Here we go again Leaf fans..This year there is a lot of optimism that has been generated among the Leafs Nation...Coming off a very disappointing 2006-2007

season where the Leafs JUST and i mean JUST missed the playoffs, there is a lot to be optimistic for this year. The Leafs led by their young GM John Ferguson JR

made some big off season moves to help this club. Acquring Vesa Toskala not only improved our goaltending situation, it will also give the franchise in a position to

have trading power with 3 solid goalies in the system in Toskala,Raycroft and hot prospect Justin Pogge.

The other major move the Leafs made is adding that elusive big scorer on the top line...It has been said for years Sundin hasnt had a true goal scorer on his wing and Jason Blake might be the guy. I personally believe that Blake is a better fit with the playmaking Kyle Wellwood and it remains to be seen how Coach Paul Maurice will have the lines set up.

The other wildcard is Mark Bel..Bell was a highly touted 1st round pick with Chicago and put up 25 goals a few years ago before the trade to San Jose...After having personal problems off the ice, if Bell gets his act together he will be a major player on this team...


Lets go Leaf Fans..Lets band together and lets do it this year...

GL from a Sharks fan. goooo sharks

EDIT how long has it been since you've guys won the cup?

We are in our 41st year...We beleaf this is our year..

Gl bro, if the sharks dont make it, ill be rooting for you guys.

Thanks....I actually have a rooting interest for San Jose as my wife is from Fresno California and the closest hockey team there is San Jose...I am usually there once a year and the local Fresno stations cover the Shark games...

I think this year will be a big year for the Sharks..

http://www.sportsargumentwiki.com/index.ph...nto_maple_leafs


Excellent unbiased preview of the Leafs by a non-reporter.....

Idiotic argument...No doubt written by a stupid Montreal fan....

SLANDEROUS...

The Maple Leafs will win the stanley cup around the same time the Lions win the super bowl....

Why do you spew this hatred towards the Leafs..The Leafs right now are among the top 3-4 teams in the conference..

lol

That's just a special kind of crazy right there.

A stronger prescription than beer goggles? Leaf goggles....

http://www.sportsargumentwiki.com/index.ph...nto_maple_leafs

"2007-2008 Season Preview
lol"

The new Leafs jersey will be unveiled today at 3:00pm.

Rumour is it will look like this:

Leafs and the Canadiens have done the right thing and went with the classic look...

very cool

I woke up this morning and I really feel good about this team....

After realizing what a huge addition Mark Bell will be after serving his suspension, this team might actually compete for the Stanley Cup this year

JFJ has done a great job improving the lineup and now its up to the boys to deliver..

Stay tuned I will have a forecast with predictions on every single Maple Leaf player and how they will do ...


WOW I am so happy to be a Leafs fan...I feel sorry for all that arent.

Yes, Bell coming back from the suspension is sooo much better than him playing 80 games this year!

I hope you burned the sheets.

Dude the Leafs are a major contender in the Eastern Conference....There is only a couple of teams that can give them problems..

Trust me this is the year

The couple of teams that can give them problems, are most likely who they will have to face if they even make the playoffs. Don't get me wrong, it's your right as a fan to have hope. Every year I say to myself that it's the BlackHawks, Bears, Jayhawks or even the Cubs year, but you have to realize that it probably won't happen. Just enjoy the game.

Better than the Leafs
Buffalo
Ottawa
NY Rangers
Pittsburgh

As good as the Leafs
Carolina
Montreal
New Jersey
Philadelphia
Tampa Bay
Washington

Weaker than the Leafs
Atlanta
Boston
Florida
NY Islanders

In my perspective, there are only a couple of teams that are weaker than Leafs. They are not "a major contender"

All we have is hope in September...but this year i have more hope than usual

There is no way the Sabres are better than the Leafs...Rangers maybe...Pittsburgh will still have growing pains..Carolina and Montreal wont make the playoffs...Philly will improve but not right away...Tampa bay and Washington and Jersey are still a step behind the Leafs..And OTTAWA is going to surprise all their fans this year..

I honestly believe the Leafs will win their division and will fight it out with the Rangers for first..

The main thing to remember is Buffalo got a lot worse, Ottawa did nothing, Pittsburgh still has growin pains and Montreal has issues in goal and overall team chemistry.

I am positive the Leafs contend for the conference.

Serge saying that the Sens will be worse than the Leafs because they did nothing is totally ridiculous. It isn't the first time you've pulled out this silly argument and I'll call you out on it every time.

I'm pretty sure you understand basic math, so I don't think I have to prove how your logic is very, very flawed...

Yes simple math...Ottawa's lineup from last year is actually worse and the Leafs lineup from last year is a LOT better...what part of that is flawed?

They will have the inevitable let down from last years finals loss...Ottawa last year had 14 more pts than the Leafs....The Leafs are much better in goal...The Leafs are WAY better on d...Overall top 9 forwards the Leafs are better...The only category the Sens are better this year is top 3 forwards..Leafs are deeper at forward ..

These are basic principles and it will play out on the ice...

I don't understand how the Leafs line up is A LOT better than last year?

They added the gremlin dude, and the drunk dude...

The only thing they've definitely improved at is goaltending.

so how many 40 goal scorers do you think there were in the NHL..Dont look it up...

The answer is only 10..Blake was one of them...The goaltending situation went from a good goalie with an AHL back up to...A great goalie with a good backup...

Mark Bell will come in November and has a lot to prove and will score 20-30 goals in a shortened season...thats a HUGE shot in the arm to the offense , which was already 4th in the conference in offense last year...You can argue all the points you want , everything points to a big year for the Leafs..

I have my issues with Blake. I know he's a 40 goal scorer once though.

I still don't see how they'll have a big year. They're slightly improved from last year. I expect them to contend for a playoff spot, but I'd be suprised if they are a dominant force in the conference.

On the other hand, with the amount of parity in the league, anything is possible. I'm not saying it's impossible for them to win the division, but I think it's a long shot, not what is to be expected.

lol..way to make a prediction mr fence sitter....There is a lot of guys with a lot to prove...

Wellwood, Steen and Stajan...ALL RFA next year
Sundin.....lot of naysayers saying he is over the hill...Look out for him this year
Blake...New team and would love to repeat his n 40 goal status to prove he can score with the best of them

Toskala and Raycroft....IF they want to play they cant let up at all

I am laying it on the line...No fence sitting from me..This team will win a ton of games if they stay healthy...

I'm not here to make a prediction.

I've told you before I'm a Leafs fan as well. I grew up watching HNIC with my Dad.

I'm just saying I don't expect anything extraordinary from them. They're a pretty average team, IMO, but the makeup of the league allows any team to have a good run and take the division, if things fall the right way. I'd be happy to see them win the division, even if it costs me $25.

ok fair enough..we appreciate the support...You can always give up that other team that you like and come to the good side...we will accept you with open arms...

Crosby,Malkin,Staal,Fleury...bla ....boring...

Blake won't score 40 goals this season.

Toskela is overrated. The guy had the best goal support in the league last season for all goaltenders. He won't get that this year AND he won't have the same calibre of defense in front of him.

Sundin will score about 75 points again and the Leafs will battle for one of the last couple of playoff spots.

And now, back to the Serge show.

I am very proud of my team...and your comments are off base..

Thanks though

I am going to try to look at he east as impartial as I can.

1. Rangers- Obviously much improved, only question is on defense and whether Jagr is tough enough to win 3 playoff series in a row.
2. Penguins- Huge improvement from 05/06 to 06/07 and no reason to think they won't improve to second, and maybe best, team in the East.
3. Ottawa- Could be their last chance to make a serious run for a while with Heatly and Spezza not signed yet.
4. Florida- I really think this team is getting better by the year, and their division is the weakest in the East so I think Florida is going to pick up those easy points.
5. Atlanta- I think will barely lose division to Florida, by two maybe 4 points.
6. Buffalo- Still have weapons, solid goaltending and a good coach.
7. Montreal-
8. Toronto- Both Montreal and Toronto will benefit from Philly being better causing the Devils and Islanders to not get easy points.
9. Tampa Bay- 2 points out of 8th spot
10. Carolina- 4 points out of 8th
11. New Jersey- Brodeur won't be able to play as many games, combined with losses of Gomez and Rafalski equals missing the playoffs
12. Philadelphia- Will be better, but by only 12-15 wins better.
13. Washington- Still a year or two away from making the playoffs
14. Boston- weak
15. Islanders-weakest

Serge, by your logic, Blake should be even better than 40 goals with Sundin in the middle. Since you're so convinced.....

I will bet you $50 that Blake does not score 40 this year.

I am pretty convinced of that fact...However I actually think Blake is better suited to play with Wellwood....

You definetely have an edge in that bet, but the sick gambler I am I will take it...Of course I will need an injury insurance...

$50 Blake will score 40 goals minimum games played 72....If you like to take the bet post it in the Wagers Thread

Book it......

Cha-Ching!

Yes Cha Ching to me...

I am the only one on this forum that 100% supports my team and my choices..

I love the Leafs...

STAY TUNED...Later today I will be coming out with an analysis of every Leaf player and what I expect from them

DOnt miss this opportunity to hear from the best...

Here is the official Toronto Maple Leafs 2007-2008 preview...Provided solely and exlusively by the person you all love to hate on here the wonderful and talented Serge..Owner of the AHL Mustangs and the FCHL YAHOO Mustangs...Serge also is the self proclaimed prop betting Champion of North America...On to the Preview.


Here is where I see the projected lineup to look like come preseason and where I think the scoring lines will end up...

Line 1....Alexei Ponikarovsky [b]Mats Sundin Nik Antropov

Line 2... Darcy Tucker Kyle Wellwood Jason Blake

Line 3. Mark Bell Matt Stajan Alexander Steen

Line 4. Bates Battaglia John Pohl Chad Kilger

Extra Forwards
Tony Salmelainen
Kris Newbury
Jeremy Williams
Boyd Devereaux


Defenceman

Tomas Kaberle
Bryan Mccabe
Pavel Kubina
Ian White
Carlo Colaiacovo
Hal Gill

Fighting for a spot
Wade Belak
Andy Wozniewski
Anton Stralman
Staffan Kronwall
Jay Harrison

Goalies

Vesa Toskala
Andrew Raycroft

Scott Clemmensen
Justin Pogge



Thats the projected lineup....Now I will go into detail where I see every major player ending up


MATS SUNDIN .....Mats had another Sundin like year last year...Mr consistensy put 76 pts last year...Sundin will have another good year and if he stays healthy will put up better numbers with the deeper lineup. Maurice will shuffle the lines and look for Sundin to click with Blake sometime throughout the year.and definetely lots of PP time...Sundin will get 30 goals and 85 pts

JASON BLAKE......Of all the free agents that were signed on July 1st Blake had the most goals last year..Blake ended up finishing 10th in league scoring with 40 goals playing for a much less talented forward core in New York...The shoot first Blake(9th in shots in the NHL) seems to be a perfect fit for the pass first Kyle Wellwood...Maurice will no doubtly try these two and they have the potential to be a very dangerous duo...Gretzky Kurri, Hull Oates and now Wellwood and Blake...Lot of people have doubted Blake's one year wonder status...Look for Blake to prove everyone wrong..A great additon to this team....Blake will score 45 goals and 80 pts

KYLE WELLWOOD....Wellwood was having a great year until a groin injury pretty much ended his season...Most players usually blossom in their 3rd years and here is Wellwood's chance. Another thing to remember is Wellwood will be a restricted free agent next year and is looking for a big salary increase from the $950000 contract he currently has. Maurice has said he will increase Wellwood's ice time considerably and look for Wellwood to have a huge year playing his natural centre position. With a proven goal scorer in Blake and a gritty tough guy in Tucker this line should produce huge numbers...if he stays healthy look for 20 goals 55 assists from Wellwood.

DARCY TUCKER Darcy was on his way to another career year until a foot injury limited him to only 54 games...He still put up 24 goals and was a big part of the Leafs offense...Clicked last year on the PP with Wellwood and Sundin...Look for him to get a lot PP minutes with Blake and Sundin...If he can stay healthy another big year is likely from Darcy..Prediction 28 goals and 35 assists....

Alexei Ponikarovsky Pony as he is affectionately called by his mates and the media had a second straight 21 goal season playing mostly with Sundin and Antropov...at 6 4 6 4 and 6 6 this was one of the largest lines in the league and created tons of scoring chances down low leading to a solid year by Pony....A late bloomer the 27 year old is poised to repeat and improve on last year ..25 goals and 25 assists

Nik Antropov Antropov has frustrated Leaf fans for years with his potential and not much to show for it...However last year he did manage to put together a career best 18 goals..The thing with Antropov is he has averaged only 58 games over the last 3 years....The key here is to stay healthy and a 20 goal season is within reach....Prediction 20 goals 23 assists

Matt Stajan Another promising youngster on the roster ...In a limited role managed to put up 39 pts which was a career high. The 23 year old Stajan goes into restricted free agency and would like to put up some good numbers. Has shown a lot more defensive responsibility as of late and is a solid 3rd line player...Look for a 40 -50 pt season from Stajan

Alexander Steen The son of NHL regular Tomas Steen is also a RFA in 2008. Showed signs of brilliance in a 3 month stretch where he put up 26pts in 27 games. Could make a huge leap forward if he can show some more consistency...Unfortunately will be limited in ice time and will not get any PP time as he is low on the depth chart with the Leafs improving at the forward position...Look for a potential 20 goal season from Steen.

Mark Bell Bell has had the much documented off ice problems and looks to turn his life around in Toronto...Took back to back bad beats as first he was sentenced to 6 months in jail and then Gary Bettman suspended him for 15 games..Hopefully he will come back healthy and with a lot to prove and will fit in nicely with the blue and white offense...Look for 23 goals from Bell in a shortened season.

Bryan Mccabe Along with Tomas Kaberle, Mccabe gives the Leafs a one two punch on defence which a lot of teams in the NHL dont have. Mccabe followed up his career year two year ago to a very solid 15 goal 57 pt season...He lives off the PP and look for him to rack up even more pts as the Leafs forward core has improved. Needs to stop taking needless minor penalties and play a smarter defensive game....Look for Mccabe to put up 17 goals and 65 pts.

Tomas Kaberle Also put up solid numbers with 11 goals and 47 pts...One of the best puckhandlers in the league and responsible for a solid transition game the Leafs will employ. Great combo with Mccabe on the PP...Should put up similar numbers from last year...

Pavel Kubina Struggled to live up the $20 million 4 yr contract he was signed to...Does possess offensive skills as he had 17 goals two years ago...Wont put up huge numbers however look for him to improve from last years 7 g 21 pt output....



Some young players to watch on the blueline are Ian White , Carlo C and Steffan Kronwall....The leafs are very deep at this position and have several young guys that can step in like they did last yaer.


GOALTENDING

VESA TOSKALA The Leafs immensely improved the goaltending situation with the trade that brought Toskala to the ACC....With the opportunity to prove himself as a number one goalie and a solid backup to push him, he has found the right situation in Toronto.

Andrew Rayrcoft Look for Raycroft to be given every opportunity to claim the starter role. Maurice will go with the hot hand and its a good problem to have two solid goalies to rely on...



JFJ did a great job in the off season to make this team competitive again. Admittedly his previous mistakes handcuffed him slightly(Kubina's 5 million) however he rebounded right back with a solid trade and a great free agent signing in Blake. The LEafs are in position not only to get back to the playoffs after a 3 year absence , however should be able to challenge for the Eastern Conference which is pretty wide open....The Leafs who in recent years have been criticized for drafting poorly have a few solid prospects waiting in the wings. Justin Pogge is the future goalie and guys like Stralman,Tlusty,Williams are poised to step in and continue to carry on the Leafs powerful tradition. A lot still has to go right in 2008 for the Leafs to win the Cup, however they are in a position to challenge for it.

Didn't you hear, Mark Bell has been suspended.


Wow, Toronto should challenge for the President's Trophy with every one of their players either having similar numbers to last season or better.

yes of course...he will be back...

Yeah, I noticed that too.... according to Serge, the Leafs are on their way to breaking the single season NHL scoring record for a team... LOL

BUT..... MY FAVOURITE PART..........

DARCY TUCKER Darcy was on his way to another career year until a foot injury limited him to only 54 games...He still put up 24 goals and was a big part of the Leafs offense...Clicked last year on the PP with Wellwood and Sundin...Look for him to get a lot PP minutes with Blake and Sundin


Gee, uh, yeah, that is true for sure. The leafs first PP unit does tend to play 90 seconds on the PP, sometimes even more. Which leads me to wonder what might possibly happen to Jason Blake, who scored 14 of his 40 goals on the power play. So Blake is going to equal his career high goal total without the benefit of first unit PP time???

And people wonder why we jump so hard on the opportunity to get money down with serge......

I never said Blake wouldnt get 1st PP time...He definetely will along with Sundin...It will be tough on Wellwood and Tucker...I actually like to see Wellwood, Blake, Tucker and Sundin and Mccabe on the point...

Tucker and Blake are both left handed shots who play the off wing. There is no room for both of them on the same PP unit. Sundin on the point renders his skill and size down low ineffective. So expecting PP specialist Tucker and PP specialist Blake to both match career years when one of the two has to play on the second PP unit is simply ridonkulous. But, of course, you're down there and know more than reporters, so you MUST be right....... LOL

as i told you before I understand the Leaf situation better than most reporters....A reporters main job is to create controversy..but thats just my opinion....Also you are correct in your assesment with Blake and Tucker..however with two STRONGER pp units they might play the second unit more...Also I dont agree with your assesment on Sundin's ineffectiveness on the point...He has a great shot and also can pass the puck pretty well....

Report that Sundin has asked to play along with Blake looks to be accurate....HOwever nothing is written in stone and Maurice loves to shuffle lines...


Tonight the journey begins...First game of the year for the future Stanley Cup champions of 2008...The leafs embark on their journey with a tilt against the Oilers...

GO LEAFS GO

Good start to the pre season schedule as the team look solid..Sundin and Blake and a few other regulars were not in the lineup and Justin Pogge got some action..

Lets keep it going boys...we are getting close

Hi Guys,

Its been a while since I posted. Just relaxing a little before headind down to the rink for our game against Phoenix tonight. The boys look like they are all in shape and I feel 100% after my surgery last year, so we are all excited. Coach has decided to put Mats with Antropov and Blake and I will be centring Pony any Tucks....I think its a solid two lines that we can match and mix against any opposition. I am really excited about the coming year and look forward to coming in time to time to give you guys some updates on the team.

Hope everyone is ready for an exciting year in the NHL, I know I am.


Kyle