be acceptable anymore.

The additions to the lineups are obvious. Did they add the best players in the league? Maybe not. However the Leafs now have something they haven’t had in years, depth. Their defence from top to bottom should be amongst the best in the league. Consider Luke Schenn. Where does he fit in? There are bodies ahead of him who are going to be getting a lot more ice time than him this season simply because of depth. Up front there are more character players who will help create the type of style Burke want’s his team to play. The younger guys like Stalberg will be fun to watch and he has surrounded them with quality people who play the game the right way.

Goaltending, the coach can’t play, but hopefully he can help those who do. Toskala is in put up or shut up mode. Either he is a number one goalie or he isn’t. If he returns to form from 2 years ago, the Leafs will be in great shape. The Monster seems to have the tools to be a much more reliable backup then Cujo. With the defensive core around them, playing net should be a little bit easier than last year. Now they maybe killing more penalties than in years past, however I think their goaltending will be much improved.

The number one reason the Leafs will make the playoffs is in the numbers. Eight teams make the playoffs. The Leafs finished 12th. 4 teams finished ahead of them. Who makes up the top 8? Well, Pittsburgh and Washington appear to be the closest things to locks. Boston and Philadelphia round out the top 4. New Jersey always seems to make the playoffs and so far there is no reason that I can see that this changes this year. Carolina did well under Mo towards the end of last year so they too will be in the running. So there you have your top 6. That leaves 2 playoff spots left and the pack to fight for them. I refuse to think that the Isles will be all that much better this year. Tampa and Atlanta are crap shoots at best. I am willing to go out on a limb that the Leafs will have at least an equal season to last year. I find it hard to fathom that the three teams who finished behind them will improve enough to pass them. Ottawa traded away Heatley. How much of a cancer was he in the room? Will there be a positive effect or a negative one in having him in San Jose. I am thinking they continue their decline. I am not sure there is team in the league that I am less impressed with their off season than Buffalo. I think Buffalo nose dives this off season. I am not thrilled with the moves the Panthers made either, I don’t see them making the playoffs again this season. Jay Bo was a horse and they haven’t replaced him. That leaves Montreal and the Rangers. I don’t like the moves the Habs made this off season at all. I think they are going to have a tough time getting back to last seasons mark. The Rangers on the other hand should be able to hold ground. I think they did just enough to remain in the hunt.

So as we get closer to the deadline I think Burke will be able to add the pieces needed to get the team to the money making round. I think the addition of Kessel will be a huge moral booster for the Maple Leafs. The pieces may not be there now, but I think they will be. I think there are enough quality guys on the pharm to push those on the big club that they will keep the team moving forward. A lock? No. A team that is interesting as hell to watch this season? For sure. Intriguing will be the word I think we use a lot to talk about the Leafs.

TSM

@yyzsportsmedia

According to Sportsnet, Ron Wilson has named the 3 players that will wear the ‘A’ as alternate (not assistant) captains this season.  I don’t think you’ll be surprised with the names on the list…Kaberle, Komisarek and Beauchemin.

What did come as a surprise is that Wilson said that he expects that one of the three ‘A’s will be wearing the ‘C’ by the beginning of November.  Are we entering another Rob Ramage period where we choose a short term solution?

Don’t get me wrong…I’m a big Kaberle fan and love the Komisarek and Beauchemin pick-ups…I simply don’t know enough about the two new guys and their ability to fill some pretty big shoes.  The list below includes some top notch leaders.  Do the guys above fit the bill?  Do you see the next Armstrong, Kennedy, Apps, Gilmour, Clark or Sittler? 

Leafs Team Captains:

Hap Day, 1927–37, Charlie Conacher, 1937–38, Red Horner, 1938–40, Syl Apps, 1940–43, Bob Davidson, 1943–45, Syl Apps, 1945–48, Ted Kennedy, 1948–55, Sid Smith, 1955–56, Jimmy Thomson, 1956–57, Ted Kennedy, 1957, George Armstrong, 1957–69, Dave Keon, 1969–75, Darryl Sittler, 1975–79, No captain, 1979-80, Darryl Sittler, 1980-82, Rick Vaive, 1982–86, No captain, 1986–89, Rob Ramage, 1989–91, Wendel Clark, 1991–94, Doug Gilmour, 1994–97, Mats Sundin, 1997–2008, No captain, 2008 – 2009

I don’t see Kaberle as the guy….he’s a long time member of the team but doesn’t seem to be the vocal / leader type.  If he was truly the guy, why didn’t they make him the captain last season?  In addition, he’s going to continue to be a target for trade rumours. 

I’m going to vote for Beauchemin – not sure why other than I really liked how he played in the pre-season.  I think everyone knew he was good but was likely overshadowed by Niedermayer and Pronger in Anaheim.   He’s a veteran with a Cup…that alone should help command respect.  

So let’s put the question to the TSM readers….Who will get the ‘C’?

NB: I came very close to adding another option…Mats will come out of retirement and wear the ‘C’

As you consider your selection, take a look at some great Leafs captains:

LT

Here’s your bikini of the day from bikinibeat.org:

On Fan 590 Tonight- thanks to Mike S.

5:05-5:30 Brian Burke IN STUDIO
6:05 Dan Shulman, ESPN
6:30 John Ferguson JR, Sharks Pro Scout on the Mats Sundin retirement
6:45 Iain Page, The Golf Channel…

On 640 with Brady and Watters:

- Jean Perron, former head coach of the Habs
- Rod Black of TSN
- Plenty of discussion about Mats Sundin’s retirement
- Hockey insider Scott Morrison at 6:10

Things had gotten pretty stale around the Raptors lately. Once Bryan Colangelo finished with his offseason makeover, all we could do was speculate and look forward to the start of training camp. Well, it’s here, and two days in there are plenty of fresh stories in each local paper. At this point, nobody really knows what the team will look like on the floor, or how the new group of players will perform. Still, the local media has given the team plenty of love this week, and that’s an understatement.

Put it this way – After reading the stories from the start of training camp, I can’t find anything negative about anyone. From what I’ve read, every single guy is ready for a huge year, while Bosh and Turkoglu’s injuries are being glossed over. And now before anyone accuses me of being a “hater,” (a term I can’t stand), I should add that I expect good things from the Raps. This is more of a commentary on the media than on the players themselves – Again, nobody really knows how this team will play.

But check out the coverage:

From Doug Smith, this piece is yet another article raving about Marco Belinelli’s upside, while ignoring any and every fault in his game…. “General manager Bryan Colangelo raves about the kid, coach Jay Triano thinks he might be one of the big surprises of training camp, executive vice-president and Italian compatriot Maurizio Gherardini said “there’s something about him that’s different.”

Or this article from Frank Zicarelli on Antoine Wright. In case nobody realized, Wright was brought in for his defense. And he hopes to do a good job…mind blowing stuff.

Or this, from the National Post’s Eric Koreen, on Andrea Bargnani… “All signs point to continued maturation for the Italian seven-footer, whom the Raptors selected first overall in the 2006 NBA draft. In the off-season, Bargnani signed a five-year, $50-million US contract, so his mind should be at ease.” Well, I’m sure Bargnani’s mind will be at ease, but he sure as hell better perform. In case nobody realizes, the rest of the league has questioned Bargnani’s extension to no end, considering very good restricted free agents like David Lee have found the market pretty tough this year. In Toronto, though, everything is gravy.

And you don’t have to look far to find glowing first impressions of Reggie Evans and Jarrett Jack, along with pretty much everyone else.

Again, I’m not trying to say any of this is untrue. My point is that whatever you read during training camp needs to be taken with a grain of salt. This is the time when anything seems possible, when every team has playoff aspirations, and when new players are seemingly filled with unlimited potential – Remember the Jermaine O’Neal lovefest from last season?

With an entirely new roster, this was predictable, and a little enthusiasm never hurt anyone. Just remember to stay realistic – Until the team loses, nobody ever gets ripped.

-DL

Here are the lineups for the shows at noon:

All Mats Sundin hall of fame talk!

College of Sports Media Game of the Night:

Including today there are five days left in the 2008-09 Major League Baseball season and there are still four vying for two playoff spots. In the American League the New York Yankees locked up the East, the Angels took the West and not surprisingly the Boston Red Sox clinched the wild card. The only question mark is in the Central division where the Detroit Tigers hold a two game edge over the Minnesota Twins. With weather wreaking havoc on game one of their four game series, the Tigers and Twins played a double-header yesterday which they ended up splitting. So with two games left in their series the Tiger’s still hold a two game lead. Tonight Carl Pavano (13-11) goes for the Twins and Eddie Bonine (0-1) starts for the Tigers. Both teams end their season at home. Detroit plays three games against the Chicago White Sox while Minnesota battles the Kansas City Royals in a three gamer.

In the National League both the St Louis Cardinals and Los Angeles Dodgers have punched their tickets into the playoffs. The Philadelphia Philles’ magic number is one to clinch the East. The Phillies have a five game lead over the Atlanta Braves. So it’s just a matter of time before their in. What is in doubt is the wild card. The Colorado Rockies went into last night holding a two game edge over the Braves. The Rox won. The Braves lost. The lead is now three. The Rockies play two more games against the Milwaukee Brewers and then finish up on the road battling the Dodgers. While the Braves play finish up their series with the Florida Marlins tonight and end their hosting four games against the Washington Nationals.

That collective shudder you just heard throughout the OHL is the surprising return of the 2008-09 Player of the Year, Cody Hodgson of the Brampton Batallion.

Tabbed by many, including TheHockeyNews.com, as a Calder Trophy contender heading into the season, Hodgson continued to show the lingering effects of the bulging disc he suffered in the off-season and did not impress in Canucks camp.

This is Christmas come early for a struggling Batallion squad that has stumbled out of the gate to an 0-3 start to the season after reaching the OHL finals one year ago. Interestingly, Brampton began the year in disappointing fashion last season as well, starting out 2-6 before turning the season around.

Hodgson’s return also marks another entry into what will be a fascinating OHL scoring race. With Nazem Kadri (London Knights) previously being sent down by the Leafs to join Taylor Hall (Windsor Spitfires), Tyler Seguin (Plymouth Whalers), Eric O’Dell (Sudbury Wolves), and Luke Pither and Alexander Burmistrov (Barrie Colts), Hodgson will be in tough to claim the OHL scoring mantle from John Tavares.

So Mats’ agent couldn’t convince him to come back for another year. I guess JP’s kids aren’t going to get that play structure this year after all. So the end of a brilliant career officially begins. Or does it? Don’t get me wrong, it was a brilliant career. The talking heads will most certainly fill the hours today already asking questions about his Hall of Fame eligibility/selection etc. The question that really should be asked today is do we believe him. I mean, defend the player all you want. How he left Toronto, the whole no trade clause “thing” if nothing else can’t instill an ounce of confidence in the words he chooses to use right? I have written here before that Mats lied. When he said you have to be there from the beginning of training camp and then signed with Vancouver way after, it was a in complete conflict with what he said when he refused to waive his no trade clause(which he had EVERY right to do). Mats lovers around the world claimed that he changed his mind (which he also has every right to do). So at the very least, Mats has the penitence to change his mind, at the worst is a liar.

Either way, it says here that we should bank on at the very least rumblings on his return. You already know what the stories will say. Apparently, the goats in Sweden are telling sources that Mats is disillusioned with retirement, that he has started skating in earnest and is talking to no less than 6 stanley cup contending teams, and the Toronto Maple Leafs. The question isn’t if the rumours will hapen but when. We all know they will appear on at least one website. The question is will he “change his mind” again. I suspect right around the time of the Olympics we will start to hear the drumbeats. You know when visa bills post Christmas start to arrive. That’s likely the time his agent will start calling Mats and saying, are you sure you are retired?? I can probably get us, I mean you a couple million prorated for the rest of the season!

Kudos to Mats on a great career. Hell yes he will enter the hall of fame. I just don’t believe it’s time to call it over just yet. I mean a man can change his mind right?

If you haven’t read the story on Sportsnet yet, the Leafs have made public their opening night line up.  While Komisarek is nursing a sore hamstring; he is expected to be ready for Thursday night.

Perhaps there is only one surprise considering the players that will be left out due to injury.  Mayers, Finger and Van Ryn will all start the season watching from the press box wearing ice packs.   Kulemin is the only player to lose a job and Tlusty the hopeful prospect from ’08-’09 that couldn’t crack the line-up.  Bozak doesn’t make it yet….but nobody will be surprised to see him play some games later in the season – Wilson will likely not hesitate to send messages if someone is not playing to his expectations. 

The surprise to some will be the inclusion of Jay Rosehill.  I like this move.  Rosehill held his own in the pre-season…In addition to his toughness, he showed that he could play two-way hockey.  He is versatile as well as he played most of his career as a defenceman.  I’d much rather have a guy like Rosehill on the 4^th line than Jamal Mayers.  We need some “youthful exuberance” in the line up and Rosehill along with Stalberg will supply just that.

Here is the line-up:

Forwards:

Blake-Stajan-Stalberg

Grabovski-Hagman-Ponikarovsky

Wallin-Stempniak-Mitchell

Rosehill-Primeau-Orr

Defence:

Beauchemin-Schenn

Kaberle-Komisarek

White -Exelby

In net:

Toskala

Gustavsson

NB: I’ve posted this as it appears on Sportsnet…these are the opening night lines but I doubt they reflect exact positions in all cases (e.g. Hagman and Stempniak as centremen?).

It will be very interesting to see what Wilson/Burke do when Kessel arrives.  If there are no injuries to the higher priced players when he is activated (with his $5.4M contract); Wilson and Burke will have some tough decisions to make if they want to carry the league max of 23.

We are only a couple of days away….cant wait to get the season started.  Let’s see if the media improves their game this season like Burke has likely done with the team.  We can only hope for a Wilson v. Berger round II.

LT

TSM: Hey all- part one in a new thing we are trying here, point/counterpoint. Mark Farmer is up with his point (to which I, TSM) shall offer my counterpoint tomorrow…. and now…the Point:

Hey Everyone! My name is Mark Farmer, and I have been grown up watching the Toronto Maple Leafs for as long as I can remember. I like all of you haved lived through some of the biggest mess ups in Leafs history, John Ferguson JR? Looking in your direction.

But from what I’m hearing from some Leafs fans today, and I hope they are joking, is that the Maple Leafs are on the verge of making the playoffs this season. Come Again?

Granted the Leafs will be much improved from the last few years of futility and competing well enough for a low playoff spot or finishing just outside of the eight best teams in the NHL’s Eastern Conference.

Now all of a sudden because of the addition of a few college kids, only one or two who will be with the team on Opening Night, and some added new toughness with the likes of Mike Komisarek(who may not be able to dress Opening Night) and Garnet(don’t call me Grant) Exelby, and the trade for Phil Kessel(who hasn’t arrived yet) to give them much needed scoring, they are expected to compete for a playoff spot. Sorry I don’t buy it.

They didnt address one major glaring error, Goaltending. Don’t tell me Jonas Gustavsson is the savior, as good as he may be for the Leafs in the future. He still has to learn how to play hockey in the NHL and Europe. He is also still a rookie.

Hockey may be hockey, any way you slice it, but NHL vs Europe is completly different. Don’t believe me…Chicago Blackhawks: 9. HC Davos: 2.

Will the Leafs make the playoffs this year? I don’t think so because the team hasn’t had the chance to gel like other teams have.

And I know this is said by every Leafs fan by Christmas of every year, but Wait ’til Next Year. Then they have a chance.

Editors note- stay tuned for tomorrow’s counterpoint by TSM on why the Maple Leafs WILL make the playoffs.

Here’s your bikini of the day from bikinibeat.org:

On Fan 590 Tonight- thanks to Mike S.

- open phones with Jeff Blair from 4:05 to 4:40
- co-host from 5:00 to 7:00 is jim Kelley
- 4-5 Phones
5:25 David Shoalts – Globe and Mail on the Leafs
5:45 Adam Rita – Toronto Argonauts GM
6:05 George McPhee – Washington Captials GM
6:30 Sean Burke – Phoenix Coyotes goaltending coach
6:45 Jarrett Bell – USA Today on the NFL

On 640 with Brady and Watters:

-          Dave Randorf of TSN-
          Brian Duff of NHL Network
-          Rob Schremp, claimed by the New York Islanders-         
Hockey insiders Darren Dreger and Bob MacKenzie at 6:10