Well, it's only pre-season hockey, so it's not as if it is any sort of gold-standard.
That said, I am trying to make some sense of the predictions by analysts in Toronto of the team not being as great a disaster as last year, not really likely to end up dead last in the league -- and comparing that, frankly, optimistic outlook to the likely roster and what we've seen through the pre-season.
The only improvement in the team over last year is behind the bench. And with this group, I don't think it's enough to even move the needle.
I am left with this conclusion: the Leafs will place 26-30th in the league overall. The current squad is hopeless; indeed, it's only real hope is being carefully kept off of the roster to labor in the AHL (a plan I happen to agree with, btw). The malaise that afflicted the team last year shows little sign of abating. Yes, Babcock is a better coach and if he wants to get rid of a player, that player shall be got rid of to the extent possible in this cap-strapped league. But Babcock also has eight years ahead of him and while that gives him clout, it also supports a plan that seems to be to just lose, lose, lose in 2015-16.
Whether it is going to be a #tanknation by design or merely by result, I see no reason, absolutely no reason at all for optimism at this stage. Next year? Sure. But this year? No.
Lose early and often is exactly what this Leafs team is likely to do.