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Who is Better Right Now? Edmonton or Toronto? |
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Slower rumor day today, so I thought it would be fun to go through some hockey thought experiments here…. and I would love your input…
Let’s take two teams that continually get linked together and based on what we have seen this past season, as well as this offseason, let’s see where they are right now….
Today we start with what has become a classic debate…McDavid vs Matthews…Western Canada vs Eastern Canada…
Who is Better: The Edmonton Oilers or The Toronto Maple Leafs.
Last season:
The Oilers:
The Oil had kind of four separate seasons last year, fired a coach in the middle, and saw playoff success at last. The Oilers finished second in the division and broke the 100 point barrier (104) purely on the strength of their first month and last month of the season. If you JUST looked at October and May, the Oilers record was 17-3-1.
The Leafs:
The Leafs had a crazy good season. 115 points. Similar to the Oilers they dipped in the middle of the year, but a strong November and a strong May truly set them up. If you JUST looked at November and May, the Leafs record was 23-4-2. Another first round play- off loss was devastating, but losing by one goal in 7 games to the two-time champs really isn’t a disaster. That can’t be understated.
Off season moves.
The Oilers:
Edmonton went into the offseason with some serious needs.
Beyond extending the coach…which they did…
#1. Get a starting Goalie (They got a really good one..from Toronto in Jack Campbell)
#2. Figure Out Evander Kane (They signed Kane for a reasonable contract)
#3. Sign Kailer Yamamoto and Jesse Puljujarvi. (Jesse signed)
#4. Add Defensive help
Other Key Additions: re-signing Kulak. Signing Janmark, and Pickard
Key Losses: Keith has retired, and Russell was not re-signed…the Defense still needs help.
The Leafs:
#1. Get a #1 goalie. (Traded for Murray, Signed Samsonov)
#2. Sign Sandin.
#3. Replace some roll players, adding some depth scoring (they have partially)
#4. Bolster the Defense
#5. Figure out how to beat Tampa and/or Florida. The three teams are locked together.
Other Key additions: Jarnkrok, Jordie Benn, Victor Mete, Kubel and importantly re-signing Giordano
Key Losses: Campbell, Mikheyev, Spezza.
Who are these teams now??
Forwards:
These are two of the most dynamic teams offensively we have seen in years. The star power is ridiculous. Would you rather have McDavid, Draisaitl and Kane, or Matthews, Marner and Tavares? I think I would rather have the three top Edmonton stars…but I am not sure. Personally I would not trade the Edmonton 3 for the Maple Leafs 3.
Defense:
Both teams have definite issues. Darnell Nurse may be the best defender on either team, but I would take Toronto’s defense as a whole over Edmonton’s. Toronto allowed 253 goals this past season, while Edmonton allowed 252.
Goalies:
Ah, the grass is always greener.
This is where it may all come to roost. The Oilers took Jack Campbell from Toronto, because Toronto decided Campbell wasn’t their guy. Saying it was a over money is just spin. These teams both consider themselves Cup contenders. Paying 5M for a starter is low as it is. The money difference was a few million.
The Leafs decided they would rather roll the dice than make Campbell their guy. Instead they brought in a former Cup Winner, but one who has lost his way lately, in Matt Murray. I loved Murray at his best, and he may be the kind of goalie that needs to be on a team in a Cup battle. The Leafs then got REALLY lucky, when the Caps decided they didn’t want Samsonov. Samsonov could turn out to be the steal of the off-season if he finds new life. The Leafs goaltending situation is two question marks that could go either way.
The Oilers got tired of everyone (including their own players) saying they needed a true starter that could play behind a team which plays such a wide open style. The Oilers saw Campbell play that way behind a similar style team in Toronto and had no issue paying Campbell. Campbell’s play against Tampa was outstanding and if it hadn’t been the series would have been over way sooner.
So who is better now?
There is still work to be done in both cities, and I could possibly change this opinion before the season begins. It’s important to note that the Leafs finished 11 points ahead of Edmonton in the regular season and had the Leafs faced the Kings and Flames in the florist two rounds of the playoffs I truly believe they would have also found themselves facing Colorado in the Conference Final. Had the Oilers played Tampa in round 1, I doubt they would have seen another round…
So when the season ended the Leafs were the better team. Two things have really changed since then. The first we discussed in goal, the second, more intangible is that the Leafs feel bad about their season, still stuck in the first round, and the Oilers feel great about their season…winning two rounds.
Confidence is a big, big thing in this sport. I do believe that combining the positive vibe of winning two rounds with a legit #1 goalie, who has proven to be a big game goalie, AND an entire season with a coach that lets this team play to their strengths will help Edmonton chip away at that 11 point difference. But will it be enough to make them the better hockey team?
I believe it could be. As the teams sit now, I believe Toronto still is the better regular season team, but by the slightest of margins. And there is no doubt the Oilers could see more playoff success than the Leafs dependent on matchups.
What say you?
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