Toronto Maple Leafs: The Organization is on the Verge of Finally Snapping Their Playoff Drought, But Who’s The Reason? Shanahan? Lou or the Teams Rookies?
The Toronto Maple Leafs have been out of the playoff picture since the 2012-13 lookout season. They have struggled to make it back ever since, but why is this?
At this moment in time, it’s easy to believe the organizations are the ones we should all give credit too, players like Mitch Marner, Auston Matthews, Zach Hyman, William Nylander, Connor Brown, Nikita Soshnikov, and Nikita Zaitsev have been very instrumental players on the team’s success. But theirs also one more player that most overlook due to the rookie parade and that’s Frederik Andersen.
Many of the Leafs brass only knew one thing about Andersen and that was how down the stretch and in the playoffs he would fall apart mentally. But as of now his play has been very decent and looks more comfortable in Toronto than he did in Anaheim. this could be mainly due to the fact that he knows he’s the bonafide number one without anyone creeping up behind him like in Anaheim.
Rookie Power
But let’s get back to the rookies, Auston Matthews leads the team in points and sits second in rookie scoring only behind Patrik Laine. Mitch Marner sits third in rookie scoring while William Nylander sits fourth. All three players play over 20 minutes a night and are relied upon in every situation on the ice.
Now over to Nikita Zaitsev, he’s a 24-year-old rookie who came over from the KHL in the offseason, many believed he was just hype. But all season he’s been rock solid mostly playing on the first line and averaging over 21 minutes a game.
Connor Brown has been dominant at every level he’s played and has scored with no problems, and playing on a line with the majority of the season with both Zach Hyman and Auston Matthews, Connor has done very well for himself thus far making him a very influential player as well.
Nikita Soshnikov is another top rookie for the Leafs who has been playing most of his time on the fourth line, but that hasn’t stopped him from putting up points and playing a very solid two-way game. Thus turning himself from a playmaker to a two-way forward.
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So with the Toronto Maple Leafs setting all eyes on the playoffs, and all of these rookies playing influential parts what’s the cause for them possibly seeing post-season action? Is it solid coaching from Mike Babcock? Is it new goalie Frederik Andersen? Or the team’s veterans?
I like to believe it’s a factor of all the above. With the rookies getting a slide edge, cause, after all, they do lead this team everywhere on the ice.