Previewing the Leafs Prospects at the World Junior Championships

By Alex Hobson

Hey everyone. I apologize for the lack of articles as of late, my schedule has been insanely busy. However, what better way to kick off my articles again than a preview of our prospects playing at the World Junior Championships? This year, the Leafs have five prospects playing at the tournament, and all of them will be a treat to watch. They have two representing Canada, two representing Sweden, and one representing Finland. Without further ado, let's take a look at these young guns and what they bring to their respective teams.



Mitch Marner, C/RW - Team Canada

Last year, Canada was the team to watch at the tournament. They had scoring from almost every player, and duo of Arizona Coyotes forwards Max Domi and Anthony Duclair were something special to watch. Marner will likely slot into a second line right wing role on Canada this year, playing alongside of Coyotes prospect Dylan Strome and Devils prospect John Quenneville. Marner and Strome have potential to be the Domi and Duclair of last year. Though Canada isn't looking as stacked as last year, they still have a good chance at winning gold.



Travis Dermott, D - Team Canada

Dermott wasn't as much of a shoo-in to make Team Canada as Marner was, but when playing he still has the potential to be an effective defenseman. He plays a solid two way game, isn't afraid to throw the body despite his size, so he'll likely be battling with Roland McKeown and Joe Hicketts for a spot on the bottom pairing during the tournament.

 

William Nylander, C/RW - Team Sweden

Heading into this tournament, William Nylander was projected to be one of the tournament's top players. He's leading the AHL in scoring at age 19 with 33 points in 26 games and is an all around extremely skilled offensive forward. He was projected to play on the team's top line with his brother, Alex, who is a projected top ten pick in the 2016 NHL Draft, and Minnesota Wild prospect Joel Eriksson-Ek. Unfortunately, Nylander took a head shot from a Swiss forward in Sweden's first game of the tournament and he left the game. His current status is unknown.



Dmytro Timashov, LW - Team Sweden

This guy was arguably one of the biggest steals of the draft in 2015. Timashov was a fifth round pick, and he currently has 35 assists and 53 points in 29 games for the Quebec Remparts. The Ukranian-born Swede has the potential to surprise people at this tournament under a very stacked Swedish offense. He'll likely play in the middle six on the team and get powerplay time as well.



Kasperi Kapanen, RW - Team Finland

The Leafs' only prospect representing Finland, Kapanen will likely sport a veteran role in the top six and play alongside somebody by the likes of Jesse Puljujarvi or Patrik Laine, two projected top 5 picks in the 2016 NHL Draft. He has potential to be an impact player for Finland, who like Sweden have a stacked offense.

Thanks for reading, everyone. Merry Christmas.

12/19/15 Blue Jackets Game Preview vs Philadelphia

By William Espy

(All Time Home Record vs Philadelphia 6-2-2)
Following a high scoring affair in Arizona which resulted in a 7-5 victory for the Blue Jackets, they return home tonight to play a divisional rival, Philadelphia Flyers. These teams have met once already this season, which resulted in a 4-1 Columbus victory. The Flyers are currently sitting in eleventh in the East four points out of a wild card position with a game in hand.
Very similarly to the Dallas Stars with John Klingberg, the Flyers have Shayne Gostisbehere who appears to be this season’s breakout defenseman. In 16 games this season, “Ghost” as he is affectionately known in the City of Brotherly Love has posted 11 points which includes 6 goals (3 of which are game winning goals).
The scoring from the Flyers’ stars has been lackluster, with former Blue Jackets Jakub Voracek posting only 20 points which consists of only two, yes TWO goals. Captain “G” Claude Giroux has not struggled at all however and he currently has 28 points in 32 games.
Unexpectedly, the Flyers goaltending especially from Michal Neuvirth has been phenomenal. Neuvirth has started 16 games this season and appeared in a total of 18 and has a .937 save percentage and a 2.06 goals against average. Former Blue Jacket Steve Mason has not been as good, but has posted respectable numbers which are a .912 save percentage and a 2.76 GAA.
Blue Jackets coach John Tortarella announced this morning that not only David Savard will miss roughly four weeks with an ankle injury, but Jack Johnson is questionable for tonight’s game. On a positive note, Cody Goloubef and Sergei Bobrovsky were skating with the team and Rene Bourque has been activated from the IR.
Andrew Bodnarchuk has seemingly earned a long term spot on the Blue Jackets blue line, creating an issue when the entire defensive corps is healthy again.
Projected Lineups:
Flyers:
Michael Raffl - Claude Giroux - Brayden Schenn
Jakub Voracek - Sean Couturier - Wayne Simmonds
Chris VandeVelde - Pierre-Edouard Bellemare - Ryan White
Matt Read - Scott Laughton - R.J. Umberger

Michael Del Zotto - Radko Gudas
Nick Schultz - Evgeny Medvedev
Shayne Gostisbehere - Luke Schenn

Steve Mason
Michal Neuvirth

Blue Jackets:
Boone Jenner- Ryan Johansen - Nick Foligno
Scott Hartnell - Alexander Wennberg - Brandon Saad
Matt Calvert - Brandon Dubinsky - Cam Atkinson
Gregory Campbell - William Karlsson - David Clarkson

Ryan Murray - Fedor Tyutin
Kevin Connauton - Dalton Prout
Justin Falk - Andrew Bodnarchuk

Joonas Korpisalo
Curtis McElhinney

Blue Jackets Game Preview vs. Dallas Stars

By William Espy

 

The Blue Jackets look to rebound following a tough 2-1 loss against Tampa Bay on Monday tonight against the Dallas Stars. Dallas is a very tough team to play against and has broken out as one of the top teams in the league this year. Led by superstar forwards Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin, the question is not whether the Stars will score however it is how much they will score.

Since entering the league in 2000, the Blue Jackets have struggled against the Stars posting an all-time record of 19-26-6 against them. Their record in the American Airlines Center is a lackluster 10-13-2. However the last ten games in Dallas have been kind to the Jackets who have a 6-3-1 record during this time. On top of that, since joining the Eastern conference the Jackets have not lost in Dallas at all posting a 3-0-0 record.

Last season, both games ended with a score of 4-2 with the visiting team leaving with two points, however this was when the Jackets had Sergei Bobrovsky available to play, a luxury they unfortunately do not have tonight. While on the topic of goaltenders, last night in Tampa Bay Joonas Korpisalo made his NHL debut and impressed pretty much everybody watching him. He posted a 2.07 GAA and a .931 save percentage. It can also be said that neither goal was his fault to begin with as they came off of inopportune turnovers from Alexander Wennberg.

Dallas is currently first in the NHL with 101 goals for to this point in the season while the Blue Jackets are in the middle of the pack with 75. Goals against is another beast entirely however, Dallas is 17th with 78 while the Jackets are a bottom feeder in 28th with 94.

PROJECTED LINEUPS

DALLAS

Benn-Seguin-Nichushkin

Janmark-Spezza-Eaves

Roussel-Eakin-Sharp

Sceviour/Moen-Fiddler-Hemsky

Goligoski-Klingberg

Oduya-Demers

Nemeth-Benn

Lehtonen

Niemi

COLUMBUS

Jenner-Johansen-Saad

Hartnell-Wennberg-Atkinson

Calvert-Dubinsky-Foligno

Campbell-Karlsson-Clarkson

Johnson-Savard

Murray-Bodnarchuk

Tyutin-Prout

Korpisalo

What’s Next for the Blue Jackets?

By William Espy

It is no surprise that the Blue Jackets have been disappointing this year to say the least. All is not lost though, while the chances of them making the playoffs are rapidly decreasing it is not impossible if they quickly turn it around. Regardless of how they finish off this season however, changes are going to be necessary in order to keep many of the young players currently on the roster. Players who will need to be resigned by July 1 include the likes of Boone Jenner, Ryan Murray, William Karlsson, Kevin Connauton and Dalton Prout.

Rene Bourque’s expiring $3.33M cap hit will be a major point of cap relief for the Blue Jackets, however this will likely only be enough to resign a single player or possibly two. It is very likely that one of the pending RFA defensemen will be dealt, however it comes down to whether the team is going to keep Prout or Connauton if they keep either one. Another possible solution if neither are kept would be recalling Michael Paliotta or another prospect defenseman which would probably be Oleg Yevenko, Zachary Werenski or Dean Kukan and play them beside Cody Goloubef who has been arguably one of the Jackets’ best blue liners this year. Ryan Murray is likely to receive a low money, short term bridge contract around $2.5M for 3 years.

The next issue revolves around forwards. Extending Boone Jenner is a top priority for Jarmo Kekalainen as he continues a greatly impressive breakout season which creates another salary cap issue. The maximum increase for the salary cap is projected to be roughly $3 million, however it is much more likely to be around $1 million and possibly up to 2 which will provide some relief for the Blue Jackets but not much. This will likely cause a player like Matt Calvert or Cam Atkinson to be dealt either at the deadline or the draft with Calvert being the easiest for the Jackets to move. However if both are dealt, it will open up a gap for blooming prospects Oliver Bjorkstrand and Sonny Milano to possibly break into the NHL lineup.

Nothing is for certain and the Blue Jackets future definitely fits this cliche. Fans need to get ready to fasten their seatbelts for the long road ahead this year.

Maple Leafs December Prospect Update: Volume 4 - AHL Edition

By Alex Hobson

Welcome to the final part of my four part monthly prospect updates. We've already covered the CHL, NCAA, and Europe, so today we'll look at the AHL's Toronto Marlies, where tons of prospects are showcasing their skill. Without further ado, let's get going.

Casey Bailey, C (Undrafted, signed as free agent in 2015)

When the Leafs brought in Bailey as a free agent standout from Penn State University, he was known as a big centre with a powerful shot and a hard worker. He's working hard, and has a decent amount of points with 8 in 15 appearences for the Marlies.

Antoine Bibeau, G (6th round, 172nd overall in 2013)

Bibeau has an attractive looking record in the AHL, going 6-3-0 in nine starts, but unfortunately his individual stats aren't looking great. He currently has a 3.64 GAA and a .869 save percentage. That being said, he's been solid for the Marlies.

Connor Brown, LW (6th round, 156th overall in 2012)

No update on Connor Brown to this date. He remains out indefinitely with a broken foot, but before the injury he had put up 4 points in 8 games.

Sam Carrick, C (5th round, 144th overall in 2010)

One of the most strictly defensive forwards on the Marlies this season. Taking on a defensive bottom six role, Carrick currently has 8 points in 21 appearences.

Frederik Gauthier, C (1st round, 21st overall in 2013)

The Leafs knew what they were getting when they snagged up Freddy the Goat in the first round of the 2013 draft. He has the potential to be one of the best defensive players in the NHL in the future. He currently has 10 points in 22 games for the AHL squad.

Zach Hyman, C/RW (5th round, 123rd overall in 2010 by Florida, acquired via trade)

Hyman has suited up nicely for the Marlies this season. He's currently producing at an average 0.5 PPG with 11 points in 22 games.

Kasperi Kapanen, RW (1st round, 22nd overall in 2014 by Pittsburgh, acquired via trade)

Kapanen made himself known among Leafs fans when he was the main piece coming back from Pittsburgh when they traded their beloved scorer in Phil Kessel. Kapanen currently has 9 points in 15 games for the Marlies.

Brendan Leipsic, LW (3rd round, 89th overall in 2013 by Nashville, acquired via trade)

Leipsic reminds Leafs fans very much of pests Brendan Gallagher and Brad Marchand, as well as former fan favourite Darcy Tucker, but he has a good offensive edge as well. He currently has a respectable 14 points in 23 games.

Josh Leivo, LW (3rd round, 86th overall in 2011)

Leivo continues to prove that he should be a full time NHLer at this point, supported by the fact that he has 21 points in 21 games, but he's being waited out in the minors to make sure he develops correctly due to the new process preached by Leafs management.

Viktor Loov, D (7th round, 209th overall in 2012)

The Sodertalje, Sweden native only has 6 points in 21 games for the Marlies, but don't let that distract you from the rest of his play. I had the opportunity to watch him live in a preseason game this year against Ottawa, and the one thing I noticed is his size doesnt interfere with his speed and skill. He has all the tools to become a solid NHL defenseman one day.

William Nylander, C/RW (1st round, 8th overall in 2014)

Generally when a prospect like Nylander goes on a hot streak, they cool down eventually. That's not the case for this guy. Free Willy has an AHL leading 29 points in 22 games, and he's doing all this as a 19 year old. He's NHL ready, but much like Leivo was left to develop for one more year. He is an insane player and without a doubt will be a Leaf this time next year.

Stuart Percy, D (1st round, 25th overall in 2011)

There is no part to Stuart Percy's game that will wow you, but he's consistent everywhere. He can play strong defensively while contributing offensively as well. He currently has a respectable 10 points in 21 games as a defenseman.

Ryan Rupert, LW (6th round, 157th overall in 2012)

Rupert had a solid campaign for the Marlies while he was here with 4 points in 8 games, but he has since been demoted to the ECHL's Orlando Solar Bears.

Nikita Soshnikov, RW (Undrafted, signed as free agent in 2015)

Soshnikov compares his game to fan favourite Leo Komarov, said in an interview the other day, but even though his assists haven't been there, his goals have. He's put up 7 goals and 10 points in 21 games for the Marlies.

Garret Sparks, G (7th round, 190th overall in 2011)

Yeah, I know, the All Spark is currently on the Leafs, but he's still considered a prospect and he spent most of this year with the Marlies so he gets an update anyway. He's put up an 8-2-0 record with a 1.90 GAA and a .938 save percentage with the Marlies, and currently has a 2-1-0 record with a shutout with the Leafs this season.

Thanks for reading. The next update for this series will come at the beginning of January.

Maple Leafs December Prospect Update: Volume 3 - Europe Edition

By Alex Hobson

Welcome back to part three of my monthly prospest updates. We've already went over our CHL and NCAA prospects and discussed the likes of Mitch Marner, Dmytro Timashov, and Jeremy Bracco among others, so today we'll go over our prospects currently playing in Europe. Without further ado, let's get started.

Pierre Engvall, Mora IK, LW (7th round, 188th overall in 2014)

The big forward taken in the last round of the 2014 draft, the Ljungby, Sweden native is currently having a solid campaign with Mora IK of the SHL. He currently has 11 points in 26 games for the squad. He could potentially join the Toronto Marlies next season, but expect him to remain in Sweden for another year.

Fabrice Herzog, ZSC Lions, LW (5th round, 132nd overall in 2013)

Herzog is making himself known as a member of the Lions. Playing alongside of projected 2016 first overall pick Auston Matthews, he's currently performing at near a point per game pace, recording 14 points in 18 games. Like Engvall, expect Herzog to play out an extra year in Europe rather than come to Toronto next season.

Andreas Johnson, Frolunda HC, LW (7th round, 202nd overall in 2013)
The Leafs may have found one of the hidden gems of the 2013 NHL Draft with this pick. Johnson is really stepping up for Frolunda this season. He currently has 21 points in 24 games playing in a men's league in Sweden, and has elite vision and nifty hands. Expect him to join the Toronto Marlies next season.

Jesper Lindgren, MODO Hockey, D (4th round, 95th overall in 2015)
Lindgren has shuffled between MODO Hockey and MODO Hockey J20 while playing there, and he's proved to be a decent defenseman for them. Putting up an outstanding 9 points in 6 games with MODO J20, but having his game drop while playing for MODO with only 3 points in 20 games. It's entirely possible that he picks up his game very soon.

Thanks for reading. Tomorrow, we'll take a look at the Toronto Marlies.

Maple Leafs December Prospect Update: Volume 2 - NCAA Edition

By Alex Hobson

Welcome back to part two of my monthly prospect updates. This edition, we'll be covering the Leafs prospects currently playing in the NCAA. Without further ado, let's get started.

Tony Cameranesi, University of Minnesota-Duluth, C (5th round, 130th overall in 2011)

Cameranesi isn't one of the more heard of prospects in the Leafs' farm system, but he's been flying under the radar and has been having a great season for UMD. He currently has 13 points in 11 games playing alongside of teammate and fellow prospect Dominic Toninato.

Dakota Joshua, Ohio State University, C (5th round, 128th overall in 2014)

Dakota Joshua, the man with two first names, and the man who destroyed playing for the Sioux City Falls Stampede of the USHL last season. He isn't currently performing at the pace he did last year, but keep in mind he's still doing pretty good given the fact that he's now playing for a university team rather than a junior team. He currently has 3 points in 8 games for OSU.

Dominic Toninato, University of Minnesota-Duluth, C (5th round, 126th overall in 2012)

Toninato is playing alongside of teammate Tony Cameranesi on UMD's team this year, and while he's not performing at the pace of Cameranesi, registering only 6 points in 13 games, those are still pretty decent numbers for a University player. Both have been playing key roles on a well rounded UMD team.

Nolan Vesey, University of Maine, LW (6th round, 158th overall in 2014)

Vesey had a great season with U of Maine last season, with 23 points in 36 games, but he's somewhat slowed down and is in a bit of a slump this year with only 2 goals in 14 games. Expect him to pick up his pace however. Rumour has it that the Leafs are the front runners to sign his brother Jimmy Vesey, a Nashville Predators draft pick,however nothing is confirmed.

Thanks for reading.

Maple Leafs December Prospect Update: Volume 1 – CHL Edition

By Alex Hobson

It's that time again. Here is the second edition of my monthly prospect updates. Today, we kick things off with our update on prospects in the CHL.

WHL

Andrew Nielsen, D, Lethbridge Hurricanes (3rd round, 65th overall in 2015)

When the Leafs drafted Nielsen last year, it was mainly for his defensive game. Nobody knew that Nielsen had some big offensive capability as well. He is currently the top scoring defenseman on the Hurricanes with 25 points in 26 games.

OHL

Jeremy Bracco, RW, Kitchener Rangers (2nd round, 61st overall in 2015)

The young American phenom made the transition from Boston College to the Kitchener Rangers of the OHL mid season. He's currently performing at his expected pace, with 16 points in 14 games.

Travis Dermott, D, Erie Otters (2nd round, 34th overall in 2015)   
The puck moving, smooth skating defenseman was taken for his solid two way game and ability to contribute in every area of the game, including hitting and blocking shots. He's currently having another solid offensive season, leading all defensemen in scoring on the Otters with 24 points in 26 games.

Stephen Desrocher, D, Oshawa Generals (6th round, 155th overall in 2015)

Desrocher, much like Nielsen was drafted by the Leafs for his defensive game. Yet, he's also having a solid offensive campgain for his new home, the Kingston Frontenacs, after being dealt there in November. He has 18 points in 26 game.

Nikita Korostelev, RW, Sarnia Sting (7th round, 185th overall in 2015)

Korostelev isn't quite producing at the rate he was last season, but still putting up solid numbers. the Moscow, Russia native currently has 16 points in 25 games for the Sting.

Mitch Marner, C, London Knights (1st round, 4th overall in 2015)
Marner is currently tearing it up in Knight's territory. Sporting different linemates ranging between fellow prospect J.J. Piccinich to projected 2016 top five pick Matthew Tkachuk, Marner has 47 points in 22 games, at over a 2 point per game pace. Expect him to be sporting a Leafs uniform this time next year.

J.J. Piccinich, RW, London Knights (4th round, 103rd overall in 2014)

The only Leafs OHL prospect taken in the 2014 draft, Piccinich is exceeding expectations in the Green and Gold, with 30 points in 22 games. Expect him to join the Toronto Marlies next season.

QMJHL

Cody Donaghey, D, Halifax Mooseheads (Undrafted, signed by Leafs in 2014)

When we first checked in with Cody Donaghey, he was off to a very slow start. He has since picked up his game, registering 9 points in 15 games for the Mooseheads with a +1.

Martins Dzierkals, LW, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (3rd round, 68th overall in 2015)

When Mark Hunter announced this kid's name at the 2015 NHL Draft, nobody knew who he was. Hunter called the young Latvian the potential sleeper of the draft, and now we know it's for good reason. Since transitioning from Russia to the QMJHL, Dzierkals has put up 30 points in 24 games for the Huskies.

Dmytro Timashov, LW, Quebec Remparts (5th round, 125th overall in 2015)

Wow. That's all that needs to be said about this kid. He was a projected third round pick, the Leafs took him in the fifth round. He currently has over an assist per game, with 30 assists and 45 points in 26 games. He is an unbelievable playmaker and has serious potential to be a top six forward in the NHL someday.

Thanks for reading.

Bold Prediction: The Maple Leafs Will Make the 2016-17 NHL Playoffs

By Alex Hobson

I can read your mind. I know that you clicked on this link thinking "What?! You're crazy!" and I know that for a fact. Mike Babcock, the man who hates losing with a passion said there would be pain, so why would I have this crazy theory thought up that the Leafs could be a playoff team in the second year of this rebuild? Well, allow me to explain myself.

We have seen cases like this with other NHL teams in the past. For example, the Colorado Avalanche were a lottery team for a couple of years, they got the first overall pick in 2013 which they used to select Nathan Mackinnon from the Halifax Mooseheads, and what happened the following year? They finished the season a few points shy of the President's Trophy, therefore making the playoffs. They lost in a heartbreaker to the Minnesota Wild in round one, but it was anyone's series. What's another example of this? In 2014, the Calgary Flames did bad enough to secure the fourth overall pick in the draft, which they used to pick Sam Bennett. The following season, they made it to the second round of the playoffs following a solid rookie campaign from Johnny Gaudreau.

I'm not saying this exact scenario will happen to the Maple Leafs, but if you've been watching any games this season, they look much better than their record shows. They have outplayed most of their opponents each game, and their goaltending looks better thanks to a collection of solid outings from James Reimer, and their special teams are clicking. This, along with youth such as Nazem Kadri and Morgan Rielly stepping up into bigger roles is helping the Leafs play a better game than their record shows.

In my opinion, this season is the last time the Leafs are going to go the route of signing veterans to one year contracts, getting them to the top of their games, and trading them at the deadline for draft picks. They might have one or two of those veterans in next season, but like I said in my last article, I think they'll have top end prospects such as Mitch Marner and William Nylander up on the team. Nylander is NHL ready on the offensive side of the game, and his defensive game has improved greatly according to Marlies head coach Sheldon Keefe, and it would not make sense to send Marner back to the OHL for another yaer while he's producing at a 2 PPG pace, given that he can't report to the AHL next season.

So what's the point i'm trying to get at? I think there is a chance. A long shot perhaps, but with the coaching skills of Mike Babcock combined with the stepping up of Nazem Kadri and Morgan Rielly into bigger roles and big seasons from our young guns, it's entirely possible that the Leafs break out and make the playoffs. Will they continue making the playoffs consistently after next season? Probably not. But it's possible we see it happen next year.

3 Leafs Prospects Who Could Make the Team in 2016-17

By Alex Hobson

The future. The most talked about time among Leafs fans. This year, despite their recent success, the Leafs aren't expected to do anything besides sell at the deadline and finish the season with high hopes of a good draft pick. That being said, next year could potentially look to have a brighter turnout for the Leafs and their fans, with top prospects having a higher chance to make the big club. With that, I present to you my three picks of prospects who I believe are going to get their chance next season.

1. William Nylander, C/RW

Wow. Not much else needs to be said about Will Ny the Hockey Guy. The 8th overall pick in 2014 started his first season since being drafted with MODO, his former Swedish Club, and halfway through the season he left and joined the Leafs affiliate, the Toronto Marlies. The Canadian born Swede is now tearing up the AHL in his second season, registering 19 points in 14 games as a 19 year old. The coaches believe he is NHL ready, but want to let him tear up the AHL for one final year as well as work on his defensive and physical side of the game. He has serious potential to crack the lineup next year.

2. Mitch Marner, C/RW
In my opinion, Marner isn't as NHL ready as Nylander, but I strongly believe that sending him back to junior would be a mistake. He is currently producing at a two point per game pace for the OHL's London Knights right now with 32 points in 16 games, so sending him back again next year wouldn't help his development at all. Unfortunately, due to the CHL/AHL agreement, Marner is not eligible to play for the Marlies until he turns 20, so letting him play for the Leafs would be a much better option.

3. Josh Leivo, LW

Nobody on the Marlies has outwaited his chance at a full time NHL role than this guy. The former 3rd round pick in 2011 didn't have a great season for the Marlies last year, recording only 32 points in 51 games for the Baby Leafs, but he's been one of their top producers this season with 14 points in 13 games. He has a good defensive game as well as a pretty good offensive game, and he's showed strides of a good NHL player in his total 16 games with the big club, so he could very well see himself playing for the Leafs full time next year.

Thanks for reading.

Three Youngsters Thriving Under Mike Babcock

By Alex Hobson

When you look at their record, the Leafs are off to an atrocious start. A record of 2-8-4 is absolutely nothing to be proud of. However, we've seen some bright spots throughout the year. For one, the team actually looks like they're playing in hopes of winning rather than giving 50% every game, and they've kept almost every game close so far this season, they just don't have enough top end players to do it (Nylander, Marner, and Kapanen among others will be up soon enough to fill that need). However, lots of the Leafs young players look like they're at home this season. Let's take a look at three youngsters thriving under Mike Babcock.

1. Jake Gardiner

Gardiner is one of those players who's biggest enemy is consistency. He can be a great player at times, and can be a force offensively, but he can also be the worst player on the ice at times. He clashed with former head coach Randy Carlyle during his time here, but Babcock seems to trust him enough to give him top line minutes alongside of Dion Phaneuf. He hasn't racked up the points so far, with only 2 points in 11 games, but he used to be a defensive liability, and has improved that game greatly. He has been played on the penalty kill and he can be trusted in the defensive zone. He still has time to find his offensive game.

2. Nazem Kadri

Kadri is essentially the forward version of Jake Gardiner. Oozes skill, but struggles with consistency and needs a coach that trusts him in order to perform. Kadri was given the #1 centre job he thought he deserved this season, and he's been performing very well. He only has 6 points in 14 games, but his defensive game has also improved, and he can really throw the body. He's a swift skater and if he keeps performing at the rate he is right now, it wouldn't be a surprise to see him score an extension this summer.

3. Morgan Rielly

What else can be said about Mo-Ri? He had a pretty good season last year, but man, is he stepping up. He is slowly developing into an elite defenseman. Currently leading the Leafs in points as a defenseman with 10 in 14 games, he's really showing that he can be a top end defenseman in the NHL some day. His defensive game is improving and he's turning into a solid all around defenseman. He can quarterback a powerplay and his skating ability is something special. He has all the tools to develop into a 60 point defenseman in the future.

Thanks for reading.

Leafs October Prospect Update: Volume 4 - AHL Edition

By Alex Hobson

Welcome back to the final part to my four part monthly prospect update for your beloved Maple Leafs. Today, we cover the final league where prospects are currently playing, the AHL. More specifically, the Toronto Marlies. This will likely be the longest piece out of the four given that the majority of their team is composed of prospects. There are a few key players worth noting here, so let's take a look at how they're doing.

Casey Bailey, C (Signed as undrafted free agent in 2015)

When the Leafs signed Bailey to a two year entry level contract in March 2015, he was expected to join the Leafs for the remainder of their final six games so that they could get a glimpse of how he played, and he was expected to join the Marlies the following year. He is currently having a decent season, with 2 points in 5 games.

Antoine Bibeau, G (6th round, 172nd overall in 2013)

Bibeau is off to a great start for the Marlies. Sharing starting time with Garret Sparks, he's sporting a 5-1-0 record with a .908 save percentage and 2.17 goals against average, which was good enough to earn himself a call up to the Leafs after Jonathan Bernier was injured. He has yet to play in an NHL game, but it's possible he could see his first start this weekend in a back to back series.

Connor Brown, LW (6th round, 156th overall in 2012)

Brown was one of the most hyped players heading into the 2015-16 AHL season. After leading the Marlies in scoring in his first pro season, and leading all rookies throughout the league, he deemed himself as one of their top reliable goal scorers. Unfortunately, Brown fractured his foot in his eighth game with the Marlies and is out indefinitely. He was able to put up 4 points during that time.

Sam Carrick, C (5th round, 144th overall in 2010)

Carrick has all the tools to be an effective future bottom six centre in the NHL. While he doesn't have the offensive talent to be a scorer, he's gritty, good defensively, and plays with tons of heart. He currently has 2 points in 9 games for the Baby Leafs.

Frank Corrado, D (5th round, 150th overall in 2011 by Vancouver, acquired via waivers)

The Leafs picked Corrado up on waivers in early October 2015, and he practiced with the team for a few days before being sent to the AHL for a conditioning stint. He put up 3 points in 6 games for the Marlies, and has recently been recalled to the Leafs, but has yet to suit up for the big club.

Byron Froese, C (4th round, 119th overall in 2009 by Chicago, acquired via free agency)

The only reason i'm putting Froese on this list is because even though he's spent the majority of the start of the season with the Leafs, he's still considered a prospect and has suited up for the Marlies. The Winkler, Manitoba native went from playing in the ECHL to earning himself a contract with the Leafs. He put up 3 goals in 4 games for the Marlies and has recorded one assist in six games for the Leafs.

Frederik Gauthier, C (1st round, 23rd overall in 2013)

Gauthier was one of the few first round picks in 2013 that was drafted for his defensive game and size rather than skill. He's sporting a bottom six role with the Marlies and has recorded 3 points in 9 games for the team.

Petter Granberg, D (4th round, 116th overall in 2010)

Granberg has not suited up for a single game for the Marlies this season, so there really isn't much to say about the defensive defenseman at this point.

Zach Hyman, C (5th round, 123rd overall in 2010 by Florida, acquired via trade)

After refusing to sign with the team that originally drafted him in the Florida Panthers, he was traded to the Leafs along with a 7th round pick for fellow prospect Greg McKegg. Hyman is currently off to a rather slow start with the Marlies, recording only 3 points in 8 games for the team, but he's expected to pick it up sooner rather than later.

Kasperi Kapanen, RW (1st round, 22nd overall in 2014 by Pittsburgh, acquired via trade)

One of the main pieces coming back in the famous Phil Kessel trade, Kapanen was expected to be a mainstay on the Marlies this season. He's currently in a minor slump, recording only 2 goals in 7 games, but much like Hyman, is expected to pick it up in the near future.

Brendan Leipsic, LW (3rd round, 89th overall in 2013 by Nashville, acquired via trade)

The small but gritty forward who is comparable to former fan favourite Darcy Tucker was brought in as a prospect when the Leafs traded Mike Santorelli and Cody Franson to Nashville. He's having a solid campaign for the Marlies right now, and has recorded 6 points in 9 games.

Josh Leivo, LW (3rd round, 86th overall in 2011)

Leivo has been one of the most consistent players on the Marlies since making his debut in 2013-14. He currently has 8 points in 9 games, and will likely be one of their first go-to callups pending any injuries at forward.

Viktor Loov, D (7th round, 209th overall in 2012)

The big swedish defenseman showed signs of being a future solid NHL defenseman at training camp this season, being able to skate fast despite his large size and being able to unleash a booming slapshot. He's currently got 3 points in 8 games for the Marlies this year.

William Nylander, C/RW (1st round, 8th overall in 2014)

What else can be said about Will Ny the hockey guy? He's currently the most consistent scorer on the Marlies and is leading them in points with 5 goals and 9 points in 9 games. He showed signs of being NHL ready during preseason and probably could have made an impact had they left him on the team, but management wanted to make sure he was more than ready before letting him stay on the team. He will likely earn himself a spot next season.

Stuart Percy, D (1st round, 25th overall in 2011)

Stuart Percy is that guy that somehow always goes under the radar, but he's been one of the Leafs' most consistent and reliable prospects. He doesn't really have a strength, but doesn't really have a weakness either. He can be relied on in all three zones and is a player you can trust in all situations. He currently has 3 points in 9 games, so not outstanding totals but again, good solid player at both ends of the ice.

Ryan Rupert, LW (6th round, 157th overall in 2012)

Rupert is a player similar to that of Brendan Leipsic. Small, gritty, but has an offensive kick to his game. He's put up 3 goals and 4 points in 7 games so far for the Marlies.

Nikita Soshnikov, RW (Signed as undrafted free agent in 2015)

Soshnikov was highly touted coming into training camp because of the fact that he's a solid offensive player despite the fact that he wasn't drafted. He's having a good season for the Marlies this year, with 6 points in 11 games. He could potentially crack the roster next season.

Garret Sparks, G (7th round, 190th overall in 2011)

Sparks found himself playing for the Leafs' ECHL affiliate in 2014-15 after losing to Chris Gibson and Antoine Bibeau for the starting job. Since then Gibson was traded to the Islanders and Sparks has made himself at home in the 1B role for the Marlies. He currently has a 3-2-0 record with a .933 save percentage.

Thanks for reading. The next update for this series will come at the beginning of December.

Leafs October Prospect Update: Volume 3 - Europe Edition

By Alex Hobson

Welcome back to part three of my four part series, updating you on the future of the Leafs around the world. I have gotten really busy over the past few days, which is why this piece is late, but I plan to get me next and final two articles out over the next few days. Today, we take a look at how Leafs prospects playing in Europe panned out over the month of October.

Pierre Engvall, Mora IK, LW (7th round, 188th overall in 2014)

One of their prospects that goes somewhat unheard of based on the lack of coverage, Engvall is having a pretty good campaign with Mora IK this season. His first full season as a pro, the 6'4, 200lb power forward currently has 6 points in 17 games. Not bad for a rookie playing in a men's league.

Andreas Johnson, Frolunda HC, LW (7th round, 202nd overall in 2013)

This kid may end up being one of the biggest steals the Leafs have seen in recent history. He was taken in the last round of the 2013 draft and since then has shown that he has potential to become a solid goal scorer in the NHL. The Gavle, Sweden native has so far registered 15 points in 16 games for Frolunda, in what appears to be his last season with the team. He is expected to join an already stacked Marlies team next season.

Fabrice Herzog, ZSC Lions, LW (5th round, 132nd overall in 2013)
Another prospect that flies under the radar because of where he plays. There isn't very much Leafs coverage in Switzerland, but the Frauenfield, SUI native is making himself known as a good offensive player playing on the same team as projected 2016 first overall pick Auston Matthews, recording 13 points in 17 games.

Jesper Lindgren, MODO Hockey, D (4th round, 95th overall in 2015)

This defenseman is unfortunately off to a rather slow start playing for MODO, failing to record a single point over 15 games and dealing with a below average -7. He had a decent campaign with 4 points in 3 games with MODO J20, but needs to step up his game with the big club.

Thank you guys for reading. Next time, we'll take a look at their prospects on the Toronto Marlies.

Leafs October Prospect Update: Volume 2 - NCAA Edition

By Alex Hobson

Welcome back to my second part to my four part monthly prospect update series. Yesterday, we looked at the Leafs prospects currently playing in the CHL, including the likes of Mitch Marner, Travis Dermott, and Dmytro Timashov among others. Today, we'll look at our prospects currently playing in the NCAA. These prospects don't often get as much coverage due to lack of sources, but we'll get a closer look here.

Tony Cameranesi, University of Minnesota-Duluth, C (5th round, 130th overall in 2011)

Cameranesi is proving to be one of UMD's most valuable players. He led his team in points last season with nine goals and 30 points in 40 games. He's off to another hot start this season with three assists over three games. He is currently in his last eligible season to play college hockey before he needs to sign an entry level deal with the Leafs.

Dakota Joshua, Ohio State University, C (5th round, 128th overall in 2014)

Joshua made a very strong name for himself in the 2015 USHL season and playoffs. He recorded 44 points in 52 games for the Sioux Falls Stampede and then recorded 13 points in 11 games. He's only appeared in one game for Ohio State and didn't record any points, but it's entirely possible he steps up as a prime producer.

Dominic Toninato, University of Minnesota-Duluth, C (5th round, 126th overall in 2012)

Toninato and fellow UMD teammate and Leafs prospect Tony Cameranesi are essentially partners in crime for their team this season. Toninato finished second in points in 2014-15 behind Cameranesi with 26 points in 34 games, and has scored twice in three games for UMD this season. He has two years left to play in University, unlike Cameranesi who has only one.

Nolan Vesey, University of Maine, LW (6th round, 158th overall in 2014)

Vesey showed offense potential in 2014-15 for the U of Maine with 23 points in 36 games, but is currently off to a slow start this season with 0 points and a -1 in four games for his team this season. However, it's possible he could climb out of his slump and step up for his team in the coming games.

Thanks for reading. Not quite as many prospects to report on this time which is why it's a shorter piece. Tomorrow i'll fill you in on the Leafs prospects currently playing in Europe.

Leafs October Prospect Update: Volume 1 - CHL Edition

By Alex Hobson

As promised earlier in the month, today I start a brand new segment here on TML world, where I give you all an update on our prospects during the last four days of each month. The reason for this being that I'm going to update you on our prospects across four different leagues. The CHL, the NCAA, European Leagues, and the Marlies. Today, we'll kick things off with exclusively the prospects across the CHL, with players playing in either the WHL, OHL, or QMJHL. Let's take a look.

WHL

Andrew Nielsen, D, Lethbridge Hurricanes (3rd round, 64th overall in 2015)

Nielsen is known as the classic Western Canada defenseman. Big, strong, good defensively and capable of making huge hits. However, he's showcased his offensive side this season, tallying 5 goals and 14 points in 11 games for the Canes this year.

OHL

Jeremy Bracco, LW, Kitchener Rangers, (2nd round, 61st overall)

Bracco is tough to report on at this point, given that he announced today that he was dropping out of Boston College and signing with the Kitchener Rangers, but in Boston he recorded 3 assists in 5 games. He will add even more offense to an already stacked Rangers team.

Travis Dermott, D, Erie Otters (2nd round, 34th overall in 2015)

Dermott stepped up in the playoffs last season for the Otters with 15 points in 17 games, and is quietly continuing that production with 6 points in 11 games for Erie.

Stephen Desrocher, D, Oshawa Generals (6th round, 155th overall in 2015)

Desrocher, like Andrew Nielsen, is more known for his defensive side of the game, but he's also proving he's capable offensively, with 4 goals and 13 points for the 2015 Memorial Cup-winning Generals this season.

Nikita Korostelev, RW, Sarnia Sting (7th round, 185th overall in 2015)

Korostelev could potentially end up being one of the biggest steal in the draft. Most analysts had him going 3rd round, while the Leafs snagged him in the 7th. The Moskva, Russia native currently has 11 points in 12 games for the Sting this year.

Mitch Marner, C, London Knights (1st round, 4th overall in 2015)

The highly touted 4th overall pick of the Leafs currently has 5 goals and 15 points in 10 games for the Knights, which many experts are considering a slow start for the small, skilled forward. Yeah, he's that good.

J.J Piccinich, RW, London Knights (4th round, 103rd overall in 2014)

Piccinich left Boston University to play for the Knights this season alongside fellow prospect Mitch Marner, and is currently performing above expectations, with 8 goals and 15 points in 10 games for the Knights.

QMJHL

Cody Donaghey, D, Halifax Mooseheads (Undrafted, signed by Leafs in 2014)

Donaghey is currently off to a slow start with the Mooseheads, with only one point in four games for his team, but it's not really fair to say he's underperforming when he's only 4 games in.

Martins Dzierkals, LW, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (3rd round, 68th overall in 2015)

In the draft, Leafs director of player personnel Mark Hunter went off the board and took Dzierkals, who he presumed would be one of the sleeper picks of the draft. His theory is currently paying off, as Dzierkals has tallied 9 goals and 20 points in 13 games, good enough for second on his team in points.

Dmytro Timashov, LW, Quebec Remparts (5th round, 125th overall in 2015)

Timashov, known for his ability to make plays and generate assists, is currently living up to his junior hype with 13 assists and 18 points in 12 games for the Remparts.

Thanks for reading. Tomorrow, we'll take a look at how Leafs prospects in the NCAA are panning out.

Richards, Tortorella and Johansen. Plus a Prospect Report

By William Espy

Todd Richards

All Blue Jackets fans, whether they are a Richards fan or not, know that this is an end of an era. As Shawn Mitchell of the Columbus Dispatch wrote, Richards’ success is what inevitably led to his downfall. He is the winningest coach in franchise history and set the coaching standards for the team. After an 0-7-0 start to the season, management decided a change was needed and because of that a great man lost his job. Richards finished his Blue Jackets career with 127 wins and a spot irremovable place in the hearts of all CBJ fans.

Former #CBJ coach Todd Richards was in good spirits this afternoon. He generally is. If he was your neighbor, he'd be your favorite.

— Shawn Mitchell (@smitchcd) October 21, 2015

Richards not shocked, he said. "You get hired to get fired, really,is how this profession works. I have nothing but good memories." #CBJ

— Shawn Mitchell (@smitchcd) October 21, 2015

Richards: "Your job as a coach is to maximize potential, and with the way we were playing, obviously that wasn’t happening." #CBJ

— Shawn Mitchell (@smitchcd) October 21, 2015

Richards disappointed, but proud of tenure: "There were lots of people involved, but 2 me it was almost like resurrecting a franchise." #CBJ

— Shawn Mitchell (@smitchcd) October 21, 2015

Richards on Bob: "He’s made me a good coach with his goaltending. He was my guy. If you’re going 2 go down, you go down with your guy." #CBJ

— Shawn Mitchell (@smitchcd) October 21, 2015

More Richards: "I would like to thank to everybody. I’ve been treated great here, by Mr. McConnell, by management, the fans, the... #CBJ

— Shawn Mitchell (@smitchcd) October 21, 2015

Richards cont: "...people, the city. I’ve said it a lot of times – it’s always the people that make places special, and the people... #CBJ

— Shawn Mitchell (@smitchcd) October 21, 2015

Richards cont: "...here made it special for us. It was great." #CBJ

— Shawn Mitchell (@smitchcd) October 21, 2015

John Tortorella

John Tortorella was expected to be the Jackets’ replacement for Richards and when the time came, that’s what he became. Tortorella is a hard-nosed defense based head coach, who is not afraid to bench a star, get in someone’s face, or voice his displeasure. Blue Jackets centerman Ryan Johansen learned this the hard way when he was forced to sit out the final six minutes of the third period against the Minnesota Wild. When asked about what he will do to help improve the game of goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, Tortorella said that he will let Ian Clark focus on the goaltending aspect of the team. While the Tortorella era got off to a bad start with a 4-3 loss, the team played well defensively and got numerous opportunities against a top defensive team in the league. However, as Tortorella said “Moral victories aren’t going to help us right now.” While the Jackets have made it difficult for themselves to dig out of this hole, it is not necessarily impossible.

Ryan Johansen

While Ryan Johansen is currently leading the Blue Jackets in points, he has been lackluster in many parts of his game this season. Lack of hustle on defensive plays, on line changes, and seemingly in all areas of the ice has cost the team severely. New head coach John Tortorella noticed this very quickly and punished him in return. After sitting out the final 6 minutes in a very tight game, it has been made clear that Johansen has both not impressed Tortorella and he has also not proved that he is trustworthy. Tortorella has also reportedly told Johansen that he is out of shape, which will likely hinder his ice time until that is fixed.

Prospect Report

Paul Bittner

Bittner is currently in a bit of a drought much like his team has been. The Winterhawks have been an underwhelming 3-6-0 to this point, and Bittner’s stats have shown that. The 18 year old currently has 3 goals and 2 assists for a total of 5 points in 9 games.

Keegan Kolesar

Bittner’s cross state rival the Seattle Thunderbirds, have been the exact opposite and have started the season on a roll. Part of this is due to the increased production of enforcer turned goal scorer Keegan Kolesar who has 6 goals and 8 assists for a total of 14 points in 9 games. For reference, last season he played 64 games and posted only 38 points.

Kole Sherwood

Across the country in the OHL, first year major junior player Kole Sherwood has quickly found success as a member of the London Knights along with Mitchell Marner, Max Jones and Christian Dvorak among others. Sherwood has currently posted 5 goals and 7 assists for a total of 12 points in 10 games.

Blue Jackets Game Preview: #3 Buffalo Sabres

By William Espy

The Columbus Blue Jackets move from a disappointing home-and-home series against the New York Rangers to an interesting matchup against the Buffalo Sabres. While the Sabres are unlikely to be even close to a playoff spot by the time it is set and done, they offer a mix of talent that is sure to pack a punch in years to come.  Led by rookie sensation Jack Eichel, the Sabres feature a young corps consisting of defensemen Rasmus Ristolainen, Mark Pysyk, and Jake McCabe as well as forwards Sam Reinhart, Evander Kane and Marcus Foligno. 

The Sabres have started off fairly slowly, as they are currently 0-2-0 following losses to the Ottawa Senators and the Tampa Bay Lightning. However the Sabres lost more than just points already this season; it was announced that goaltender Robin Lehner, who was acquired from the Senators this offseason, will miss 6-10 weeks with a high ankle sprain which occurred in the season opener against Ottawa. Captain Brian Gionta will likely be back in the lineup for the Sabres, which gives them another offensive threat. 

SABRES PROJECTED LINES:

These lines were used in the Sabres’ practice on Sunday morning which gives good reason to suggest they will start the game with them.

90 Ryan O’Reilly – 28 Zemgus Girgensons – 63 Tyler Ennis

9 Evander Kane – 15 Jack Eichel – 12 Brian Gionta

26 Matt Moulson – 22 Johan Larsson – 82 Marcus Foligno

44 Nicolas Deslauriers – 17 David Legwand – 88 Jamie McGinn/23 Sam Reinhart

4 Josh Gorges – 55 Rasmus Ristolainen

6 Mike Weber – 46 Cody Franson

25 Carlo Colaiacovo – 3 Mark Pysyk

45 Brendan Guhle – 65 Matt Donovan

31 Chad Johnson

50 Nathan Lieuwen

Key Players: 

15 Jack Eichel:

Eichel is a superstar in his rookie year, much like Connor McDavid of the Oilers. He currently has a single point (a goal), however he will be a large part of the offensive picture.

46 Cody Franson:

Franson is yet to make an impact on his new team, so far posting a large donut on the point category as well as a horrific -4 rating.

The Blue Jackets have also been struggling as of late after throwing away what would have seemingly given them a 1-0-0 start to the season against the Rangers followed up by a disappointing start to the game on Saturday, however the Jackets believe they know what is wrong and how to fix it.

While Todd Richards experimented with some new line combinations on Saturday and will likely change them prior to the start of the game on Monday, they currently are expected to remain the same as previous games.

JACKETS PROJECTED LINES:

20 Brandon Saad – 19 Ryan Johansen – 71 Nick Foligno

38 Boone Jenner – 17 Brandon Dubinsky – 18 Rene Bourque

43 Scott Hartnell – 25 William Karlsson – 13 Cam Atkinson

11 Matt Calvert – 9 Gregory Campbell – 40 Jared Boll

27 Ryan Murray – 58 David Savard

51 Fedor Tyutin – 7 Jack Johnson

4 Kevin Connauton – 47 Dalton Prout

72 Sergei Bobrovsky

30 Curtis McElhinney

Key Players:

72 Sergei Bobrovsky: 

Bobrovsky is a top goaltender in the league when he is on his game, however a lack of defensive help and possible rust is prohibiting him from reaching that level. If the Jackets are going to win, he needs to be at his best.

7 Jack Johnson

Jack Johnson has a large amount of personal issues reaching national media at this point of time and it appears to be negatively impacting his game. He isn’t helping at all in the offensive zone and has been playing very subpar defensively. The Jackets will need him to step up on the blue line and be a leader for the young defensemen.

Goaltending Matchup:

The goaltending matchup is a bit of an interesting one, it will likely be the struggling Sergei Bobrovsky facing off against the backup turned starter Chad Johnson

Bobrovsky: Save Percentage .830, GAA 4.90

Johnson: Save Percentage .875, GAA 3.30

TEN (Very) BOLD PREDICTIONS

By William Espy

Disclaimer: Many of these predictions are very much a stretch and are unlikely to occur. Some will seem absurd, however this is all for fun.

1.       SEMIN SCORES 25

After his recent failures in Carolina, many people have written Alexander Semin off. However he is now playing for his career and he is playing with a much better team in Montreal. While it is nearly impossible for him to return to the stats from his hey-day, Semin still has the skill to score at least 25 goals this season.

2.       EKBLAD IS A NORRIS FINALIST

One year after winning the Calder, it is an astronomical jump to consider a 19 year old as a Norris Trophy finalist. But if anyone could do it, it would be Ekblad. After posting 39 points in 81 games, Ekblad is primed to only become better which could establish him as a league wide threat sooner rather than later. I also would not be surprised if Ekblad pushes the Panthers to a playoff berth.

3.       DETROIT MISSES THE PLAYOFFS

Detroit narrowly avoided the ending of the playoff streak last season when they made it in by a mere four points, however the loss of Mike Babcock and the transition to a new head coach in Jeff Blashill may be difficult to overcome. Datsyuk and Zetterberg will also need to remain healthy as the east gets exponentially more difficult.

4.       BYFUGLIEN IS TRADED

Dustin Byfuglien is a pending UFA following this season and Winnipeg needs to go for a youth movement on the back end with players like Josh Morrissey in the minors who are almost NHL ready. With players like Andrew Ladd, Mark Schiefele and Jacob Trouba who need contracts next offseason as well, the Jets will likely look for Tyler Myers to take over the role that Byfuglien currently fills.

5.       EDMONTON MAKES THE PLAYOFFS

While it has been repeatedly stated that “this pick will push the Oilers forward” it has yet to happen. However the acquisition of Connor McDavid may be the match that lights the fuse under the team. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins for example knows that he will need to be massively productive in order to prevent being buried in McDavid’s shadow for the foreseeable future, which will likely happen anyway. Nail Yakupov seemed to be finding his game at the end of last season for the first time in his NHL career which could greatly help the Oilers take that step. While Cam Talbot still has to prove he can be a starter, last season he played phenomenally while filling in for Henrik Lundqvist.

6.       OVECHKIN FINALLY GETS HIS CUP

Ever since Alexander Ovechkin joined the NHL, Washington Capitals fans have been waiting eagerly for their moment to finally come, however it never has. The only question mark that stands out to me is whether or not Braden Holtby can replicate his play from last season and if he can the Capitals will likely be an unstoppable force. The additions of TJ Oshie and Justin Williams may not seem to be the greatest on paper, however it provides Barry Trotz with a few great depth options.

7.       THE BLUE JACKETS REACH 100

The Blue Jackets have a top roster in the league on paper, while it may not be the very best which is currently the Chicago Blackhawks, if the team can stay healthy they may very well make a case for a top three team in the east. It will be hard to dethrone the Tampa Bay Lightning who are the current kings of the east, the Blue Jackets do not necessarily need to do so. The Blue Jackets have substantial forward depth with an abundance of NHL ready rookies in the minors and an elite goaltender backstopping them, the only question mark for many is the defensive corps. If Ryan Murray can stay healthy, he will exponentially increase the appeal of the blue line. As ESPN’s John Buccigross stated, it is easy to make a strong case for the Blue Jackets this season.

8.       PHIL KESSEL UNDERPERFORMS

Phil Kessel’s trade to Pittsburgh was the major headline of this offseason, however he may not necessarily settle in as quickly as many analysts are predicting. Many are predicting Kessel to possibly reach 50 goals, however in his first season with a new team that seems very unlikely. Underperforming for Kessel is an interesting topic as it is different than it would be for most players considering the hype around him. I’d expect him to reach about 30 goals this season, and the next season he would likely go up from there. One thing for sure however, is Kessel will need to step up his defensive work ethic if he hopes to succeed.

9.       TYLER SEGUIN HITS 50

The Dallas Stars as a whole did not live up to expectations last season, however with the addition of Patrick Sharp the offense gained another scoring piece. Seguin is still only 23 years of age, and has quickly grown into a super star. If the team can fire on all cylinders, not only will Seguin contend for the Richard; the team will likely make the playoffs. Expect both Seguin and Jamie Benn to be near the top 10, if not top 5 in points this season.

10.   MARLEAU CHASES A CUP

Even though Patrick Marleau has been a Shark for his entire career, in the modern era there seemingly becomes a time where cup-less heroes leave to chase down the greatest trophy in sports; Lord Stanley’s Cup. It happened with Daniel Alfredsson, although that was through free agency rather than through trade, as well as countless others. Marleau currently has two years remaining on his deal at a steep salary of $6.7M which would be difficult for a cup contender to pay, however if the Sharks who are seemingly headed toward a retooling are willing to take a bad contract for a few years it could maximize their return and send him to a better contender for the Cup.