Maple Leafs: The Year that Was

If I had bet you before the season started that the Maple Leafs would be a playoff team, would you take it?  I predicted the Leafs would get around 70 points, 80 points max. Instead, the Leafs made the playoffs with 95 points.

The Awesome 

Auston Matthews

Mathews, with his 40 goals and 29 assists, was clearly the best rookie all year.  Auston was used in all aspects of the game. He was deadly on the power plays. He was the complete player with a plus two on the season.

Mitchell Marner 

Mitchell would have been the best Rookie on most teams.  His 19 goals and 42 points for 61 points were impressive.  By far, the most impressive playmaker on the team.

Nazem Kadri 

The best pest in the game! Kadri 32 goals were a shock to me. That completely blows my mind. He plays with his heart on his sleeve. He has to control his emotions and start playing with his head.  Kadri was the complete player, often played against the number one centre on the opposition team.  In fact, he outplays Mc-everything, when they played the Oilers twice.

The Good 

William Nylander

William has the skills of someone twice his age. Nylander is a skilled, playmaking forward, who gained more confidence with each game.  He matched Marner's points, with more goals and fewer assists. William is the fastest skater on the team. He might very well be the most exciting player on the team.

Morgan Rielly

Morgan is probably the best defencemen on the roster.  He is the best in defensive zone coverage. He has a great shot and covers up others mistakes with his speed. He saved a lot of players' bacon, with his excellent defensive skills

Those are the few examples of how we can be excited about this teams future. And I didn't mention the goalie, Frederik Andersen.  He is very bright, and like Matthews, Marner, and Nylander, will only improve.

Calgary Flames: The Questions, the Answers

Now that the season is over; we can sit back and ask ourselves what is next. What are the Flames priorities? Obviously, the Flames have a wish list. Guess what? I have one too.  Since this is my party, my list is more important.

So here is my list in no particular order, of what I would do if I were the General Manager. Watch out Brad; I am gunning for your job.

NUMBER ONE GOALIE

Antti Raanta

The Rangers backup is a steady goalie who ready for more responsibility. Antti is a steady goaltender who plays the angles and will give the Flames a chance to win every game.

I love Antti. He is consistent. He is who he is.  You know what you are getting—a starting, capable goalie.

TOP SIX RIGHT WINGER

Patrick Eaves

Patrick is a sniper who would fit in perfectly with Johnny and Sean.  Eaves is a smooth skater who thinks with his head. He would be a perfect stop-gap. Flames could probably, sign him for a 2-year window, long enough for prospects to come in. The native Calgarian should be brought home.

NUMBER FOUR DEFENCEMAN

Kyle Alzner

Kyle is the best option for the Flames. He is a steady, dependable stay home dman. Kyle would cut down on the defensive mistakes.  He would bring a stable veteran influence in the dressing room.  He leads by example. He would a great help to the top three in the lineup.

These players would not fill all the holes, but they would go a long way to making the Flames a better hockey team next season.