31 in 31: Toronto Maple Leafs 2018-19 season preview

NHL Network's Mike Johnson and NHL.com senior writer Dan Rosen look at the biggest questions facing the Toronto Maple Leafs this season and make their highly anticipated playoff predictions

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Feeling social?

[mordyr]

Who else thinks Andreas Johnnsson will have a huge breakout year?
Him and kapanen are gonna be really fun

[Someone-utdm]

I'm an oilers fan so I kinda know what suffering is like. But I think the leafs finally deserve something after more than 50 years of basically nothing. The fanbase deserves it (at least, most, I have seen some cocky leafs fans but every fanbase has some bad fans). I just wish my oilers can make the playoffs more than once in 12 years.

[qqqspx]

Our 3rd line Centre, Nazem Kadri, had back to back 32 goal campaigns. LOL!

[whagwan]

Matthews is gonna have a good year, calling it here and now

[MrJattay]

Hey non leafs fans, I know our fan base can be obnoxious at times and part of that is that there are so many of us but also try to remember we haven't had a team like this in a long long time. Right now we're just excited to see what this team can do and we're not used to this.

[ethanelias]

Anyone else here still hearing those comments in every Leafs video saying "JOHN TAVARES IS A LEAF!" 😂

[Scionofgreyhaven]

The comments are so nice for so reason! I hope the Leafs make you guys proud and win the cup soon!

[bradjames]

Thank's Mike for explaining their defense to people. YES its good enough. Middle of the pack defensively, top 3 offensively. THAT IS FINE when you have the best forward group in the league people. LoL

[joshyjr]

I bet all Leafs fans are satisfied that the NHL finally got to them

[Flaris]

A fair point on the #1D issue. In that respect you are talking about the top 10 guys. If it's top 31, then Rielly is one of the top 31 defensemen in the NHL. So he's either a #1D or that category is just too small to be worried about it. It's up to the guys there to do the job. They've been bringing guys over from Europe and the KHL the past few years. They've got guys developing on the AHL team. Just have to see if they are good enough or not.

The expectation is there for that team to do well. They've rebuilt, developed, and accumulated talent. Now it's up to the team to come through. The goal now is to go out there and win.

[killersrage]

Dan Rosen should really check his notes before doing this...Par lindholm is a center not a d man.

[yourcanadianidol]

You knew they were going to harp on the defense. They we're middle of the pack last year in goals against. No good, not bad, and not entirely their defense's fault. Leafs dump two of their biggest liabilities up front and acquire an elite two way centre. Combine that with a bounce back year from Zaitsev, player growth from Dermott, and better usage of Hainsey and the Leafs will be in great shape. It isn't as bad as a lot of hockey "experts" are saying.

[ryiscept]

As long as kadri, Johnson and kapanen are on the third line I'll be happy

[jennyjia]

105 points with rubbish defense last season and now literally has 5 FRICKEN D MEN yet they still do so well..this team is special

[smalette]

My whole room is all about toronto maple leafs

[qqqspx]

If you think the Leafs' defense sucks, then you are just wrong. They were 3rd in points by Dmen, excellent PK, shot metrics, driving play, shots to slot etc. all very, very good. You will be pleasantly surprised this season.

[TheDragonSmasher]

There will still be a lot of 6-5 wins and maybe some losses, but this team is scary af

[tomasmorgan]

These guys think they are coming up with the line combos but babs already announced what the top 2 lines will be to start the season

[kllezfun]

Still can’t see them going far without addressing the defense and getting consistent goaltending.

[predestinedbyGod]

Finally, the only franchise that matters . Canada’s team, the Mecca of hockey, the centre of the universe and soon to be 14x Stanley cup champions #91