Every Wednesday for the next several weeks, Sportsnet.ca gets you set for a fresh NHL season with looks at players from Canadian teams who could have breakout seasons in 2012-13.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are the most talked about, most criticized and arguably the most frustrating team to watch (if you’re a fan of them) in the entire National Hockey League.
Since the lockout that wiped out the 2004-05 season, the Leafs have yet to make the playoffs. After remaining in the playoff hunt for much of 2011-12, the Leafs ended up finishing 13th in the Eastern Conference and missing the postseason for a seventh consecutive year.
During the current drought the Leafs have become a team who take one or two steps forward, but then take one or two (or more) steps backward.
Recently, ESPN ranked the Maple Leafs as the worst North American sports franchise. In fairness, most hockey fans, including Leafs general manager Brian Burke, scoffed at that notion, but it is a sign of how certain people view the Toronto franchise.
Last season the team showed promise. Phil Kessel established himself as one of the most dynamic and dangerous goal scorers in the league and Joffrey Lupul became arguably the Leafs most valuable player. But injuries and inconsistency played a factor as goalie James Reimer never regained his form after getting injured five games into the season and the blueline often made mental errors that led to goals against.
The Leafs must make the playoffs this year or else Burke’s job could be on the line and the roster could go through another overhaul.
First-line wingers Phil Kessel and Joffrey Lupul must put up good numbers again, the team needs reliable goaltending, and captain Dion Phaneuf must continue to lead by example on and off the ice if the playoffs are a realistic option. The club also needs certain players to step up and have breakout campaigns.
Here is one forward and one defenceman on the Maple Leafs who could take their play to the next level in 2012-13 and become difference-makers.
James van Riemsdyk
For a long time Burke was unwilling to trade defenceman Luke Schenn, even though the GM received many offers for him over the last couple years. But when the Philadelphia Flyers offered skilled power forward James van Riemsdyk, Burke pulled the trigger. This was the biggest transaction the team had made since acquiring Phaneuf from the Calgary Flames, so there will be high expectations for the newest Leaf as there always is in the city.
Two major questions surround JVR heading into the season. (1.) How will he rebound from an injury-filled campaign? (2.) Where will he fit into the lineup?
Last year the Middletown, N.J., native only suited up for 43 regular-season games; he missed 21 due to a left foot injury, 15 to a concussion, and a handful to various bumps and bruises.
It will be interesting to see what the Leafs coaching staff decides to do with the 6’3”, 200-pounder and who they put him on a line with. There was talk when they first traded for van Riemsdyk that they would play him at centre, but he could well end up on the wing. The Leafs have a plethora of centres, so it makes most sense to play him on the wing where he can use his size and speed to get passed opposing defencemen along the boards.
From a statistical standpoint, the 23-year-old has steadily improved in every season since entering the league in 2009. Last year, despite missing a lot of time, he had his best points-per-game average after registering 11 goals and 24 points in 43 games. Put him with other skilled forwards like Kessel, Lupul or Mikhail Grabovski and those numbers should improve drastically.
If JVR is a player that performs best under pressure — and it appears he could be, based on his memorable performance in the 2011 playoffs — then playing in Toronto could translate into his best season as a pro.
Jake Gardiner
Last season, Jake Gardiner was not supposed to crack the Maple Leafs roster, but after a solid preseason the team had no choice but to put the young Minnesotan in the lineup. Gardiner did not disappoint. In fact, he exceeded any expectations and turned out to be one of the best rookies in the NHL.
He averaged over 21 minutes of ice-time per game and went over the 25-minute mark often. His role this year will increase. And with veteran defencemen like Phaneuf and John-Michael Liles to play with and look up to, he’s surrounded by a strong supporting cast that will help him grow.
Also, Phaneuf is the type of leader to deflect any potential scrutiny Gardiner could face from the tough Toronto media, so the youngster should be able to relax and play his game.
In 75 games last season, the 22-year-old ended up with seven goals and 30 points. Unless he suffers a serious sophomore slump, those numbers should take a big leap in the right direction, especially considering the fact he will get plenty of time on the power play.
An ideal situation for Leafs fans would be for Gardiner to develop in a similar fashion to Ottawa Senators standout Erik Karlsson — both excellent skaters with an offensive flair who are defensively responsible. OK, to think that Gardiner could be a Hart Memorial Trophy nominee in just a couple years might be a stretch. But nevertheless, Karlsson had a strong rookie campaign, like Gardiner, and has steadily improved en route to becoming a top star.
If Gardiner can follow a similar path, the Leafs’ back end will be in fine form for years. With Schenn no longer around, Gardiner (along with 2012 first-round pick Morgan Rielly) represents the future of the Leafs blueline, and his play this season should play a key role in deciding whether the team can end its postseason drought.
