Maple Leafs plan to land First Overall Pick

The Leafs continue to prepare for another season and all Leaf fans (myself included) hope to see the playoff misses end but can a team that does not have a 30 goal scorer, has a goaltender that ranked towards the bottom of every goaltending category and the worst penalty killing team in hockey be expected to fight for a playoff spot this upcoming season. The Leafs have definitely became a meaner team and will make games tougher to win for their opponents but can this team actually win enough games to make the playoffs. The Eastern Conference eighth seed usually averages 90 points to reach the dance and for the Leafs to accomplish this they would also need to actually get themselves some shootout victories as they currently have the fifth worst record since this gimmick has been in play. When you look at everything that seems to be against us then its hard to imagine this team would make the playoffs so the obvious must be that they have been built to lose. The Leafs are a meaner club and that is before the possibility of adding the meanest player as some would say in Todd Bertuzzi, as rumours swirl that he may imply his trade in the Blue and White. Maple Leaf fans will see the Leafs parade to the penalty box all season long and with the worst penaly killing in the league that amounts to loss over loss, once the Leafs are behind in the game who will come through with some big goals to bring them back, well the odds are it could be anyone but how often will that happen? The Leafs did not have one player who scored over 25 goals last season and with the exception of possibly Grabovski may not have anyone do that this season. When you take a look at the goaltending situation where a healthy Toskala or Gustavsson may stop pucks but they cant score and how many powerplay chances will they be able to keep the team off the scoresheet, my guess is not many. Then the logical situation in Leafland is that the team is looking to cash in with the first overall pick and how would that help fast track the Leafs rebuilding plan? The team would then be able to select highly touted Windsor Spitfires center Taylor Hall who has 174 points in 126 games. The Leafs need a number one center and without obtaining that through a trade or signing, the draft is the next logical choice. Taylor Hall in Toronto, Brian Burke may have done just enough to get us this potential superstar. Maple Leafs fans will have a long season ahead i just hope its one that we can see some hockey in late April but by the look of things there may be a better chance of not getting snow for Christmas.