Despite lack of offseason changes, Toronto Maple Leafs confident of turnaround -NHL Special
It is always tough having to see a sports franchise as big as the Toronto Maple Leaf struggle to achieve any big in the National Hockey League (NHL).
Money not being a problem for the highest earning club in the league, Toronto Maple Leafs were still unable to make some significant changes to their line-up, but are still confident of a turnaround next regular season.
The biggest deal that Maple Leafs were involved in was without a doubt acquiring James van Riemsdyk for defenseman Luke Schenn in a trade with Philadelphia Flyers. Maple Leafs knew they had to get a big named forward into the offensive department after a
failed season below the playoff line, but it also meant losing a top-level defenseman as well.
For their 22-year-old defender, Toronto Maple Leafs acquired 23-year-old, former second overall draft pick, James van Riemsdyk.
The native of Middletown, New Jersey, United States, put up 24 points (11 goals, 13 assists) last season in 43 games played with 24 minutes in penalty time. In a total of 196 games played, the young forward has 99 points (47 goals, 52 assists).
He will be playing the centre position with Toronto this time around and could possibly have a much better fresh start coming off a foot injury.
"I have played it a little bit in the past, and any time you can be a little more versatile as a player, it is definitely a good thing," van Riemsdyk told reporters. "I'm excited about that."
Most of next season will depend on Toronto trusting their players to have a turnaround season for the club. Instead of acquiring goaltending talent like Roberto Luongo over the offseason, Maple Leafs are focused on letting James Reimer do the deed and develop
into a top level net minder.
"We are prepared to go forward on that basis," Burke told reporters. "If we can upgrade at the goaltending position, and at a reasonable price, we'll do it. But we are prepared (to go with Reimer and Scrivens). I believe in James Reimer. He's young, he's
athletic, I believe in this kid. If we have to start like that, we will."
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