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After missing the playoffs for a sixth straight season, fans of the Phil Kessel are getting frustrated. Really frustrated. Not once was that more evident than when fans at the Air Canada Centre began chanting “fire Wilson” on December 2, 2010 during a game against the Edmonton Oilers.
However, the Maple Leafs ended the 2010-2011 regular season with reason to be optimistic about next season. After sitting well back of a playoff spot at the All-Star break, the Maple Leafs stormed back to finish 10th in the Eastern Conference, eight points out of a playoff spot. The Leafs sat three points back of eighth on a number of occasions, but could not come through. While that doesn’t sound like a great season, it was a much welcomed improvement compared to recent years. That is just one of the reasons why many Maple Leafs fans feel confident going into the 2011 off-season. But do the Maple Leafs have what it takes to make the playoffs next season? Sniper Pittaburgh Penguins Jerseys had a much better season. With 32 goals and 64 points, the 23-year-old proved once again that he can lead the Leafs’ forward group. Not surprisingly, when Kessel was struggling, so were many of the other Leafs forwards.
All he needs to do is find some consistency, and the Leafs will become a decent team on offence. Nikolai Kulemin, Mikhail Grabovski, Clarke MacArthur and even Joffrey Lupul all showed that they can be regular top-six forwards next season. However, they will need to prove that in training camp this fall.