As the summer of 2022 has indubitably come to a close, the changing seasons provides with it the opportunity for rather palpable reflection. Some of us will opt to dig out the mound of scoresheets buried deep in our golf bags, others may disconnect the propane from their barbecue and hide it under a broken table in the garage for the winter. Regardless, there are an overwhelming number of us anxiously awaiting another 82 games of Leafs hockey; an incredibly powerful common denominator for those that have chosen the blue and white.
When Jason Spezza hung up his skates after 19 NHL seasons this past may, it showed the public that winning in the modern day NHL is a steeper endeavor than most of us come to realize. Sure he’s no Mike Modano getting tripped at the finish line [Modano retired at the end of the 2010-11 season at 1499 games played after some trouble in paradise, with then Red Wings coach Mike Babcock], but Spezza deciding to call it at 995 career points spoke volumes. Spezza simply reminded us that this is a team sport first, and personal accolades should always take a back seat. The way the Leafs played in Round 1 against the Tampa bay Lightning of the 2022 NHL playoffs truly was their best, and if it wasn’t, Spezza would be back on the ice at Scotiabank Arena next week. Not drinking V8 and filling out bubble sheets in the managers box with Dubas and Shanahan.
For someone like John Tavares, his tenure in Toronto has been nothing short of torturous. An incredible hockey player, and arguably an even better human being, has faced the same fate for four seasons since joining the club [three seasons since being graced with the captaincy]. The man is an incredible spokesperson for the organization, and a hometown boy who seems to be devoting the prime of his career to bringing home a championship. He too would tell you without skipping a beat – that the Tampa series last May was the Leafs best foot forward. Unlike Spezza, Tavares remains in uniform, likely with a fire lit beneath him. His 2022-23 campaign should be another well sculpted test of endurance like we have seen from him several times before.
Sheldon Keefe enters this fall on a chairlift headed straight for the hot seat. The Atlantic Division is good, but in the past several years has arguably been more competitive than what this year might present. Florida and Tampa Bay remain the ones to beat, and Ottawa may be in the mix for a playoff spot at times, but no expectations are higher [as always] than for the Leafs. Keefe does not have the luxury of going on any losing streaks during the regular season. As much as we remind ourselves it’s all about the playoffs, getting there in the first place will remain the priority for the next 7 months. If the Leafs go on any notable skid, Keefe is gone. If the Leafs don’t make it past round one – Keefe is undoubtedly gone. It would be a shame to see him behind anyone else’s bench, but like anything – results take precedent.
With over a week remaining until the nostalgia hits on October 12, and some roster cuts to make in that time, for now we take our [Milk] money and wait. The Leafs depth remains impressive, despite the departure of the incredibly talented Ilya Mikhehev. The storms continue to rage all over the eastern part of the continent, but in the hockey world things remain tranquil. After all, uncertainty breeds excitement, and the year ahead retains plenty of uncertainty.
(picture: NHL.com)