NHL training camps have opened across North America and in this part of the continent, the focus is on Niagara Falls.
That’s where the Toronto Maple Leafs are stationed for the start of their pre-season.
It has been a few months since we last saw the Leafs in action; a young, talented and determined bunch that gave the President’s Trophy winning Washington Capitals a good run in Round 1 of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Fast forward to today, and the expectations for the Blue and White entering 2017/18 has grown, as they should.
A lineup that boasts a sky-is-the-limit talent like NHL rookie of the year Auston Matthews, slick forwards William Nylander and Mitch Marner, star veteran Patrick Marleau, puck moving defencemen Morgan Reilly and Jake Gardiner, and solid goaltender Frederik Anderson, should be able to take the next step.
I like Toronto’s decision to remain captain-less in 2017/18. Matthews is the leading candidate to wear the ‘C’ but there’s no need to put even more pressure on the 19 year old as he heads into his sophomore season.
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One of the Leafs’ next steps should be securing more wins and points in the standings, another must be winning at least one playoff round.
The simple fact is with greater results come greater expectations, and greater disappointment if they’re not met.
There’s no telling how Toronto is going to perform this year, but we do know this… the number of question marks surrounding the Buds has greatly reduced from last year, and certainly from two seasons ago.
It’s a team going in the right direction, and for Leafs fans, they’re hoping that direction continues to point upward this season.
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