December Forecast Not Favorable for Struggling Maple Leafs

by Alan Adams

Filed under: Maple Leafs

December could be the cruelest month of the season for the listing Toronto Maple Leafs.

Two nights after Edmonton Oilers rookie Taylor Hall, the top pick in the NHL Draft last June, lit up Toronto for two goals in a 5-0 victory on Thursday, Leaf fans will get to see Boston freshman Tyler Seguin, the second overall pick, when the Bruins are at the Air Canada Centre on Saturday.

That's two straight looks at a top young player who could be a cornerstone of a rebuilding plan for the fabled Leafs had general manager Brian Burke not sent two first-round picks to Boston for the underachieving Phil Kessel last season.

The visit by the top two picks in the 2010 draft could not come at a worse time for the Leafs.

The loss to the Oilers marked the sixth time this season that Toronto has been shut out, and the Leafs are on pace to be blanked 20 times this season.

 

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