In order for the Toronto Maple Leafs to avoid yet another epic meltdown at any point in their upcoming season, it’s imperative that a level of consistency is finally achieved at both ends of the ice. This is something that the blue and white has struggled with more often than not, resulting in only two playoff appearances since 2004. If the Leafs want to try and turn things around and restore the faith into their disgruntled yet still passionate fan base, the 2014-15 season will have to be career years for more than just a few. Here’s a look at five players that must step up for the Buds during this upcoming season.

5. James Reimer

It may seem odd to put the Leafs’ backup goaltender on this however of players who need to be at the top of their game heading into 2014-14, however given Toronto’s track record of flip flopping between their two goalkeepers night in and night out, Reimer will have to try to figure out his game. Reimer struggled down the stretch yet again last season, finishing 12-16-1-1 with a 3.29 GAA. He was perhaps the main reason why the Leafs experienced such a terrible last 20 games of the season after his partner in crime, Jonathan Bernier, went down due to an injury. If Reimer wants to be forgiven by a very stubborn Leafs Nation, he will have to prove that he is indeed capable of being a solid professional goaltender, and not just a nice guy.

4. Tyler Bozak

Given the fact that Leafs still haven’t been able to attract a legitimate number one center via trade or free agency to accompany their star wingers in Phil Kessel and James Van Riemsdyk, Bozak needs to figure out a way to elevate his game in order to make sure that the two can duplicate and maybe even better their solid seasons from only a year ago. Although Bozak finished fourth in scoring on the team with 49 points, much of what the top line was able to do last season was orchestrated solely by Kessel and van Riemsdyk. Bozak needs to take his game to the next level if the Leafs want their top line to be one of the most dominate in the Eastern Conference.

3. David Clarkson

After being dubbed Toronto’s most promising acquisition last offseason, Clarkson did absolutely nothing but disappoint. In 60 games for the Leafs last season, Clarkson put up a forgettable and meaningless 11 points while going a dismal -14 on the season. Hardly the stats line that any fan of the Leafs thought they were going to see after he scored 30 goals for the New Jersey Devils in 2011-12 and 15 in the shortened 48-game season of 2012-13. If Clarkson doesn’t begin to find the net on a regular basis this upcoming season, he will find himself being traded for nothing more than a bag of pucks come the trade deadline, and rightfully so.

2. Dion Phaneuf

After signing Phaneuf to a hefty contract extension on the eve of the 2014 Winter Classic in Ann Arbor, MI, the Leafs front office were putting all of their cards in who they thought was going to be the leader of their club for the foreseeable future. The once very physical, heavy-hitting and dominate defenseman saw his game plummet to an all-time low as the Leafs quickly found themselves out of the Eastern Conference playoff race. Phaneuf will somehow need to figure out a way to regain the respect of his teammates, newbies included, if he wants a taste of playoff hockey as a member of the Leafs once again. If he doesn’t, the club could be forced to start from scratch at the backend, as a lack of leadership and overall pride for being a Toronto Maple Leaf will begin to show as Phaneuf’s top characteristics as a player.

1. Jonathan Bernier

When all is said and done, on an unpredictable team such as the 2014-15 Maple Leafs, a lot is going to fall on the shoulders of their starting goaltender. Before having to forfeit much of his presence during the last quarter of the season due to injury, Bernier was enjoying a very solid performance in his first year as a Maple Leaf. Bernier finished with a respectable 26-19-7-1 record to go with a 2.68 GAA. He didn’t receive much help either, as the Leafs were the worst in the entire NHL, giving up an average of 35.9 shots per game. With a quiet leader in Phaneuf playing directly in front of him, and a relatively unpolished group of players completing the roster, Bernier may very well be the Leafs’ last hope in finding a way to make it to the playoffs in 2014-15.