I want to flesh out those subjects further in this space, particularly when managing expectations for the organization and its players this spring.
First and foremost, I don’t think it’s acceptable to punt during a strong season from the team’s top players nor do I think the Leafs are doing this. The team is four lines deep, they have eight NHL defensemen when healthy, and they have three NHL goalies on the roster. Their three stars playing at an elite level. There is legitimate talent and depth on the team.
As things stand today, a healthy Leafs forward group for Game 1 of the playoffs looks something like this:
Knies – Matthews – Marner
Bertuzzi – Tavares – Nylander
McMann – Domi – Jarnkrok
Dewar – Kampf – Reaves
Holmberg, Robertson, Gregor
Assuming Reaves is in the lineup to start, all of those players have already played in the playoffs.