SO THIS IS HOW THINGS LOOK FROM UP HERE
Even the most positive thinking Leaf fan could not have
envisioned this. Almost three weeks into the
season, the Leafs are atop not only their division and
conference, but they are tied for first place overall!
While the Leafs are not putting the wagon before the proverbial
horse, they simply are playing harder than we have seen in years.
The team that struggled to get a goal or two on most night has
had little difficulty tickling the twine so far.
Mike Murphy's assessment of the club was that it simply did not
have the wheels to play a more offensive-minded game. Instead,
they played more of the trap in a defensive-oriented system.
New coach Pat Quinn would hear none of that and he has found that
the legs are indeed there and has found life where Murphy could
not. For whatever reason, Alyn McCauley and Sergei Berezin, who
were constantly in Murphy's chateaux le bow wow, have been
playing integral roles for the Leafs. Both have been getting a
great deal of ice time as a reward for hard work. McCauley's
success has somewhat quieted the call for a deal for second
line center.
Few people expect the Leafs to continue at this pace, however, it
is nice to see some excitement come from MLG. As the team
prepares to move from their storied home to new digs, it is nice
to be able to talk hockey and not simply the usual politics that
tended to engulf the Leafs in years past. The play has been so
unexpected that the local media has been trying to stir things up
to get stories. So far little has affected the squad, however,
they do now face some real Eastern division competition starting
with a home-and-home series with Buffalo and an upcoming game in
Boston. These games should prove to be a good test for the
team.
Notes: Mathieu Schneider was shipped out the day after we
went to print last week, as expected. Alexander Karpovtsev was
physically unable to join the team when the deal was made, but
has now found his way to Toronto. Unfortunately, he has yet to
make much of an impression with his new team.
As for Potvin, with the Habs and Nucks getting manhandled of
late, it appears that the rumor mill should start churning again.
Reports seem to suggest that a Linden for Potvin deal remains on
the table, however, it seems highly unlikely that this deal or
any other deal could be made exclusively as a one-for-one swap.
Look for talk of a three-way trade with at least two players
coming and going from the blue and white.
