Forgive Toronto Maple Leafs fans if they are thinking championship after hiring three-time Stanley Cup champion and Hall of Famer Brendan Shanahan as team president.But hope is a necessary panacea for a fan base that hasnt celebrated a Stanley Cup championship since 1967, and watched the Maple Leafs miss the playoffs in a drama-filled 2013-14 season, finishing 12th in the Eastern Conference and sixth in the Atlantic Division.And Shanahan sold hope in his introductory press conference April 14.I do like a lot about this group, Shanahan said. From an outsider looking in, there are some pieces that a lot of teams would covet. There are some great aspects to this team.I recognize what it could potentially be like (to win the Stanley Cup) in Toronto. This is the time for me to start learning about the organization from top-to-bottom. Its time for me to listen, to learn and to get to work.With the Leafs set to open the season at home against the Montreal Canadiens on Oct. 8, here are some things to keep in mind:ANALYTICAL ERA: One of the trends that gained popularity within NHL circles in recent years has been the growth of analytics. Following a 2013-14 season in which they were among the leagues weaker puck possession teams, the Maple Leafs became the latest NHL team to implement analytics into its analysis. Toronto hired Kyle Dubas, the general manager of the Ontario Hockey Leagues Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, to serve as assistant general manager. The Leafs also hired Cam Charron, Darryl Metcalf and Rob Pettapiece to serve as analysts in the hockey research and development department.Analytics is a big part of (Dubas) skillset, general manager Dave Nonis told a radio station. Kyle (is) a hockey guy who understands the analytical side of it.DEFENSIVELY DEFICIENT: Another weakness for the Leafs last season was their play in the defensive end. Toronto ranked 26th and 28th, respectively, in goals against average (3.07) and penalty kill success rate (78.4 per cent).So in an attempt to fix what was broken, Randy Carlyle and his coaching staff spent time during training camp and the preseason implementing a modified defensive system, in which opposing point men will be pressured.Theyll get it, Carlyle said. As a coaching staff, you pick your poison on the things that youre going to shove at the players and I guarantee every coach is shoving defensive zone coverage.WHOS IN GOAL?: The acquisition of Jonathan Bernier from Los Angeles on June 23, 2013, severed as the precursor to a season-long soap opera over which goalie was and should be the Leafs No. 1, the former King or James Remier. Bernier had a 2.68 GAA and .923 save percentage in 55 games, while Reimer finished with a 3.29 GAA and .911 save percentage.So Bernier is the No. 1 goalie, right?Not so fast.We cant ignore what (Bernier) did for our hockey club (last season), Carlyle said. Simple as that. We cant ignore what James Reimers done for our hockey club (in his career). The question (is) going to be: Whos No.1 and is he clear cut?Right now Im going to say its 1A and 1B.BLOOMING GARDINER: Over the course of last season, there was a great deal of speculation regarding Jake Gardiners future with the Maple Leafs despite the defenceman ranking second among Toronto blueliners with 31 points. The conjecture was quieted in the off-season as Toronto and Gardiner agreed to a five-year, $20.25 million deal. I am happy to be a Leaf for a really long time, Gardiner told a reporter after the contract was signed. It shows the Leafs have a lot of faith in me.BREAKING UP FOR THE BETTER?: Carlyle raised antennas early in training camp when he mused about the possibility of moving left wing James van Riemsdyk off of Phil Kessels line. The duo combined for 67 goals, 74 assists and 141 points last season. So what is the benefit in breaking them up?Were going to try to create a different look in our forward group, Carlyle told reporters. We have nine forwards that can provide us a decent amount of offence. Are we going to be able to create three balanced scoring lines? Cheap Authentic Jerseys . The Vancouver coach and an announced sellout crowd of 18,910 watched in dismay as the Canucks lost 7-4 to the New York Islanders on Monday night by squandering a 3-0 lead in the third period. Custom Jerseys . The biggest shock of this seasons competition was on when Watford took a 2-0 lead after 30 minutes at Etihad Stadium, only for a remarkable Aguero-led comeback by City in the final half-hour. The Argentina striker produced clinical finishes in the 60th and 79th minutes to level the score before Aleksandar Kolarov put City in front in the 87th. https://www.cheapjerseysjustwholesale.com/. Old times for a defence that has looked just plain old recently? "No," safety Ryan Clark said. "We used to be much better than that. Cheap Jerseys .One day after winning her record 63rd World Cup race, Vonn posted to her Facebook account Tuesday that she was happy Woods surprised her by coming to the race, and that she felt terrible that his tooth got knocked out. Nike Jerseys . Next week, hell try to add to the list. A Stanley Cup champion as a rookie, Seguin followed that up by becoming the youngest player to lead the Boston Bruins in scoring.CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Wendell Scott has been elected to the NASCAR Hall of Fame as voters honoured the sports first black driver to win a race in whats now the Sprint Cup series. Also honoured Wednesday were one of NASCARs most popular champions, Bill Elliott, along with two-time series champ Joe Weatherly, 1960 champion Rex White and 26-time race winner Fred Lorenzen. Scott competed in NASCARs top series from 1961-73.dddddddddddd. He won his only race at Speedway Park in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1963, winning the 100-mile feature after starting 15th. Scott started 495 Sprint Cup events and had a 147 top 10 finishes. Elliott was the 1988 Sprint Cup champion and his 44 race victories rank 16th in NASCAR history. Series matriarch Anne Bledsoe France was honoured with the inaugural Landmark Award. ' ' '