Toronto Maple Leafs: 5 Bold prediction heading into the 2019-20 season

Leafs finally end Stanley Cup drought

Every year we can say the Leafs winning the Stanley Cup is a bold prediction but you have to think they are on the cusp.

After signing Tavares, the hype around the team certainly changed when you looked at the pieces the team has from top to bottom. There are still some who are skeptical about whether Mike Babcock can make the right decisions when it comes to playing his top players in the post-season but now it’s up to the players to get the team over the hump.

When you look at the additions and subtractions you can say losing Nazem Kadri and Jake Gardiner were tough losses. But looking at what Tyson Barrie, Rasmus Sandin and the depth options that were brought in, Toronto has tried their best to cover up their deficiencies.

There was only so much Ron Hainsey and Nikita Zaitsev could do in their roles and while they were good foot soldiers for Babcock, you can’t say you’d take them over Barrie and Cody Ceci. One uncertainty, obviously, is whether they have the cap space and resources to make a deal at the trade deadline but we also know that Dubas tries to do his work ahead of time.

As long as Andersen is able to stay relatively healthy and not overworked and the players given the big paydays are able to step up when called upon, this team can easily play with the best teams in the league.

What are your expectations for the Leafs heading into the season? Do you think they can go all the way? Let us know in the comments below.