Goaltending- Andrew Raycroft, has been on my list of do not moves all off season, and it is good to see that after an onslaught of speculation on his movement to places like Chicago, Phoenix and LA that Andrew is staying a Maple Leaf for at least a few months. I know with the acquisition of Toskola and his relatively large contract it seems that the starting position is all but filled in Toronto. I however, think that a platoon between Vesa and Raycroft, having the two goalies push one another, is hands down the best system this team can offer at the moment, as both goaltenders have yet to claim the number spot in my opinion. This is of course against the better nature of Paul M as he showed both in Carolina and Toronto thus far that he is a one horse pony racer. Paul road both Raycroft and Irbe to exceed game limits they should or shouldn’t have exceeded. The point being, Paul doesn’t seem like the platooning kind of coach and if that is the case again this season, I think my faith in Paul will greatly diminish. Handing over a #1 goalie position without any competition is stupid, declaring a goalie is safe and a #1 guy who isn’t considered an elite tender in this league, is stupid, you should always make a goalie feel that he has to give his best every night or he is benched the next game, keeps them on their toes. Anyway so long as Andrew doesn’t play at home he should put up great numbers for the Leafs this season.
Defence- This is incredibly deep and I will walk us through it man by man:
Kaberle- Proved last season that he can be thought of as an all-star defenseman, and, as proven by my Kaberle a top-five defensemen in the NHL thread, he may not be in the top 5 for sure, but it isn’t ridiculous to think that he may be a top five guy in the league. And it is always great to have a player who can play over half the game if needed to. Kaberle has flirted with the top defensemen for most points by defensemen for the last two seasons and I can see him there again this season without a doubt.
McCabe- Proved he is one of the best offensive defensemen in the NHL yet again, and over the last two seasons McCabe has, at one time or another, lead the NHL for defensive points. McCabe is another potential all-star defenseman similar in Kaberle in that he can play half the game, but should not do this too often as he tends to make glaring mistakes when he plays with too much ice-time.
Kubinia- Kubinia has proven throughout his career that he is one of the best two-way defensemen in the NHL. He is large, plays good positional hockey, also has a great point shot. He is a less defensive, but fast and better passing, version of Zdeno Chara. Meaning once again, when Kubinia is on his game he is another All-Star guy. Kubinia was the defensive stud on the Stanley Cup Lightning team, and his talent seems to stem into the offensive end. Plus if Kubinia can carry over some of his success he had with Kaberle at the end of last season, I think this team has the potential of icing three all-star defensemen next season.
Coliacovo- This kid seems to have it all, he is a good positional guy, has a wicked slapshot, is quick on his feet and a good hitter. He reminds me of McCabe pre-lock out. He has the same hard low shot McCabe has, he has the same positional play McCabe had, and he has an outstanding ability to take the body like McCabe did. The one thing I think Carlo has that McCabe never had was the ability to carry the puck end to end, which Carlo exhibited occasionally last season. I think if Carlo can stay off the IR he will defiantly establish himself a key component to the Maple Leafs’ successes or failures over the course of this, and many other, seasons.
White- He has developed that coveted outlet pass that takes offensive defensemen years to develop if they ever develop it at all. He is an okay positional defenseman, but I don’t see him developing into anything more than a number 5 guy on this or any other team, he will be a power play specialist of course but his lack of size is too much to throw at top lines, he was man handled by players like Jagr and Lecavalier last season and under no circumstances should be on the ice with these types of players any more.
Gill- Now I am a huge fan of Gill, I loved the few times he was paired up with Kubinia on the PK he seemed to have done exceptionally well, but with the youth coming up I would be happier to see Gill play a number 7 or 8 kind of guy on the depth chart. I think he would be a great guy to step in while we are slumping or if a mainstay gets the injury bug, but in the end, for developmental purposes I think that Gill should defiantly step down off the top 6.
Kronwall- Before succumbing to injury two seasons ago, Kronwall made the team and was a mainstay on the Leafs roster. He is a great stay at home kind of guy with punishing hits and fantastic positioning. I think I would play him ahead of Gill this season, as they fill play similar roles and would benefit the Leafs’ in the long run.
Harrison- Came out of camp last season with a job, and JFJ has been quoted as saying that he wouldn’t be surprised if he did so again next season. Once again I may be tempted to place Harrison another hardnose defensive defencemen a head of the likes of Gill of developmental purposes, but right now with the current line-up I doubt he will make the roster, though is defiantly NHL ready guy.
Woznoski(sp)- I thought this guy did a stand up job last season, and the season before as a filler guy when players get hurt. He is a deceptively quick player and he can hit, his positioning is a little off and his potential is weak, so I doubt he is going to be with the big club this season. Though he is definitely and NHL ready guy in my book.
Vorboiev- Really has turned some heads in Russia. From all that I have read, he is a fantastic all around player and can be a key third liner guy or a utility 2nd pairing player depending on a teams need. I would love to see him make the big club, but I just don’t see any room for him. His biggest knock so far is a relative uneasiness about playing in North America, which means if he doesn’t make the Leafs out of camp, he will most likely return to Russia, but for all intents he is another NHL ready defenseman in our system.
Strhalmen- From what I read on hockey futures, he lead the Swedish Elite in ice time and from an article on NHL.com JFJ said that the team Canada management had named him one of the top defensemen in the tournament without any brokering from JFJ himself. As at the World Championship he was on the top Swedish pairing. If he doesn’t make the team out of camp, which he probably won’t, he says he will not play in the AHL and wishes to return to the Swedish Elite.
Now that is another NHL ready defensemen, as the Leafs appear to have no end of depth at that position this season, with 10 NHL ready guys. I say this is one of the best defensive units in the NHL.
Offence- I am going to brake this down as I think the lines will probably go:
Line 1: Antropov-Sundin-Ponikarosky
I know what a lot of you guys are gonna say: Blake is going to play with Sundin. And I will not disagree, at the beginning of the season Blake will play with Snats but as the season progresses, I think we will see a migration for Blake off Sundin’s line so Sundin can play with garbage men like Poni and Antro. As Sundin just needs a player to shovel in his rebounds, where Blake is kind of a do it himself guy. I think this line will consist of three 20-25 goal scorers, and be a solid line of production.
Line 2: Blake-Wellwood-Steen
This is going to be a very flashy line. All three have game breaking abilities and I think Blake’s selfish play will really feed off of Wellwood’s beautiful sight, where Steen can really be the fore checking utility guy who can force the opposing defence to give up the puck and give the other two their necessary chances. I would really expect big numbers from all three goal scoring along the lines of 35-15-20.
Line 3: Tucker-Bell-Kilger
The order of that line doesn’t really matter all three are capable of playing all three positions. This line is a great hitting, forechecking, energy line and I think this line can cause both a lot of hurt and a lot of chances. I think the offence from these guys can be pretty solid so long as they are always forechecking hard and forcing turn overs. Plus both Tucker and Bell will most likely see power play time, I think this line will be a great group for depth scoring.
The fourth line I think is a real toss up, you basically have: Stajan/Pohl/Deaveaux/Newbury/Battaglia/Williams/Earl and Tlusty all fighting for a spot, and I really don’t think it matters which plays as their production is all very similar.
Grades:
Goaltending- B (if they do the tandem this could be an A but since I am sure we have given Toskola the #1 spot already I think a B is all we can expect)
Defence- A (Not quite Anaheim or Detroit, but sure is close)
Offence- C+ (Nothing spectacular, but because of depth I think it won’t be too horrid either)
Key Players: C (We don’t have much for stars outside of Sundin and Kaberle.)
Depth A (With exception to maybe Kaberle and McCabe I think this team can absolve any injuries we face so long as they are in moderation, this team is very deep in all positions.)
Overall- B+ I think we have a chance at home ice advantage this season.
Hope you enjoyed my pre-training camp analysis comments are apprecaited
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No Wade Belak?
Like it or not he is still part of the Leafs system. Although he's not the brightest bulb in the box, he is important. The "new" NHL believes its abolished the fighter, however Janssen proved last season, every team still needs a fighter. He also improved in Maurice's system. He will never log more than 8 minutes, but as long as he keeps his game simple, he is a pretty good player. Plus he's responsable in his own end.
As for your fourth line...
I dont believe we will ever see Tlusty and Sundin play on the same team in competitive games. Although he's a very good player, he still needs time to develop.
Stajan is in my opinion the next shutdown guy in Toronto. Although he lacks the offensive production to make him a top 6 forward, he is still very strong two way player. He's a 15 goal scorer, 35 pt kind of guy, but he's going to be our shutdown guy.
Devereaux was a breath of fresh air last season. He's very fast and again another strong defensive forward. With the new additions at the forward positions, he will get reduced ice time, he will still be an important player.
Pohl averaged 11:21 per game last season. Although he's another guy with good wheels, he's going to play a depth role in the squad.
Battaglia he's another depth player and when injuries come in he's a good fit. He's a career middle man, he's too good for the AHL yet not good enough for the NHL. He's a guy who will come in during injuries and will play about 60 games.
As for Earl and Williams, Earl can skate like the wind but the offensse he displayed at University of Wisconsin went AWOL in the AHL. With the depth the Leafs have at the forward position, he wont make the team unless he's the best player at camp.
Same goes for Williams, although he's improved all demensions of his game, he will probably remain the AHL for atleast another season.
One player you didn't mention was Kulemin and after Tlusty and Pogge he's the best prospect we have and he's the most NHL ready. He signed a 3 year contract with the Leafs, and he has the talent already to play in the NHL, however the only thing that may go against him is his nonexperience of the North American game. I believe that he will play a minimal role for the Leafs this season but the next, he will be one of the best rookies in the league.
^^ Kulemin will be at camp but is going back to Russia for one more year. So we will not see him in a Leaf uniform this year but next he may be able to make the team out of camp.
Stajan is in my opinion the next shutdown guy in Toronto. Although he lacks the offensive production to make him a top 6 forward, he is still very strong two way player. He's a 15 goal scorer, 35 pt kind of guy, but he's going to be our shutdown guy.
Oh come on man... Stajan sucks. He doesn't have any sort of physicality to his game, he will not be a shutdown forward. He may end being a solid 3rd or 4th line guy, but with his cowardice to work the corners and win battles he will not be a shutdown guy.
The Leafs are going to sorely miss Peca especially if they rely on Stajan to fill the role.
He honestly plays the same game as Pavel Datsyuk or Jason Spezza... only without 1/10th the skill....
No Wade Belak?
Like it or not he is still part of the Leafs system. Although he's not the brightest bulb in the box, he is important. The "new" NHL believes its abolished the fighter, however Janssen proved last season, every team still needs a fighter. He also improved in Maurice's system. He will never log more than 8 minutes, but as long as he keeps his game simple, he is a pretty good player. Plus he's responsable in his own end.
As for your fourth line...
I dont believe we will ever see Tlusty and Sundin play on the same team in competitive games. Although he's a very good player, he still needs time to develop.
Stajan is in my opinion the next shutdown guy in Toronto. Although he lacks the offensive production to make him a top 6 forward, he is still very strong two way player. He's a 15 goal scorer, 35 pt kind of guy, but he's going to be our shutdown guy.
Devereaux was a breath of fresh air last season. He's very fast and again another strong defensive forward. With the new additions at the forward positions, he will get reduced ice time, he will still be an important player.
Pohl averaged 11:21 per game last season. Although he's another guy with good wheels, he's going to play a depth role in the squad.
Battaglia he's another depth player and when injuries come in he's a good fit. He's a career middle man, he's too good for the AHL yet not good enough for the NHL. He's a guy who will come in during injuries and will play about 60 games.
As for Earl and Williams, Earl can skate like the wind but the offensse he displayed at University of Wisconsin went AWOL in the AHL. With the depth the Leafs have at the forward position, he wont make the team unless he's the best player at camp.
Same goes for Williams, although he's improved all demensions of his game, he will probably remain the AHL for atleast another season.
One player you didn't mention was Kulemin and after Tlusty and Pogge he's the best prospect we have and he's the most NHL ready. He signed a 3 year contract with the Leafs, and he has the talent already to play in the NHL, however the only thing that may go against him is his nonexperience of the North American game. I believe that he will play a minimal role for the Leafs this season but the next, he will be one of the best rookies in the league.
Kulemin, from what I have read, is going to training camp and then back to Metalreg(sp?). I didn't say Tlusty is a for sure or anything, but he had three goals in six games with the Marlies, had a great training camp last season and an exceptional year at Sue Saint Marie post-his ankle injure (which really says something about his determination, to remain hot after an injury takes a lot of effort).
Earl is suppose to play #1 minutes in the Marlies system, he is a top six guy or a nobody. He apparently took a while to adjust to the NCAA system and probably will take a bit in the AHL; this season we should most likely see the beginning development of the Earl of the future.
Williams was a junior scoring dynamo, and apparently was one of the bright lights on the Marlies last year, post his knee injury. This is also a guy who has two goals in two NHL games; I wouldn’t be surprised to see Williams make a jump into the bottom six, though I think he will most likely wait in the AHL and come up during injury.
(A lot of the guys I mentioned were merely depth guys)
Battaglia is a guy I think we will see on the 4th line for sure; this guy is just so hard working it is hard to say you don't want him on the roster. I love that move he does when doing a wrap-around, where he does to full spin and tries to roof it short side. It did wonders for him last season, and if he is willing to repeat I don't think another 10 goals on the fourth line is too much to ask of him.
Pohl is a guy I don't like, along with Stajan. If those two hit half the empty net opportunities they were given, they would have both been twenty goal scorers. They have no offensive instincts and because of that, even in a defensive role, neither being in the NHL as forwards.
Devereaux is like you said, fast, hard-nosed fore-checker, he has the offensive skill of a knat but because of his fearlessness, that really doesn't matter much. He will go into high traffic areas, fight for the puck along the boards, block shots, hit, you know, everything Stajan doesn't do.
Stajan is the reason O'Neil is forced to retire. Every player he has played with slumped. Steen looked like he was going to break out of his slump playing minutes with Sundin, and then went back to play with Stajan and he slumped again. I think what Stajan needs is a good benching. He needs to know his half hearted attempts are no longer going to be tolerated. He has been deemed the next MacCauley, the next Clarke, the next Whatever Leafs fans think is a good leader, yet he has yet to earn any of those stations. If he is to play on the PK this season, I better see him chasing the puck a LOT more and blocking more shots, its time he started to earn his praise.
Belak did do great last season, I forgot about him really, but I think he would be awesome if we were doing two really hardnosed fore-checking lines. I think Belak plays best though after he has been benched. Meaning he is benched and then puts out two really good games and then goes to the land of mediocrity.
Another person to add to the list is Newbury. This guy was very similar to Dev, in the sense he was a breath of fresh air, I think he will be a call up, but I think this list really proves to you the depth the leafs have in forwards. We don't have many top six guys but we have a lot of third liners. And I think that can really compensate, besides in event of an injury replacing players with others of similar talent sees to spell consistency even during the injury bug, which is something to strive for in a way.
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I agree about the depth at defence ... boy, do the Leafs have a lot of defencemen. So much, that I think JFJ is going to have to make a trade after a few months while people's stock (WHITE) are high. We'll see who battles in for the positions from the young guys ...my hope rests on Kronwall
As for the forwards, I see Blake with Sundin to start and see what kind of chemistry they can create. If it's there, I wouldn't be surprised to see Tucker on that line too if he keeps up the touch he's had the last 2 seasons. Antropov and Poni are both perfectly capable as 1st liners, but they're not Blake and Tucker (when he's at the top of his game)
And the goalies ... again, I agree totally. Having both of these two battle it out would be great I think. If the relationships are okay in the room, then this could be a huge boost for the team. Confidence would be high for both goalies as they forced themselves to do their best to avoid allowing the other to run off with the #1 job.
Oh, and as for Stajan. I agree that he didn't do as well as expected last year, but I don't think it's fair to toss the towel already. I don't entirely agree with (I think it's Tyler DCA) the idea that he's afraid of grinding and the corners. I think he's bulking up as much as he can, and rather than be afraid of the corners, he's aware that his size doesn't always help him there - and he thinks position first. But that could be totally off base, I just don't see him beelining away from any battles. Also, I think if he improves his face-offs, and continues to focus on his defensive game he'll be our solid 3rd centre for time to come. Sundin, Welly and Stajan can be quality centres 3-deep.
It would be nice to move a player like White during trainging camp so that Stralman will have a shot at making the team. As it is right now White is better Stralman and the only way I can see Harrison or Kronwall making the line up is if we trade Kubina or drop Gill out of the regulars and into the 7th defenceman.
Stajan has been crap since the lock-out he was a floater for the Marlies during that season, Matt has been crap, and has been garenteed a spot, he needs disipline.
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With the adition of Tony Sam. could you imagine the wheels on a line like: Pohl-Williams-Sam
I doubt we'd see such a line but I think that would be a chance making/momentum building line, that could have many fans on the edge of their seat and throwing their heads back "Gahhh!!! So close!"
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Kulemin, from what I have read, is going to training camp and then back to Metalreg(sp?). I didn't say Tlusty is a for sure or anything, but he had three goals in six games with the Marlies, had a great training camp last season and an exceptional year at Sue Saint Marie post-his ankle injure (which really says something about his determination, to remain hot after an injury takes a lot of effort).
Earl is suppose to play #1 minutes in the Marlies system, he is a top six guy or a nobody. He apparently took a while to adjust to the NCAA system and probably will take a bit in the AHL; this season we should most likely see the beginning development of the Earl of the future.
Williams was a junior scoring dynamo, and apparently was one of the bright lights on the Marlies last year, post his knee injury. This is also a guy who has two goals in two NHL games; I wouldn’t be surprised to see Williams make a jump into the bottom six, though I think he will most likely wait in the AHL and come up during injury.
(A lot of the guys I mentioned were merely depth guys)
Battaglia is a guy I think we will see on the 4th line for sure; this guy is just so hard working it is hard to say you don't want him on the roster. I love that move he does when doing a wrap-around, where he does to full spin and tries to roof it short side. It did wonders for him last season, and if he is willing to repeat I don't think another 10 goals on the fourth line is too much to ask of him.
Pohl is a guy I don't like, along with Stajan. If those two hit half the empty net opportunities they were given, they would have both been twenty goal scorers. They have no offensive instincts and because of that, even in a defensive role, neither being in the NHL as forwards.
Devereaux is like you said, fast, hard-nosed fore-checker, he has the offensive skill of a knat but because of his fearlessness, that really doesn't matter much. He will go into high traffic areas, fight for the puck along the boards, block shots, hit, you know, everything Stajan doesn't do.
Stajan is the reason O'Neil is forced to retire. Every player he has played with slumped. Steen looked like he was going to break out of his slump playing minutes with Sundin, and then went back to play with Stajan and he slumped again. I think what Stajan needs is a good benching. He needs to know his half hearted attempts are no longer going to be tolerated. He has been deemed the next MacCauley, the next Clarke, the next Whatever Leafs fans think is a good leader, yet he has yet to earn any of those stations. If he is to play on the PK this season, I better see him chasing the puck a LOT more and blocking more shots, its time he started to earn his praise.
Belak did do great last season, I forgot about him really, but I think he would be awesome if we were doing two really hardnosed fore-checking lines. I think Belak plays best though after he has been benched. Meaning he is benched and then puts out two really good games and then goes to the land of mediocrity.
Another person to add to the list is Newbury. This guy was very similar to Dev, in the sense he was a breath of fresh air, I think he will be a call up, but I think this list really proves to you the depth the leafs have in forwards. We don't have many top six guys but we have a lot of third liners. And I think that can really compensate, besides in event of an injury replacing players with others of similar talent sees to spell consistency even during the injury bug, which is something to strive for in a way.
Stajan is 23 years old, I think a lot of people forget that because he played with Quinn pre lockout. He does have a muture side in which he does play solid defensively. He does have good skating ability but he needs to add some more weight to his 6"1 frame. Last season he started very slow along with Steen. Stajan did score 39pts last term and he hasn't reached his pinnicle yet. With that said, 40pts isn't farfetched and lets wait until mid season to judge him. Jeremy Williams is the same age yet we still consider him a prospect and a work in progress, why not do the same for Stajan?
I do like Newbury as well it was a shame he got injured last season because he was on a good role. He will never scored 20 goals but he's an ideal engery line player because he checks, is gritty and plays solid defensively.
Harrison is going to be a career minor leaguer in the Leafs system. Kronwall and Woz are much better than he is and unless the Leafs lose 5 defensemen next season he wont be playing.
Kronwall is a diamond in the ruff. Honestly Gill is only slightly better than he is and makes close 2.5 times the money. With that said, Kronwall will be a depth 7-8 defensemen depending on camp.
In my opinion Woz is better than Kronwall at the moment. H's a mature player and is solid defensively. He wont be a top offensive defensemen and at the height of his career wont be more than a solid defensemen, Woz could make a play into Maurice's system.
Stajan is 23 years old, I think a lot of people forget that because he played with Quinn pre lockout. He does have a muture side in which he does play solid defensively. He does have good skating ability but he needs to add some more weight to his 6"1 frame. Last season he started very slow along with Steen. Stajan did score 39pts last term and he hasn't reached his pinnicle yet. With that said, 40pts isn't farfetched and lets wait until mid season to judge him. Jeremy Williams is the same age yet we still consider him a prospect and a work in progress, why not do the same for Stajan?
I do like Newbury as well it was a shame he got injured last season because he was on a good role. He will never scored 20 goals but he's an ideal engery line player because he checks, is gritty and plays solid defensively.
Harrison is going to be a career minor leaguer in the Leafs system. Kronwall and Woz are much better than he is and unless the Leafs lose 5 defensemen next season he wont be playing.
Kronwall is a diamond in the ruff. Honestly Gill is only slightly better than he is and makes close 2.5 times the money. With that said, Kronwall will be a depth 7-8 defensemen depending on camp.
In my opinion Woz is better than Kronwall at the moment. H's a mature player and is solid defensively. He wont be a top offensive defensemen and at the height of his career wont be more than a solid defensemen, Woz could make a play into Maurice's system.
You're right Stajan is a work in progress which is why I am not suggesting to give up on him, I am merely saying we should stop forcing him into a roster he doesn't deserve to play on. If he isn't one of our best 12 forwards, make him stew in the minors until he shows that he is capable of stepping up into the roster, we should stop handing him a position that he seems keaned to fail at, as he does not seem to be developing in that position but regressing.
As for the Wizard of Woz being better then Kronwall, you might be right. Woz has got the legs, and he can hit, all in all he is a very sound defenseman who really impresses me and is one of our favourite young guys, but he is old. I don't see a lot of room for improvement in his game and he has sketchy positioning when comparing him to Kronwall. For the same reasons I would want to play Kronwall a head of Gill on the depth charts I would want to play him ahead of Woz as well. The defence in my mind is ranked as such:
Kaberle
McCabe
Kubina
Colaiacovo
White
Kronwall
Gill
Wizard of Woz
Stralman
Vorboeiv
Harrison
All NHL ready defence, but some more ready then others. I think Vorboeiv can be rated higher if we can somehow convince him in staying with the Marlies for a year, maybe step up onto the Leafs when the injuries hit, but from the sounds of it, he is like Stralman, it's either NHL or Home.
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Caber's pre-training camp analysis
Caber's pre-training camp analysis
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