Leafs Struggles Continue

 

Well, here I am back with after a four-day break now before I talk about last night’s game, I want to bring the readers up to speed on everything with the Maple Leafs because there are a few pieces of news that took place during Toronto’s much needed break.

The first thing I would like to talk about is Forward Jimmy Vesey is now a member of the Vancouver Canucks after they claimed him off waivers the other day. Vesey was signed to a 1-year 900K contract on July 1^st and there was a time where Vesey was looked at as a top prospect in the league and at one time there were many teams bidding for the services of Jimmy Vesey. Some analysts Daren Dreger went as far as to say, “If the Leafs can land Vesey then Nylander is no doubt traded away”. Well, this is a quote I bet Dreger would like to take back because Jimmy Vesy’s numbers have not matched Nylander’s production at all. In three seasons with the Rangers Vesey would have respectable numbers where he would total just under 20 goals all three years with his best point total coming in be his final season as a Ranger where he would collect 35 points. He would then movie onto the Buffalo Sabres, and no I am not going to go into the troubles that franchise is having but in his one season with Buffalo 20 points in 64 games played. Finally, Jimmy would sign with the Leafs on a low value low risk deal, and we would see him bounce up and down the line up spending time on the second, third line and even fourth line but unfortunately the production just was not there. In 30 games as a Maple Leaf, he would collect just 7 points.

Honestly, I hope for Jimmy Vesey’s sake playing in Vancouver can help him rebound and find his game, but production has been on the decline and it looks as though that will continue. The reason for Toronto placing Vesey on Waivers was because both Wayne Simmonds and backup goalie Jack Campbell were taken off the injured list and cleared to play. So, with Vesey claimed by the Canucks Leaf fans I would not be too concerned with this player not really working out in Toronto.

 Secondly, I want to give a quick mention to Kyle Dubas and his midseason zoom call. In it he talked about the benefit that having players like Jason Spezza, Wayne Simmonds, and Joe Thornton bring to the team both on and off the ice. Having those players helps when a team is going through a rough patch like the Maple Leafs currently are because they can help keep the locker room lose and help the younger players confident and focused on the bigger picture meaning they understand that sure things are not going as we had hoped right now but we are good enough to turn this entre thing around and headed once again into the right direction.

I think the most interesting part of Kyle’s zoom call came when he was asked with the trade deadline quickly approaching would he be willing to trade a top prospect or prospects to improve his team I an area of need Kyle gave a definitive “yes”. Toronto is rumored to be in on Mikhal Granlund from Nashville or Rickard Rakell from the Anaheim Ducks, but some believe the Ducks asking price is too high. I have also heard Toronto and Columbus Captain Nick Foligno rumored to be linked together. One thing is for sure, the trade deadline will be interesting to see what happens in Leaf Land and yes there will be an article following the deadline where I discuss any trades the Leafs have made on deadline day.

 

Now finally to the game,

 

Last night after stumbling into their four days off and coming off a loss to Ottawa the Leafs were back in action for game 1 of a back-to-back set against the visiting Calgary Flames. Some positive news to start as both Wayne Simmonds and Jack Campbell would be returning to the Leaf lineup. This was Simmonds first game back since injuring his wrist on February 6^th and Campbell first game back since shutting out in the Edmonton Oilers in their 3-game series which feels like a lifetime ago thanks to this current rough patch, Also Alex Galchenyuk who was acquired earlier in the season by Toronto would make his debut as a Maple Leaf after picking up 8 points in 6 games in his short stint with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies.

Freddie Andersen would get the start and he would be countered by Jacob Markstrom in goal for Calgary. Toronto seemed to start the game sluggish, and Calgary would start quick as they would spend time in Toronto’s end of the ice causing Toronto’s defense would be running around. Toronto would see a concerning trend continue when for 6 of their last 7 games it would be their opponents open the scoring as Calgary’s Matthew Tkachuck would score his 8^th goal of the season as his point shot would go off Travis Dermott and in for the early 1-0 lead. After a giveaway in his own end from John Tavares Calgary would double there lead 2-0 as Derek Ryan would send the puck into an open cage for only his second goal on this short season. Toronto would be once again having to claw their way back from a 2-goal deficit early in the contest.

Midway through the opening period the Leafs who were once again dawning their St Pats jerseys would find the score sheet as veteran Jason Spezza would finish off a give and go passing play for his 6^th goal of the season and giving Simmonds an assist in his first game back instantly making an impact for the trailing home team. The excitement would be short lived as Calgary’s lead would once again grow by two as Chris Tanev would send a point shot passed Freddie Andersen that he did not react too.

The first period would finish with Toronto trailing by a score of 3-2 thanks to Alex Kerfoot who would beat Markstrom on the stick side for his 5^th goal of the season.

Thanks to the late goal by Kerfoot Toronto started the middle period much better then the first and they would find themselves reward for their strong start and would tie the game at three as Mitch Marner would gather a lose puck thanks to Joe Thornton keeping the puck in the Calgary zone and Mitch would fire the puck top shelf to the game level. The Leafs would continue to pressure for the go-ahead goal but midway through period number two Toronto go onto the penalty kill as Ilya Mikheyev would serve two minutes for holding. Toronto’s penalty kill as mentioned before has been an issue as of late and it would haunt Toronto once again as from a won faceoff Mark Giordano would put Calgary ahead for the second time as his point shot would deflect off Jake Muzzin ever so slightly but again it was a shot that Freddie didn’t see.

 

Period three would see the Leafs play well and control procession and picking up quality opportunities but Calgary would do a great job blocking shots and preventing rebound opportunities. One of these chances would be when Auston Matthews received a pass for a one timer on a gaping Calgary Flames net on what was thought to be a sure goal only to see Markstrom dive across in desperation and get just enough of the puck to keep his visiting Flames in the lead. Toronto would try and tie the game with Freddie Andersen on the bench, but Toronto would see time run out and the game would end with Calgary winning by a score of 4-3.

 

Some thoughts about last nights effort, I was impressed with Galchenyuk in his first game despite his line being minus two I thought he was playing with a spark and was working hard on the forecheck he was battling for lose pucks and I think he can provide a spark for the 2^nd line of the Leafs. Overall, I do not think the Leafs played a bad game the chances were there, but they just are not going in. A concern is the play of Andersen in goal. Let’s be honest it hasn’t been good at all this month and obviously we have seen him play much better, but he recently admitted that he isn’t playing at 100% and its clear by the numbers his play is subpar. Now I by no means am writing off Freddie Andersen like the rest of the armchair general managers in the Leafs fan base but I do feel that in tonight’s rematch with Jack Campbell starting in goal if he has a strong performance and is able to backstop Toronto to a win then if I am Sheldon Keefe I give Campbell the net for a little bit allowing Andersen to hopefully recover from what ever ailment he is dealing with and Campbell and proven he can keep his team in games and get the Leafs headed in the right direction as he’s won all of his three starts.

So hopefully tonight in the rematch against Calgary Toronto can find their way back into the win column before heading into another mini break.