On the bright side, we beat the Sens for the first time all season. Following the game, CBC showed the Tampa Bay-Carolina game, which went to overtime. When Martin St. Louis scored with 10.7 seconds left, the Leafs were eliminated from playoff contention for the first time in eight years.
It's important we don't allow this late season excellence to cloud our judgement as we look back at this failed campaign. The fact of the matter is, we played so poorly in the second half of the season that even securing eighteen of our last twenty possible points isn't good enough to put us in the top eight of fifteen teams in the East. Actually, it wasn't enough to put us in the top nine. It was a sweet finish, but the season as a whole was extremely disapointing and great changes are necessary to ensure we're in the dance again next year.
I believe Mikael Tellqvist is finished as a Leaf. I believe we'll bring in a potential number one goaltender to fight Aubin for the job. I believe we'll re-sign Bryan McCabe, bring in another proven defender and go with at least two youngsters as regulars on the blue line next season. I believe we'll bring in a few new forwards, at least two of which are proven players who will nicely complement Mats Sundin. Patrik Elias, are you reading this? Pat Quinn will not be fired, but will be relieved of his head coaching duties in favour of Paul Maurice. Ferguson, Jr. will be given one more year. At the very least, he's improved the scouting and drafting, something we've sucked at for far too long.
I have one final prediction. I believe this rebuilding process will be swift and we'll be an elite team again in a few years. In fact, I believe we'll win the Stanley Cup in 2010 with young phenom Justin Pogge between the pipes. 2010: The year we make contact.
Current Record Last GamesSeason Leaders41-32-8
88 points
4th in Northeast5-1 Win vs. Ottawa
4-3 Win vs. New York Islanders
6-5 Win vs. FloridaM. Sundin - 74
B. McCabe - 68
T. Kaberle - 66
