| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Guest9340 |
Posted - 07/03/2011 : 17:51:33
I love what Burke has done so far...can't believe how he's turned this team around since he has taken over.
Adding Connolly and now Lombardi and Parsons Franson. If both Connolly and Lombardi can stay healthy, they add 2 top 6 to the mix, and from what ive heard - Parsons Franson is a promising, big young defensmen who can move the puck pretty well, and is also a very physical presence at 6'5...
My question is, what will the lineup look like...?
Ironically enough what they were laking of a couple days ago, they now have too many of.
Centres:
Connolly, Grabovski, Kadri (assuming he will finally crack the lineup), Lombardi and Bozak. Colbourne may also have a shot. Tim Brent also took some draws regularly last season.
Who do you think Burke will move from this groupe?
They have some great depth at D and in all hopes Reimer will be playing like he did last year, their goaltending is stable.
List what you would open up as your starting roster, and what other moves you think will come from the Leafs before the season starts.
I predict they will finish 7th in the East
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| 35 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
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Posted - 07/15/2011 : 05:50:20
quote:
Originally posted by Beans15
Great comparison Slozo. I stand corrected. Liles has outperformed Kaberle in a few season.
I believe it is far to say that Liles would be a great offensive comparison to Kaberle, but that still doesn't add to the offense in Toronto. I makes them comparable, no???
Or are we expecting a number of players to meet or beat their career bests???
Well, it's a bit more complicated, as you know, than addition and subtraction. Dynamics change, players have slightly different roles, and some play better with others.
Look at Phaneuf's numbers after Kaberle left (much better)
Look at the Leafs power play after Kaberle left (virtually unchanged)
Liles is not a Kaberle type player, IMHO . . . from what I remember of him on Colorado. He is probably not quite the outlet passer that Kaberle is (maybe he'll get there one day), but certainly shoots more, and has a better point shot. And he's not as shy as Kaberle to take his man in the corner or use his body or block shots. I realise he's no Pronger, but you get my drift.
So all that being said, for the Leafs Defence (with a capital D) was our big problem. And for the start of this season, we have lost our two least defensively responsible / physical guys (Kaberle and Lebda) and replaced them with a huge, physical d-man who can contribute offensively (Franson) and B+ offensive defenceman who isn't too soft in his own end (Liles).
And all that, with the combination of Aulie the rookie looking like he will also eat up a good amount of minutes. means that potentially last year's defensive goat (Komisarek) will either sit out, or have to play his way back in the top 6 (meaning, he will be the asset he should be in the first place).
All that, to me, looks awesome compared to last year.
"Take off, eh?" - Bob and Doug |
| Guest4086 |
Posted - 07/14/2011 : 12:39:14
if Lupul can stay healthy all season then you potentially have two 30 goal scorers on the top line. i know he's never hit the 30 goal mark before but he's come close or been on pace a bunch of times. and at 27 years old, there's no reason (barring injuries) why he can't get there.
he scored 9 in 28 games for the Leafs last season. that's a 26 goal pace. i can see him keeping that pace this year.
and if that top line clicks all season, I can see Kessel pushing the 40 goal mark.
and if Grabovski's line does what they did last year, then you have two lines of solid offense. mind you not cream of the crop offense like Vancouver or Washington, but enough to be competitive for a playoff spot.
add in a hopefully improved PP with Liles, Connolly, and a full season of Kadri......it's looking pretty good. |
| Beans15 |
Posted - 07/14/2011 : 11:27:10
Great comparison Slozo. I stand corrected. Liles has outperformed Kaberle in a few season.
I believe it is far to say that Liles would be a great offensive comparison to Kaberle, but that still doesn't add to the offense in Toronto. I makes them comparable, no???
Or are we expecting a number of players to meet or beat their career bests??? |
| Guest4312 |
Posted - 07/14/2011 : 10:23:11
being an avs fan i like liles much more than kaberle .... but in beans' defense liles has played on a high scoring offensive team his entire career.... sakic, forsberg, duchene, stastny.... etc. the only leaf i can think of in the same category as those players that kaberle played with would be sundin |
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Posted - 07/14/2011 : 10:13:56
Just to add to Beans comment on "Liles has never outperformed Kaberle in any year"
They are different ages, and at different stages of their career. Comparing them together year by year, up until last year which was season #6 for Liles, here's how they stack up:
Rookie Season
Kaberle - 4g, 18a, 22 pts.
Liles - 10g, 24a, 34 pts
Outperformed bigtime, no matter which way you cut it - goals, assists, points, and assuredly, hits and blocked shots, lol. LILES
2nd Year
Kaberle - 7g, 33a, 40 pts
Liles (after lock-out season spent in minors) - 14g, 35a, 59 pts.
Kaberle's at a good level already, but a monster performance by Liles to outperform at every level ONCE AGAIN. LILES
3rd Year
Kaberle - 6g, 39a, 45 pts.
Liles - 14g, 30a, 44 pts.
Almost dead even in points, with Liles more of a goal scorer. I'd have taken Liles at this point, but we'll call it even. TIE
4th Year
Kaberle - 10g, 29a, 39 pts (69 gp)
Liles - 6g, 26a, 32 pts
We'll give this one to Kaberle here. Kaberle
5th Year
Kaberle - 11g, 36a, 47 pts
Liles - 12g, 27a, 39 pts
Because of the amount of assists that Kaberle has comparitively, we'll give it to him. KABERLE
6th Year
Kaberle - 3g, 28a, 31 pts (71 gp)
Liles - 6g, 25a, 31 pts (59 gp)
Looks like a saw-off, except that Liles got the same number of points in 12 less games. Advantage . . . LILES
7th Year
Kaberle - 9g, 58a, 67 pts
Liles - 6g, 40a, 46 pts
Kaberle's career year, so he takes that year easily . . . KABERLE
That's three of 7 first years that each has played where Liles outperforms Kaberle, and one tied year.
If you want to try to back up your statement the "unfair" way (IMHO) - by comparing year by year . . . yes, Kaberle has one more point last year, and the year before that also out-pointed Liles.
But three years ago, Liles had 12g, 27a, 39 pts in 75gp; Kaberle had 4g, 27a, 31 pts in 57 gp. Pro-rated, you might say it's close, even or Kaberle slightly ahead . . . but Liles did get more points.
And in the 03/04 season, Liles' rookie year, he certainly outperformed Kaberle, I think:
Liles - 10g, 24a, 34 pts in 79 gp
Kaberle - 3g, 28a, 31 pts in 71 gp
Now . . . who knows how Liles will do here. He has certainly been quite consistent, especially as a pretty offensive defenceman; and he scores more goals than Kaberle, in general.
But we were already doing just fine without Kaberle anyway (better, in fact, since it seemed to really boost Phaneuf's confidence, and made us defensively sounder).
I am actually really loving how this Leafs defence looks . . . strange as that sounds after the years we've just had. We'll just have to see if paper translates into reality! 
"Take off, eh?" - Bob and Doug |
| Pasty7 |
Posted - 07/12/2011 : 11:14:20
I think a point to highlight that Slozo made aswell, is Grabovski is what 26 years old? Slozo you can correct me i'm just guessing, McCarthur is what 25 ? and Kulimen is what 23? Why is everyone so sure they will not repeat last years performance ? seems like they re all at an age that is very good to break out and maintain, i would not be surprised if they all put up 60 point seasons again next year or damn close,
But i think beans is right as improved as the leafs are teams like the habs and the Leafs are going to be fighting for the Final few playoff spots with Carolina right down to the final days of the season
"I led the league in "Go get 'em next time." - Bob Uecker
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Posted - 07/12/2011 : 10:19:52
quote:
Originally posted by nuxfan
quote:
I want you know to do some research, and pick out from the other 29 teams which ones had a second line that scored more than 80 goals in total last season.
just a quick thought....I would argue that if your second line had that many more goals than your "first" line, then they are no longer your second line. Its a bit misleading to boast about a tremendous second line when your first line did relatively little.
Are you sure that those 3 players were your second line all year long? TOR did a lot of line juggling and mixing things up when it wasn't going well, and only seemed to settle on actual lines (and keeping that group together) near the latter third of the season.
Also consider that PP points help your stats, when you are no longer playing on a "line". A good example is Kesler (who you highlighted) - had a great year statistically and makes the second line look great, but got a boatload of points (and probably 2/3 of his goals) playing on the first PP unit with the Sedins, and not on the second line.
Yes, second line was quite intact most of the year, as much as a second line could be with a first line that struggled at times.
First line had Kessel all year (32 goals), and a combo of Versteeg (before he was dealt) - 14 goals; Lupul, for much of the time on the wing after we got him (9 goals); and Kadri for a bit when he was up (3 goals) - plus Bozak most of the time at centre (15 goals). That's about 70 odd goals, give or take.
Yes, there is a lot of juggling. No, it's not exact - no one said it was. Yes, often times it was as if the second line was the first line, and I can say that for a third of the season, they were probably considered the first line. Yes, players on the second line play the first power play unit sometimes.
Still doesn't take away my point about Toronto's second line being quite good.
Now, the year before, sure - Grabo was a marginal second liner; MacArthur would have been put in the same boat, maybe worse; and Kulemin would have been put in the category of a good young player who looks to be developing into a top 6 guy. So yes, things did change after last year.
But things change all the time, and often last year's bum is this year's great player. And especially on a hockey poolie site like this - where I must assume we all love our hockey pools, and are always looking for an edge on deciding who is going to have a big year, and who is going down - we have to rapidly change our expectations, based on performance.
I now expect Grabovski to hit 55 points or more, playing with the same guys all year hopefully. I expect Kulemin to get at least 25 goals, if not 30 again (don't think he's peaked yet, but could take a small step back, who knows). MacArthur is the trickiest to predict, but I'll say if healthy, he should get 40, 45 points.
Those are all solid second line guys, on almost any team in today's NHL.
"Take off, eh?" - Bob and Doug |
| Guest4312 |
Posted - 07/12/2011 : 10:17:49
it would be hilarious if the jets finished higher than the leafs |
| Beans15 |
Posted - 07/12/2011 : 10:04:41
I don't agree the Leafs will do worse than last year but I also don't think the make the playoffs. Not based on their play but based more so on the other teams that improved. If I look at the East today, I put Washington,Philly, Boston and Pittsburgh as the top 4 pretty easily. That is assuming Crosby and Malkin both start the season healthy. If they are not healthy, Pitt is still a top 8 team. Pitt was a top 10 offensive team and the 2nd best defensive team based on GF/GA and that doesn't disappear over night. They are going into this season with virtually the same team that finished tied for 3rd in the NHL last season.
I would also put like NYR and BUF (both who were playoff teams last year and made substantial improvements to their teams) as nearly sure things for the playoffs.
That leaves 2 spots for Tampa, Montreal, Carolina, Toronto, New Jersey, and Winnipeg who are the teams I would put in a group fighting for a playoffs spot. I would also take a risk on putting the Islanders in that group, but I am not sold on them yet.
Ottawa and Florida are the only two teams that are on the outside looking in.
So, considering that, I don't see TO as the best team or one of the best 2 out of that group. I would put Tampa, New Jersey, and Montreal ahead of Toronto. |
| nuxfan |
Posted - 07/12/2011 : 09:55:07
quote:
I want you know to do some research, and pick out from the other 29 teams which ones had a second line that scored more than 80 goals in total last season.
just a quick thought....I would argue that if your second line had that many more goals than your "first" line, then they are no longer your second line. Its a bit misleading to boast about a tremendous second line when your first line did relatively little.
Are you sure that those 3 players were your second line all year long? TOR did a lot of line juggling and mixing things up when it wasn't going well, and only seemed to settle on actual lines (and keeping that group together) near the latter third of the season.
Also consider that PP points help your stats, when you are no longer playing on a "line". A good example is Kesler (who you highlighted) - had a great year statistically and makes the second line look great, but got a boatload of points (and probably 2/3 of his goals) playing on the first PP unit with the Sedins, and not on the second line. |
| n/a |
Posted - 07/12/2011 : 04:58:21
quote:
Originally posted by 99pickles
Bluntly, here's my take on their roster and their prospects for next season:
This team is not going to make the playoffs and they will do worse than they did last season.
Although they have a good set of D, they have an inexperienced goalie tandem and they have a list of forwards that would not be in any other team's Top 6 forwards except for Kessel. As a matter of fact, this list of forward lines looks more like an AHL team than an NHL team. Seriously, they are counting on some help from a guy that just took off a whole season and apparently still isn't 100%!
This squad is doomed, possibly for last place. 
You just lost a lot of cred with this post, dude.
And that comment is not because of your prediction to miss the playoffs and do worse than last year - that is, of course, always possible - but your commentary on their forward group.
I want you know to do some research, and pick out from the other 29 teams which ones had a second line that scored more than 80 goals in total last season.
Not even Vancouver, with Kesler and his 41, had 80 goals on the second line. Go ahead, keep looking.
Yes, they were all career years for Grabovski, Kulemin and MacArthur . . . but for Kulemin, he is a young guy who has improved his stats three years running - who is to say that last year was his peak? I'm not saying that he is going to be an 80 point player - I really doubt that - but 70 points is not out of the question for me. Grabovski always had the potential, and last year he really broke out and showed what he could do . . . who is to say he doesn't repeat or improve, especially with the same linemates, all of them even more familiar with each other than at the start of last year?
Yeah, Connolly is a health question mark, and he is not guaranteed to mesh with Kessel. Well, that's the same for any new players on any team, no matter how great. Is Lupul a legitimate first liner? No, probably not . . . but as I predicted, I don't think he will be, and I think Kadri might get the chance to work his way onto the top line. He's got the speed and the skill to play with Kessel, we just have to wait and see if he can put it all together on a consistent basis to be a true-blue NHLer that belongs in the top 6.
And on young, building teams, you are going to have maybe one, two, even three guys for your top 6 offensive forwards that are question marks.
But to say they are depending on Lombardi, when guys like me don't even project him in the lineup . . . and to say only Kessel is a top 6 guy after a year where the Leafs literally had one of the best and most productive 2nd lines in the entire NHL (like I said, look up the stats) is ridiculous.
Again, we can't predict the future with certainty, and some guys are bound to improve a bit, some are bound to fall down a bit - that is normal. But to assume that the entire second line will suddenly fall flat on its face for no apparent reason, especially when the top line has been upgraded significantly, is just a poor prediction.
99Pickles - I am calling you out. What's the team you cheer for (can't remember) and who is on their second line? Give me names.
"Take off, eh?" - Bob and Doug |
| Pasty7 |
Posted - 07/11/2011 : 20:47:17
quote:
Originally posted by 99pickles
Bluntly, here's my take on their roster and their prospects for next season:
This team is not going to make the playoffs and they will do worse than they did last season.
Although they have a good set of D, they have an inexperienced goalie tandem and they have a list of forwards that would not be in any other team's Top 6 forwards except for Kessel. As a matter of fact, this list of forward lines looks more like an AHL team than an NHL team. Seriously, they are counting on some help from a guy that just took off a whole season and apparently still isn't 100%!
This squad is doomed, possibly for last place.
Connolly isn`t in the top six on any other team? 30 goal scorers in Kulimen and Grabovski are not top six forwards on any other team? wow some of these teams in the league are getting pretty freaking deep if they would have 30 goal scorers on their 3rd and 4th line,,, Mcarthur had what 60 points last year...?? just guessing but of course he s not top six , even Lupul makes the top six on a lot of teams, oh and you don`t think any team in the league would give kadri a shot in there top six? bahhhhhh i will give you this all these players had career years last year but whose to say they do not put up similar numbers next season? now besides Kessel a lot of these players would have trouble makeing the top 3 of say the top 8 teams in the league but are you telling me if Grabovski was still a hab and put up the points he did last year he wouldn`t be in their top 3? bahhhhhhh everyone is saying the leafs trio of Kulimen Grabovski and Mccarthur had career years last year and cannot repeat but why not ... it seems to me 25 years old is a very common age to break out? how old is are those three,,, right around 25 i would say, maybe they`ll be 60 point players for the net 10 years maybe even more.... who to say they drop in production maybe Grabo scores 35 goals and add 40 assist? it could happen
"I led the league in "Go get 'em next time." - Bob Uecker
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| 99pickles |
Posted - 07/11/2011 : 19:55:49
Bluntly, here's my take on their roster and their prospects for next season:
This team is not going to make the playoffs and they will do worse than they did last season.
Although they have a good set of D, they have an inexperienced goalie tandem and they have a list of forwards that would not be in any other team's Top 6 forwards except for Kessel. As a matter of fact, this list of forward lines looks more like an AHL team than an NHL team. Seriously, they are counting on some help from a guy that just took off a whole season and apparently still isn't 100%!
This squad is doomed, possibly for last place. |
| Pasty7 |
Posted - 07/11/2011 : 13:44:35
i think one thing is forsure in the east the after the top 4 flip a coin unfortunatly for my habs and the Leafs i think it is naive to think the Sabres and the Bruins do not have 100 point season, the habs and the leafs will be fighting for 3rd inn the northeast that i think is forsure barring some extreme circustance, the good news for the leafs i think is the habs are a playoff team from last year that did improve a little bit in the offseason and if you compare opening day lineups they are comparable and will battle hard for the spots 5th through 10th, i think the habs are a slightly better team on paper but slightly tends to change when the season starts and players either underperform get injured or break out,
"I led the league in "Go get 'em next time." - Bob Uecker
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Posted - 07/11/2011 : 11:34:17
quote:
Originally posted by Beans15
Slozo, I am not sure why you were telling me about Komisarek. I don't recall talking about him.
Just a few thoughts on your assessment.
1 - Connally will be the Leafs #1 centre, but he has the potential the same as a Shawn Horcoff or a Mike Fisher to be a 1st line centre. He can do it, but he's naturally a #2. It not like this is the guys first few seasons in the league. We all know what he's got.
2 - You are under-estimating Liles putting him at #5 and Franson at #3. Unless those were simply the pairings you were assuming. Also, based on who Liles played with (and was successful with) in COL, I would suggest either Schenn or Komisarek would be in that group. I would also suspect a potential for a Phaneuf/Liles pairing with a shutdown pair or Schenn and Komisarek.
3 - I wouldn't say playoffs are in the cards for sure. I still think this team is fighting to get there at best. 6th-8th is not unreasonable to think but neither is 10th. One has to remember that 4-5 Leafs had career seasons last year. They will not all meet or exceed that again. They are still a little shallow in the scoring department. If MacArther, Kulemin, or Grabovski drop from last season, or Wilson can not find a decent player to skate with Kessel and Connally, or if Connally does not meet the expectations he now has, or if there are any key injuries than this team will miss the playoffs. They are still fighting to be the 2nd best team in the NE.
But, I can very easily say that this team has more potential than any Leaf team in the past 5+ seasons and if there is a Leaf team to make the playoffs, this is the one.
You mentioned Komisarek with this comment:
"4 - This is still a team with names like Lupul in their top 6 forwards and Komisarek in their top 4 defense."
I wouldn't put Komisarek in the Leafs top 4, and neither would most Leaf fans here, and neither would almost any hockey commentator or pundit that I have ever heard so far, with the additions we have right now.
Going by hockey pundits, who I agree with on this point, he's the 7the defenceman.
1) I agree for the most part. Except that, Connolly has never played with a sniper such as Kessel, has he? I don't recall him playing with Vanek before, but I could be wrong. Anyways, I basically agree - it's a workable stop-gap.
2) Liles I just paired up, yeah . . . IMHO, the Leafs top 5 (leaving out Gunnarson) are all fairly even, each with their own strengths, of course, but fairly evenely rated. No big superstars or premier players (Phaneuf has the potential, but isn't there right now), but all very very solid players. I include Aulie in there with that assessment with the caveat that he is, of course, quite young, and will make mistakes of course. But he was an absolute revelation by the end of the season, he is a real gem and has the potential to be a top pairing defenceman with a more offensive guy playing besides him.
3) I would agree with you if Reimer plays mediocre in his sophomore season. But if even projecting a bit of a dip from last year, which is likely, I think the Leafs are in there like a dirty shirt.
It's complicated though. Playoffs means you have to evaluate the other teams . . . and of course, everyone is raving about Buffalo, and saying that the Bruins will win the East again.
But myself, it would be tough for Price to duplicate last year's stellar season. I don't think Buffalo is going to be so much better. And I think Boston will fall back a notch. Out of those three teams in the east . . . I see Toronto beating out one of them for third in the division.
I see the potential for perhaps one or more of Pittsburgh, TB, and one of Montreal, the Rangers or even Buffalo falling out of the playoffs in the east. And I think the only real possibility for teams out of the playoffs last year to make it this year are New Jersey and Toronto, with Carolina having an outside shot.
But certainly, the east is getting tighter. Even with the Leafs getting better and looking very good on paper right now to me . . . it's tough, as many of the "fringe" playoff teams have also improved on paper.
Reimer is the key for Toronto . . . just like the goalie for any team, basically.
"Take off, eh?" - Bob and Doug |
| Guest4086 |
Posted - 07/11/2011 : 10:08:30
Many things will need to happen in order for the Leafs to make the playoffs. But basically it comes down carrying over their play from the 2nd half of last season, and turning into a consistent model of play for this season.
Special teams will need a MAJOR improvement. Hopefully the addition of Liles, and even Connoly, will help the PP. Now we have two guys who will shoot the puck from the point, and not just one. That changes the other teams' PK strategies.
If they are committed to starting Gustavsson in the AHL this year, then they should give consideration to signing Turco as a back up. He'd be a great mentor to Reimer, and would also fill in nicely playing 20 - 25 games. But you gotta figure that if Gustavsson is serious about wanting to continue his career in the NHL, then he's gonna be working hard this off season. It could be an interesting battle in net between these two. |
| Beans15 |
Posted - 07/11/2011 : 08:50:57
Slozo, I am not sure why you were telling me about Komisarek. I don't recall talking about him.
Just a few thoughts on your assessment.
1 - Connally will be the Leafs #1 centre, but he has the potential the same as a Shawn Horcoff or a Mike Fisher to be a 1st line centre. He can do it, but he's naturally a #2. It not like this is the guys first few seasons in the league. We all know what he's got.
2 - You are under-estimating Liles putting him at #5 and Franson at #3. Unless those were simply the pairings you were assuming. Also, based on who Liles played with (and was successful with) in COL, I would suggest either Schenn or Komisarek would be in that group. I would also suspect a potential for a Phaneuf/Liles pairing with a shutdown pair or Schenn and Komisarek.
3 - I wouldn't say playoffs are in the cards for sure. I still think this team is fighting to get there at best. 6th-8th is not unreasonable to think but neither is 10th. One has to remember that 4-5 Leafs had career seasons last year. They will not all meet or exceed that again. They are still a little shallow in the scoring department. If MacArther, Kulemin, or Grabovski drop from last season, or Wilson can not find a decent player to skate with Kessel and Connally, or if Connally does not meet the expectations he now has, or if there are any key injuries than this team will miss the playoffs. They are still fighting to be the 2nd best team in the NE.
But, I can very easily say that this team has more potential than any Leaf team in the past 5+ seasons and if there is a Leaf team to make the playoffs, this is the one. |
| n/a |
Posted - 07/11/2011 : 08:25:31
FYI I edited the Parsons/Franson error in the original post.
I like the additions. Connolly is a big question mark, but for the circumstances, it's probably the best Burke could do at this time and I am fine with that. I do think he is a potential top line guy though, disagree with Beans on that. Still, he is at best a marginal top line guy, so hopefully there is chemistry with Kessel - we'll see. And hopefully he stays healthy.
Komisarek was not even in the top 4 before the additions, Beans - and that was based on his disappointing play. At this point, he'll be life and death to even make the top 6, IMHO. That is awesome news . . . because if he does make it, it means he is back to the guy we thought we signed, and if not, we have a very, very solid top 6 d-squad.
Also to add, Kadri is clearly not going to play center - he was playing wing I think in the minors all last year for the most part, if I recall (from a minor hockey source).
And Lombardi is not going to start the season with the Leafs, but he may join them halfway through the year, best case scenario. Hopefully he recovers, he was a solid player.
Re-signing MacArthur was sooooo key. Very happy about that.
Proposed line-up right now, barring future trades/signs:
FORWARDS
Kessel - Connolly - Lupul / Kadri
Kulemin - Grabovski - MacArthur
Armstrong - Bozak - Lupul / ?
Brown - Boyce - Rosehill
Could potentially make it - Colbourne at 4th line center perhaps, and if/when Lombardi recovers from concussion, he would take out Bozak for sure. Lupul I think fits better on a third line, but if Kadri doesn't impress and make it to the top line, he won't play third line duties, and I am guessing Burke adds another good utility / third line scorer type.
DEFENCE
Phaneuf - Aulie
Franson - Schenn
Liles - Gunnarson
Komisarek
Could potentially make it: Lashoff, and there was another D man I can't think of right now too . . . anyways, the top 6 looks very solid and set, and I don't see any change in the top 6 pairings at all except for injuries, of course. Komisarek looks to be the odd man out, unless he really impresses at camp, in which case he'd really have to push out Gunnarson - who has been nothing but solid for the Leafs, for his role.
GOALTENDING
Reimer
back-up: Gustavsson / ???
Could potentially make it: Scrivens, but unlikely. I am thinking Burke will add an experienced, cheap back-up goaltender . . . I think Gustavsson will be in the minors, frankly. Reimer needs experience behind him in his first full year, and I can't see Burke letting what is basically two rookies/barely sophomores play starter and back-up.
I see playoffs.
"Take off, eh?" - Bob and Doug |
| Pasty7 |
Posted - 07/05/2011 : 16:44:33
quote:
Originally posted by Porkchop73
quote:
Originally posted by nuxfan
quote:
i think the whole season rests on reimer .... if he plays lights out they can make the playoffs anything less and they miss.... if he struggles they are back to square one
Yikes. If the Leaf's whole season rests on the shoulders of a 23 year old goalie with 40 games of NHL experience, then I think the Leafs are in trouble again this year.
Almost like counting on Luongo to show up in the final two games of Stanley Cup finals.
they only got to the final two games of the stanley cup because Luongo shut the bruins out twice
"I led the league in "Go get 'em next time." - Bob Uecker
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| Porkchop73 |
Posted - 07/05/2011 : 16:37:17
quote:
Originally posted by nuxfan
quote:
i think the whole season rests on reimer .... if he plays lights out they can make the playoffs anything less and they miss.... if he struggles they are back to square one
Yikes. If the Leaf's whole season rests on the shoulders of a 23 year old goalie with 40 games of NHL experience, then I think the Leafs are in trouble again this year.
Almost like counting on Luongo to show up in the final two games of Stanley Cup finals. |
| Guest4312 |
Posted - 07/05/2011 : 14:45:55
i agree |
| nuxfan |
Posted - 07/05/2011 : 11:24:48
quote:
i think the whole season rests on reimer .... if he plays lights out they can make the playoffs anything less and they miss.... if he struggles they are back to square one
Yikes. If the Leaf's whole season rests on the shoulders of a 23 year old goalie with 40 games of NHL experience, then I think the Leafs are in trouble again this year. |
| Guest4312 |
Posted - 07/05/2011 : 09:51:18
i think the whole season rests on reimer .... if he plays lights out they can make the playoffs anything less and they miss.... if he struggles they are back to square one |
| Guest5052 |
Posted - 07/05/2011 : 09:11:52
I too am of the view that the Leafs are indeed getting better, and frankly I do expect them to be knocking on the door of the playoffs, but not really being a contending team.
I look at the forwards and still think thats not a great group. That is not to say that the whole cannot be greater than the sum of its parts, plenty of examples of that (Carolina's cup for example). But for that to happen a few things need to happen. Connolly needs to stay healthy and play well with Kessel. Grabovski and Kulemin need to play as well as last year, and I am a little skeptical on this.
The D looks ok to me, Phaneuf needs to play well, and he did towards the end last year.
And Reimer needs to continue with where he left off... for whatever reason, I think he might just do that. Call it a hunch, but I think he'll be a good goalie for Leafs.
As I said the Leafs are building nicely, but there's work to do.
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| Pasty7 |
Posted - 07/05/2011 : 03:45:02
Cody Franson is a great pick up i think what people don't realize is Lombardi is the throw in in this situation,,, Franson is 23 6ft 5 213 lbs if i'm not mistaken has cracked 20 points as a defender on more than one season and is a plus player, the kid has serious potential he is quite mobile for his size and is apparently got a sound work ethic, i wish my team had traded for him,
The reason i say Lombardi is a throw it is because as someone said "he must be healthy if this trade went through" that is wrong in a interview with TSN he said if training camp started today he would not be ready and he is still recovring from post concusion symptons, the Predators have their own Salary cap the owners want them to meet and they can't afford to be paying a player not to play hence why i think he was thrown in, lets not forget he sat out an entire 82 game season and is still not 100% now... that is a long recovery period, this player could never be the same again, he could also play 10 games in the NHL and decide he has to call it a career
"I led the league in "Go get 'em next time." - Bob Uecker
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| Beans15 |
Posted - 07/04/2011 : 20:10:15
quote:
Originally posted by Guest4312
another question to ask yourself: "is it worth throwing everything into this season to get 7th or 8th in the east and destroyed in the playoffs?"
See, I don't see this at all. The Leafs still have a pile of cash and they are slowly (well slower than they could have) piling up some decent young prospects. I think Burke is a smart enough guy to realize this is not a Cup contending team but a team that will now legitimately fight for a playoff spot. Not a sure thing, but a lot further ahead than they were at this time last season. |
| Guest4312 |
Posted - 07/04/2011 : 15:36:48
another question to ask yourself: "is it worth throwing everything into this season to get 7th or 8th in the east and destroyed in the playoffs?" |
| Beans15 |
Posted - 07/04/2011 : 14:04:20
I think the Leafs have improved. Burke is putting pieces in the places he thinks are missing. However, with as much respect to all those Leaf fans out there, make sure you see the forest for trees.
1 - The Leafs still do not have a legitimate 1st line centre. Connolly is an upgrade on virtually every players who the Leafs have had in that role since Sundin left but he's still not #1. He was #2 behind Roy in Buffalo. He is 30 yrs old and his absolute best season was 65 points. Even through last season which was relatively healthy for his standards with 68 game played he had 42 points.
2 - Liles is a nice players but is he really a large step up on Tomas Kaberle??? Liles has not outproduced Kaberle once in the past and Colorado has had a better offensive team in most of those years.
3 -Reimer is a goalie with 30 NHL games worth of experience. He could tank. There are also questions out on Lombardi who played only 2 games last season due to a concussion. Obviously he is no longer injured or the trade would not have happened. However, he is player who had one really good season and a number of decent seasons. He is a legitimate #2 centre but not much more.
4 - This is still a team with names like Lupul in their top 6 forwards and Komisarek in their top 4 defense.
I would think the Leafs push harder for a playoff spot this year than they have in the past. However, looking at the team who did make the playoffs last season in the east, who disgressed??? Washington and Philly were both the cream of the East during the regular season last year and both have improved on paper. Boston is still very strong, Pitts very dangerous is Malkin and Crosby are healthy, Tampa Bay is not longer surprising people with how good they are. Buffalo has improved with their FA pick-ups and New York will be very dangerous with Richards in the line up.
The only team who made the playoffs last year that I can see TO competing with would be Montreal. Further, The Islandes improved and New Jersey is still a very good team who had a horrible start to the year last year.
I am not ready to make any bets yet as there are still moves happening, but at this point I see Toronto between 8th and 11th in the East. There are too many good teams in front of them. |
| Guest2712 |
Posted - 07/04/2011 : 11:39:27
I don't see them re-signing MacArthur. i say Kadri on the 2nd line and Lombardi on the 3rd.
and they have to find a way to keep Aulie in the starting six. he was fantastic last year!
but on the same note, I don't think Burke is done. more trades should be coming. |
| Guest4312 |
Posted - 07/04/2011 : 10:15:34
with respect to how much better other teams in the east got (islanders, panthers, rangers, sabres) and the perrenial contenders (boston, philly, pittsburgh, washington, tampa, montreal) .......... NEEDLESS to say the leafs won't be making the playoffs anytime soon |
| Pasty7 |
Posted - 07/04/2011 : 09:09:03
Lombardi isn't sure the start the season with post concussion, its still up in the air,,, he could recover in time he may not,, my guess is opening day the Buds are without Lombardi which isn't a bad thing he is a hell of a player maybe give him conditioning stink in the minors,, he did miss an entire season...
"I led the league in "Go get 'em next time." - Bob Uecker
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| Leafs81 |
Posted - 07/04/2011 : 06:50:21
Ok now that we got all that cleared up lets make the starting lineup.
Lupul, Connolly, Kessel
Kulemin, Grabovski, MacArthur (RFA) \ Lombardi
Armstrong, Bozak (RFA), Lombardi \ Kadri
Brown, Rosehill, Orr
*They need to sign Crabb and Boyce (both UFA's) to add depth on the fourth line and get a fourth line center. There's also questions with if MacArthur will resign and if Lombardi can be healthy and ready for training camp. They also need to give a contract to Bozak. They still have Caputi and Colborne that can step up to fill in for injuries.
Phaneuf, Liles
Schenn (RFA), Gunnarson
Franson, Komisarek
*They need to give a contract to Schenn, and they still have Aulie and Finger to work with.
Reimer
Gustavsson
*Scrivens might be the go to guy if there's an injury. I still think they should sign a third goalie that could play in the AHL and sit on the bench if there's an injury to either Reimer or Gustavsson.
All that and they have 13 million in cap space. |
| Guest4131 |
Posted - 07/04/2011 : 06:42:22
Yes, it is Franson from NSH and Brent did sign with Car. You should get your story straight.
Now to answer the question...the starting lineup isnt quite done i don't think. but as of now could look something like this:
kessel connolly lupul
grabovski kulemin lombardi
kadri bozak armstrong
brown boyce orr
colbourne
phaneuf komisarek
franson liles
gunarsson schenn
aulie
reimer
gustavsson
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| Pasty7 |
Posted - 07/04/2011 : 05:45:51
quote:
Originally posted by Guest7321
first off tim brent signed in carolina, who the hell is parsons? last time i checked they got franson.
awful post.
yeah,,, i was gonna say
"I led the league in "Go get 'em next time." - Bob Uecker
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| Guest7321 |
Posted - 07/03/2011 : 19:00:19
first off tim brent signed in carolina, who the hell is parsons? last time i checked they got franson.
awful post. |
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