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Maple Leafs: Representing the Blue and White

October 2, 2019, 8:35 AM ET [433 Comments]
Lucas Neilson
Blogger •Atlantic Division Writer • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Waking up today is like a kid at Christmas time. No presents, no stocking filled and certainly no cookies or milk left over. It’s game day! Time to sound the horns and prepare for the big season ahead. Big, bold predictions? The biggest.

The Maple Leafs are going to win the Stanley Cup in 2020.

Let’s not get ahead of ourselves…forget that nonsense. This is it. The Leafs are going all the way and we haven’t even played a single regular season game. I’ve been a Leafs fan since the day I knew what hockey was, this is my team; the Toronto Maple Leafs.

As a fan I’ve gone through hockey hell and now it’s time to cash in the reward. The Leafs have the best roster they have had in my lifetime. Sorry Wendel, Darcy, Mats and my boy Dougie. But this is the team to beat. The Leafs are going to storm the Eastern Conference this season with a power hungry offense ready to chew and spit out anyone in their path.

Matthews and Tavares could both top the charts with 50 goals each and we just may see Mitch “the Orchard” Marner gather more assists than any Maple Leafs player in history. Marner just may top 100 points on the season. These are all attainable stats by the players mentioned. That’s how good the team will be this season.

Kyle Dubas has locked and loaded the Leafs for years to come. The roster has never been so well rounded and with the additions on the back end (Barrie, Ceci, Sandin). Rielly has fully entered his prime years and Muzzin has the experience and hard nosed game to keep the opposition with their heads up.

Speaking of Sandin, the kid is the real deal. I saw enough last season with the Marlies to get my hunch, and it’s being verified every time he steps on the ice. Rasmus Sandin is the real deal. It may take him a season or two but there is a very high chance Sandin is a top pairing defenseman. The Leafs just may have struck gold with this late first round pick (you don’t say!). He will not only help the Buds with his skills but his age/contract and salary will be cheap for a couple of seasons. It’s the perfect scenario for Dubas and his back end for now and the future.

If Babcock can continue to build up Sandin and Liljegren’s games like he did in Detroit with the other stellar defense from that Era. We just may have a few gems being dusted off here in the early goings of their career. I’m huge on Rasmus Sandin and so should you be, keep an eye on the youngster and don’t let you jaw drop too far.

The Maple Leafs are young, eager, and supremely skilled. Now they have had a taste of what it’s like to lose in the playoffs more than once. The hunger is real and it’s growling inside Leafs Nation.

Frederik Andersen is setup perfectly for a career season. He’s got a more capable backup this year as well as a more established defensive core. He also has players like Tavares, Matthews and newly acquired Alex Kerfoot down the middle. Having responsible centers, and ones that don’t take a lot of foolish penalties will be key to the Leafs success. The Leafs have the best center depth in the NHL; and you better believe it counts for something. Defense wins games and center depth wins Cups.

Another player I’ve not touched on too much is Ilya Mikheyev. He’s going to open some eyes and you can bet when you see this kid flying around on the Leafs fourth line you are going to be wondering. Who’s this guy? He’s got a lot of effort in his game and is another Babcock type guy. Look for the Leafs to rely heavily on their top nine, but have confidence in their fourth line when called upon.

I’m extremely confident in this Maple Leafs team. I’m predicting a 2nd place finish in the East and in the National Hockey League in the standings. But come playoffs, look out; the Leafs are going all the way. Start saving your pennies now!

Trophy watch:
Maurice "Rocket" Richard - Auston Matthews
Art Ross - Mitchel Marner
Vezina - Frederik Andersen
Hart Memorial: John Tavares

The boys are in the hunt. Let's hope they are locked and loaded and ready to rock the Nation; Leafs Nation.

Queue: Thunderstruck – ACDC
Prepare: Cold Beers in fridge
Sporting: Leafs hat, Tavares jersey, Leafs underwear, Leafs socks

The Leafs are going to demolish the Ottawa Senators (Sorry Sens fans, the truth hurts). Get ready for puck drop! Get ready for the new Captain promised before we start the season and get ready to celebrate our first win of the regular season. It’s all coming tonight!!!

Go Leafs Go!

(I could eat the heart of an animal right now) FIRED RIGHT UP.

Thanks for reading, enjoy tonight’s game!!!

LEAFS NATION BABY!
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