mike13

i don't see it as being very unreasonable, the move from defense to offense is not nearly as bad as the move from offense to defense. look at it this way:

kaberle is an offensive defenseman. lately he has not been good on defense. he is good at offense. why not put him on offense? why not make him a defensive forward? (try saying that 10 times fast)

it makes sense. i also think don cherry mentioned that kaberle should be a forward last series also with ottawa. i have been saying it all year.

look at kaberle when he breaks out of his zone, its amazing, he knows what to do with the puck when he has it. in the past years he has come up with some pretty big goals and assists. why not make him do it on a consistent basis? put him on a winger with someone who knows how to shoot, like newy. i just want to see quinn do it for one game and i'll be happy.

i think now is a better time than ever to experiment a bit. especially in this series, when his defensive weakness is really showing against the bigger flyers.

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GO LEAFS GO!
6 DOWN, 10 TO GO

Newfie John

I'd like to see it, but he has to shoot the friggin puck.

Jason

he does pass the puck a lot, but when he shoots he usually misses the net like most of the Leafs seem to do an awful lot.

Leafer Madness

This has been an idea for quite a bit in the playoffs sending Kaberle to play forward. I think that he could be a good playmaker up there.

snail

Instead of a defensive forward though, why not just a regular forward that is defensively responsible.

If you tell him to be a defensive forward, he won't feel comfortable using his creativity up front. He'll be in the same position he is now, that every mistake he makes, could create a good scoring chance against. Up front it's not quite the same. Mistakes have less of a chance at costing you. I think he would respond to that freedom in a big way.

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I think that's something you should do first during the regular season. Toronto is not done yet.

goleafsgo24

i like the idea.. but in the playoffs??? im not sure if that would ever happen. but then we could but Belak in or maybe Johanson

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The Insider

I agree, playoffs are not the time to be experimenting with inexperienced guys playing new positions.

And I counted at least 3 times the guy could've shot last night and he elected to either pass or fake, what is the deal, is he afraid we'll all laugh at his shot or something???

proudtobecanadian

When your team is down 2 games to none, you have to try something to get back in it, I say try him on a line with Mogilny, or better yet Nolan if he returns. Both are snipers and could benefit from a playmaker.

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The Insider

We are not in desparation mode yet, if we can take game 3 we can come back. Kaberle has never played forward at the professional level and starting him in a physical series where any mistake could be costly is not the best move we can do. If we're going to try him forward wait till next fall, doing it now would not only be disasterous but I'm pretty sure Quinn doesn't want to lose his job over it.

proudtobecanadian

I'd say we are in desperation mode. We can't lose the next game to Philly, because the Flyers are to good to beat 4 straight. We need to do something to get this team going and if Nieuwendyk or Nolan can't return for game 2, I say give Kaberle a chance at forward and replace him with Berehowsky on defense. That will give us another tough defenseman. I don't think the physical play of this series would bother Kaberle if he's moved up to forward. You have to be more physical and better defensively when you're a defenseman.

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