NHL Hockey Betting - Toronto Maple Leafs

NHL Betting 2007 – Toronto Maple Leafs
Manager: Paul Maurice
Arena: Air Canada Centre
Last Season: 40-31-11, 91 pts (3rd Northeast, 9th Eastern Conference)
2007 Prediction: 7th Eastern Conference

Preseason Odds to win Stanley Cup: +3000

Leaf Nation was somewhat happy during their rebuilding phase. Then, on draft day, GM John Ferguson said “screw it” and traded away the future for net minder Vesa Toskala who has the unenviable task, and ensuing pressure, of restoring Toronto’s faith in the Maple Leafs. They missed the postseason for the second consecutive season, but last year they were edged by a single point so optimism (as it always does) remains high in Toronto.

The Leafs supposedly pursued all the big names in sports, and somehow only landed Jason Blake who piqued last year with 69 points for the Islanders. Blake will be paired with Mats Sundin who is fast entering the twilight of his career. There are a bunch of unheralded youngsters in Toronto who are showing promising signs of life. Amongst them, Kyle Wellwood is poised to jump up in production this season.

The top-line of Tomas Kaberle and Bryan McCabe is a solid top blue-line unit. McCabe is a threat in the power play and Kaberle deftly moves the puck to his teammates as if it’s second nature to him. Unfortunately, the rest of the defensive corps is slow, albeit large. They did a horrific job of protecting Andrew Raycroft, who is now successfully traumatized and on the bench. Health was an issue and fans remain faithful this defensive unit can get things together. The NHL betting community should remain rightfully skeptical.

Will Toskala be the next Miikka Kiprusoff? Only time will tell, but the former San Jose backup has all the tools to be a standout goalie. The problem is how he reacts to the crushing pressure for wins in Toronto. Toskala managed a 49-17-5 as a backup in San Jose. Now is his time to shine as the starter.

It’s almost inconceivable that the Leafs would miss the postseason for the third straight year. With Blake-Sundin rocking the top line, there is a huge buzz in Leaf Nation. Toskala is an obvious upgrade over Raycroft (although a sack of potatoes in net would’ve also been an upgrade). The Leafs were only one point out of the race last year, and have made some strong improvements in the offseason that justifiably gives the rabid fans in Toronto hope. Do not be surprised for some growing pains through the first half, as the Leafs explode in the second half on their way to their first playoff berth in two years.

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Official Website: www.mapleleafs.com