Where Will The Leafs Finish This Year And Why?

[Robin Hood]

Neel and I have been having a running argument for 2 months now. He thinks the Leafs have overspent this off-season at the cost of their future. I think the acquisitions have been pretty good and we will have a better team this year and going forward.

We made a side bet about where we think the Leafs will finish this year. Wanted to get BBKL's opinion as well.

Each person is allowed a Range of 3 positions the Leafs can finish. I'll add everyone's prediction to the OP here and we can look back on it at the end of the season. When selecting your range, please outline your reasons.

Predictions

Shiv: 5-7 in the East
Neel: 8-10
Mike: 8-10
Paul: 9-11
Steve: 3-5
Shep: 9-11
Nick: 4-6
Shook: 6-8
Anton: 5-7
Thom: 8-10
Tony: 6
Bruyns: 7-9
Arian: 6-8

[Mike]

I'm with Neel, don't think we'll have as good a showing as we did this year. I like the 8-10 prediction.

Though Bernier could be a game changer.

[kimmer]

Still need proper shutdown D-core

I'm saying 9th-11th just short of playoffs, I'm a fag

As a homer I'd like to say 8th though ;(

[The BBKL Insider]

Gardiner with a bigger year, Kessel in a contract year. Kadri with actually wingers, Bozak a year older.

Leafs finish 3rd in the East

[Shep]

I can't see any scenario where the Leafs make the playoffs. We have no depth up front and if we get 1 or 2 injuries to our top 9 we'll plummet fast.

Bernier and Reimer will need to be lights out for us to fight for a playoff spot.

[CAM]

The East just welcomed Detroit and Columbus. Gonna be some tight now.

[Nick]

Not winning our div, however I see a strong group: 4-5th

#1 dman in a contract year (Dion)
#1 scorer in a contract year (Kessel)
#1b Goalies competing for that starting job, both have potential to be a long-term NHL starter
#2 centre in an earn your next contract + continues shortened season breakout

I obviously believe in the development of Gardiner - I think he's going to be very very good and in direct opposition to Shep's view, I like our depth up front. I see 3 centers who can perform, and a very good group of wingers, starting with Lupul & Kessel, but IMO Clarkson + JvR are capable of being top line wingers as well - what we lack in size/speed up the middle we make up for it on the wings - Kulemin is a dream 3rd line winger, and I figure that's opposite of where Raymond will play.

Lupul- Bozak - Kessel
JvR - Kadri - Clarkson
Kulemin - Bolland - Raymond

with guys like Biggs, Colborne and Ashton pushing for their chance I think we'd survive an injury. On the 4th line we obviously begin with Orr & McClement and IMO have a good group of 12th forward choices, Bodie, Trevor Smtih, D'Amigo in addition to the double-goon option w/McLaren.

Dion - Gunner
Gardiner - whoever makes it (JmL, Ranger, etc)
Fraser - Franson
Rielly in the first 8 games and we'll see.

Based on what I saw last year, I don't think this is a step backwards.

[shooker]

Terrible D keeps you out of the top 4 but an elite team defense system and improved goaltending guarantees a playoff spot. Det will win the Division but I see the leafs in a spot from 6-8.

[kimmer]

pretty crazy predictions so far lol wow

[anton]

we are an improved team from last season - i don't see how anyone could argue with that.

only thing keeping us from finishing higher is the introduction of the wings to the East. We'll be a 5-7 in the East sort of team. Could be higher if Bernier turns out to be the real deal.

[Lee]

I'd be happy if we made the playoffs at any seed.

[Tony]

6 seed

[Robin Hood]

I'd be happy if we made the playoffs at any seed.

Formulate that into a prediction please with a range of 3 spots.

[Robin Hood]

6 seed

Range?

[The BBKL Insider]

Leafs are making the playoffs, you fuckers are crazy

[thom54]

8-10. Fucking nonis

[The BBKL Insider]

8-10. Fucking nonis

Nonis? nonis is a hockey gawd, they should have a movie about him...F the A's and baseball, the leafs need a movie.

[Robin Hood]

8-10. Fucking nonis

Nonis? nonis is a hockey gawd, they should have a movie about him...F the A's and baseball, the leafs need a movie.

LOL

[anton]

im so confused. what has nonis done that would radically lower our place in the standings next season? he's replaced grab with bolland and frattin with clarkson, and mac with likely raymond. then added another goalie with #1 potential.

if the cap doesn't go up substantially and we can't sign phaneuf/kessel next summer then you can say fuck nonis, but his moves will be nothing but positive this coming season.

[Tony]

6 seed

Range?

No range. Exactly 6th.