Welcome to the “5 things” series here at Two Pad Stack!
As we head toward the twilight days of summer, each team has some unanswered questions that need addressing before the season gets started. Luckily for you, the staff here at 2PS will bring those questions to light.
Today, we take a look at a team trying their damnedest to make it back to the playoffs once again: the Toronto Maple Leafs.
1. Has Jonathan Bernier claimed the #1 goalie spot?
It certainly seems as though he’s the leading candidate to take over. Bernier looked spectacular at times on his way to a 26-19-7 record, posting a 2.68 goals-against average and a .923 save percentage, the latter placing him eighth in the NHL.
But James Reimer, with his new two-year, $4.6 million deal, looks like he’ll at least get a shot heading into camp. After all, he was the guy that led the Leafs back to the playoffs for the first time in nine years back in 2012-13. He went 12-16-1 with a 3.29 GAA and .911 save percentage, taking a huge step back last year.
If Reimer can regain his form from two years ago, the Leafs will have a good problem on their hands in that they have two good goaltenders and they don’t know which one to go with. That’s never a bad thing to have.
2. Will Phil Kessel ever get the credit he deserves?
While Kessel isn’t exactly the game’s best-kept secret, he is a touch underrated when it comes to his scoring prowess. He finished tied for sixth in the NHL last year with 80 points in 82 games, lighting the lamp 37 times.
Still, it seems as though he’s not given all the credit he might deserve in Toronto. Playing in a hotbed like that where the media pressure can crush you, Kessel is criticized for not being able to get the Leafs over the hump and back into the playoffs on a consistent basis. They poke fun at his awkwardness and his physique, rarely praising his rare offensive skills.
At this point, it’s not only going to take a top-ten offensive effort, but he’s going to have to play a key role in getting the Leafs back into the playoffs and challenging for a Stanley Cup.
3. Can David Clarkson rebound?
If you watched the NHL for even five minutes last year, you’ve probably heard a little about Clarkson. The offseason prior, he signed a huge six-year, $37.65 million deal with the Leafs. It was controversial then, as the 29-year-old winger was one year removed from his first (and only) 30-goal season and had never scored more than 46 points.
To say that he disappointed last year would be a massive understatement. First, he was suspended 10 games to start the season for leaving the bench during an altercation in the preseason. The 60 games he did play in didn’t go much better. He scored just five goals and 11 points, turning in as abysmal a performance as he possibly could.
This year, Clarkson will be counted on to not only contribute more offensively, but hone his edgy game to be more effective and helpful towards the Leafs’ cause. He doesn’t have to do much to improve on last year, but he’s got to make a big leap forward in year two to make his deal anything but a train wreck.
4. Can Nazem Kadri take the next step?
Following the 2012-13 season, Kadri seemed like he was on the verge of stardom. He’d just scored 18 goals and 44 points in 48 games during the lockout-shortened season, a pace that would have seen him score 75 points over an 82 game season.
Last year, he improved on those numbers, but his pace dropped. Still, he posted career-highs in goals (20), assists (30) and points (50) in his second season in the league. For the Leafs to return to the postseason, they’ll need Kadri to not only continue his growth, but take on a role as one of the team’s stars.
Kadri has all the offensive skills to make that jump and it’s not unreasonable to think he could hit 30 goals and 70 points in what could be a very big year three.
5. Which, if any, prospects can we expect to see this year?
Though he’ll likely start and spend most of the year with the Marlies of the AHL, Greg McKegg could see time as an emergency call-up. He’s got a nose for the net, but needs to work on becoming sturdier and stronger on his skates to take the abuse that comes with the NHL.
On the back end, Stuart Percy has shown a strong offensive game from the back end and, like McKegg, could see action on an emergency basis. He’s still likely a year away, but he could be a nice find to slot in as a bottom-pairing defender in the short-term future.
Follow me on Twitter: @TwoPadStackRW
