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Toronto Maple Leafs: Questions Left to Be Answered in 2016

By David Morassutti

Jan 2, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock talks to Toronto Maple Leafs forward Brad Boyes (28) on the bench during a game against St. Louis Blues at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated St. Louis 4-1. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock talks to Toronto Maple Leafs forward Brad Boyes (28) on the bench during a game against St. Louis Blues at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated St. Louis 4-1. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Toronto Maple Leafs
Dec 30, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock talks with Leo Komarov (47) and Roman Polak (46) before the start of the overtime period against thePittsburgh Penguins during an NHL hockey game at Consol Energy Center. Toronto won 3-2 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Don Wright-USA TODAY Sports /

Where Will They Finish in the Standings?

The Leafs have been in the bottom five of the standings for most of the season and it is still too early to say where they will end up after the trade deadline. Out of all the teams ranked 25-30 the Leafs are the closest team to having an even goal differential with a -4 goal differential. The closest team to them is the Buffalo Sabres who have a -14 goal differential.

This is where it is hard to see the Leafs finishing as the worst team in the league. The Columbus Blue Jackets have been a mess, the Carolina Hurricanes have worse goaltending than the Leafs, the Philadelphia Flyers have had a tough time producing offence, and the Edmonton Oilers and Buffalo Sabres should both pass the Leafs with the young talent they have.

Dec 29, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau (15) is congratulated after scoring against New York Islanders in the second period at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 29, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau (15) is congratulated after scoring against New York Islanders in the second period at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

If the season ended today, the Leafs would be guaranteed a top five draft pick. There is still the chance that even without finishing as the worst team in the league they can possibly move into the top three.

Obviously Leafs fans really want Auston Matthews and it is hard to argue with what he has done in Switzerland and at the World Juniors with Team USA. However, the Leafs should remember that there are no guarantees when it comes to the draft lottery unless you are the Edmonton Oilers.

The Leafs approach at the trade deadline and the play of their goalies will dictate where they finish in the standings. There is probably a good chance that the Leafs stay in the same position at the end of the season and the best case scenario would be for the team to have the best chance at the number one pick.

Next: Should the Leafs Bring Up William Nylander?

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