CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — Expectations were high for the Toronto Maple Leafs entering this season. After three straight first-round playoff exits, general manager Kyle Dubas shook up his lineup with several off-season moves. He also displayed considerable creativity finding salary-cap room to re-sign leading scorer Mitch Marner to an expensive new contract.
More than a month into this season, however, the Leafs aren't looking like Stanley Cup contenders. They began the week tied for fourth in the Eastern Conference with nine wins and 21 points but just two points above the playoff cutoff.
Young stars Marner, Auston Matthews and William Nylander haven't been at their best. Captain John Tavares was among several Leafs nursing injuries. Backup goaltender Michael Hutchinson has struggled to spell off overworked starter Frederik Andersen and was put on waivers on Monday. Their power play and penalty killing are among the league's bottom third.
Leafs fans are grumbling over Dubas’ roster management while some call for the replacement of head coach Mike Babcock. Several Toronto pundits even asked Washington’s Alex Ovechkin and Los Angeles Kings defenceman Drew Doughty what the Leafs must do to become a contender.
It’s still very early in the season and the Leafs have plenty of time to reverse their fortunes. Nevertheless, the disappointment in Leafs Nation is indicative of a growing impatience from a fan base desperate for an end to their club’s five-decade Stanley Cup drought.
Young Guns
After missing the playoffs last season, the Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks are off to surprising strong starts.
The Oilers began the week jostling with the defending Stanley Cup champion St. Louis Blues for top spot in the Western Conference while the Canucks aren't far behind.
Better goaltending and improved defensive play contributed to their early season hot streak but it’s their young forward stars making the difference.
The Oilers are once again riding the offensive power of superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. The duo has taken up their usual place among the league’s top-five scorers. The Canucks, meanwhile, are getting impressive performances from sophomore centre Elias Pettersson and third-year winger Brock Boeser.
Time will tell if both clubs remain among the best in the West this season. For now, their young guns are providing their fans with plenty of offensive thrills.
Red Hot Pastrnak
The Boston Bruins are showing few ill-effects from their short off-season. The 2019 Stanley Cup finalists are jockeying with the Washington Capitals for first place in the Eastern Conference standings.
David Pastrnak's performance is a big reason behind their hot start. Coming off a 14-game point streak, the 23-year-old right wing's 30 points put him among the NHL’s top-five points leaders. He also leads the league with 15 goals.
Skating along veterans Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron, Pastrnak has emerged from their shadows as an offensive force in his own right. At his present pace, he could become the first Bruin to reach 110 points since Adam Oates in 1992-93 and the first to score 50 goals since Cam Neely in 1993-94.
Lyle Richardson is a freelance writer with the Sporting News and runs the website Spector’s Hockey. His column will appear in The Guardian throughout the NHL hockey season.
