Fallen Leafs

Jonas “The Monster” Gustavsson makes the save of the season. And the season hasn’t even started yet. Psst, NHL goalies? Yeah, the bar has just been set.

In all honesty, the excitement for the upcoming season is palpable for any fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs. The injection of youth to the existing core has been noticeable and the energy, competition, and entertainment factor have all been ramped up. From the heady two-way play of Tyler Bozak, the breathtaking speed and size of Viktor Stålberg, the magnificent hands and creativity of Nazem Kadri, and now, the growing legacy of one Jonas Gustavsson, this is the type of team that should have broke out following the ill-fated lockout in 2004. After four straight years of missing the playoffs, the Leafs have made a statement. If you want to beat this team, it’s not going to be easy anymore.

By forcing the team to bring its overall effort and fitness level up, the quality of play has increased by leaps and bounds. The Leafs have toughness in spades now. Slowly but surely, the skill level is also catching up. Talent. Truculence. Trophy? Not yet. But the Maple Leafs are reborn.

Finally.

(As an aside, that kind of flexibility and athleticism shown by Gustavsson, well, I bet Emily must be a very content girlfriend. “<Censored> Five-hole!” Boys, am I rite? Woo!)