Toronto Maple Leafs Season Review

After finishing 24th in the league last year, the Toronto Maple Leafs, led by GM Ron Dubin, entered free agency looking to address a need at center ice as well as overall depth for the team.  Once the dust settled, the depth issue had been addressed with Daniel Paille, Mathieu Garon, and Jan Hejda signing with the team.  During the off season, he also swung deals for Tom Pyatt, Stephane Robidas, Antonie Vermette and Eric Brewer.  He then moved Hejda for Andrej Meszaros and then swung his best deal of the season, moving prospect defenceman Joe Morrow to Phoenix for Derek Roy.

Roy settled right in as the #1 center of the team, developing instant chemistry with Curtis Glencross and Marian Hossa.  A 50+ goal season by Hossa and Roy landing in the top 10 in points gave the Leafs a top line that was consistent and to be feared.  He then conducted a series of moves to turn James Van Riemsdyk into Corey Perry as well as bringing in veteran Chris Pronger in a deal that sent Robidas to Vancouver.  These moves created a solid, veteran core for the team to rely on.  Francois Beauchemin, Pronger, Brewer and Meszaros anchor a very effective top four, helping the Leafs climb to the top 5 in goals against.  Faith laid in goalie Brayden Holtby proved fruitful for the organiziation as he has remained strong throughout the season, turning in a 40+ win year. 

The offence also clicked with the aquisitions of Perry, Roy and Saku Koivu, pushing the Leafs to near the top of the league in goals for.  Special teams were middle of the pack, neither super effective nor terribly disappointing which proved effective for the team as they could score in all situations and not rely on one part of the game.  Shootout specialist Milan Hejduk also proved his worth to the team, helping them secure much needed points from shootout wins with his 80% success rate.

All in all, the Leafs have secured a playoff spot for the first time in two years, haven't sold the farm or the future, and now have developed an identity all while practing faith and paitence with the core that has been assembled over the past two years.  As the playoffs draw near, Torontonians lie in wait for Game 1 in the first round, hoping to see the blue and white emerge victorious and bring Lord Stanleys cup back to the city for the first time in nearly fifty years.

Biggest acquisition: Derek Roy

Best Trade: Evander Kane to Vancouver for Corey Perry

Worst Trade: Tyson Strachan to Carolina for Keith Ballard

Most Underrated Trade: 5th Round Pick to Carolina for Milan Hejduk