Road to respectability

I laid it out on Leafbuzz last night....

(warning: not for the skeptical at heart)

Jonas Gustavsson will help the Leafs rise from the depths of despair. The question is: how far down the pit of embarrassment will this club be when the Monster finally, officially becomes it's savior? What'll most likely happen is a staggered climb back to the .500 mark, a process made easier if the Leafs can will themselves to a few dubyas on the upcoming road trip. In order for this movement to be successful, the Leafs' deficit cannot grow much beyond where it is right now... down 7, with really, about 3 weeks' worth of catching up to do. I don't believe its impossible for Gustavsson to be back in net and the sole guy guarding that gaping hole by the end of November. His play should inject some life, and more importantly confidence, into a club which to that point would have mostly been lifeless and without confidence, along the way stealing a game here and there. The process, prompted by hard work, luck and a wee bit of help from the hockey Gods, would be strengthened by Gustavsson's presence, a new attitude and ultimately the addition of a new "talent". Finally. The arrival of Phil Kessel, a true sniper, a game-breaker, a game-changer should assist in vaulting the Leafs, a team on the ascension anyway, to a place it hasn't seen for some time now: the .500 mark. If all goes according plan (yes, wacky, improbable but not impossible), all should be content again in Leafland by December. Of course, by then we'll have something new Leafs related to revolve our lives around.