scorpionn

I think this guy is finally living up to his potential... early on this season, I think he has been our best player (better than Sundin by a bit).

He looks a ton faster, stronger, great defesnively and doesn't take as many stupid penalties.. he also looks really good playing at centre.. I just hope he can stay healthy.

Thoughts?

mikey84

He's definitley had a hot start. Maybe the fans and media will stop ragging on him. But the instant he gets hurt, they WILL be back on him much like Raycroft with making a save after a bad goal.

At the price he's being paid he's a real good asset to have right now. If he can pot 60-70 points and build on that in the coming years he will be a steal. But that's a stretch to hope for since we've never seen Antropov for a full season yet.

draeko17

I've always been a big fan of Nik's. Very happy to see him come into his own. I just love watching this guy play.

hockeyboy14

I disagree about him being our best played thus far... I think Stajan has improved the most.
However he is finally living up to his value, and hopefully he can stay healthy.

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BE-LEAF-ABLE

Obviously, I'm not sold. We've seen this before.

Yes, he has played well so far this year, but I want to see that he performs even close to this level come Trade Deadline Day. Of course, I don't expect him to keep up those outstanding offencive numbers, or play all 82.

However, if he can continue to play with near the level of effort that he's giving Toronto now, and play at least 60+ games and net 50+ points - I'll definitely be off his back, as I'm sure many other Leaf fans will be.

Already the criticism has dropped from most (I myself have no complaints about him right now either), but how long will it last? That is the question.

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"It's not the way it's going to be. We have to be very, very patient and build this the right way. We have to go through a process. It may be painful. I hope it isn't. But we're prepared for all the bumps and pratfalls and potholes in the road ahead. I'm prepared for it anyway, or I wouldn't have come." - Ron Wilson, Head Coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

nossagog

Seen the past two games with Antropov, and I gotta say that he was a horse in those two games vs the Pens and the Sabres. If you want the Leafs to get rid of him, I'm sure that many teams would make a deal at this point.

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Penguins Fan living in Sabreland

MaCabe

Saint Nic is just continuing what he started last season after his injury. I have always said that Antropov was unjustly persicuted in TO, he was always defensivly responcible, makes good passes and has a good size. A lot of people knocked him for not utilizing his size in hisearly years, but that is the Antropov of the past. He has a fire in his play now, and it start last season when he punched that guy in the face after som post-play shoving involving Sundin. The problem is that Antropov has always played this well its just now he is able to net the chances he has been getting and with that being said when those chances stop going his way again fans will be on his ass again, just like Raycroft and McCabe

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subby13

I've always been an Antropov fan/defender, but I still can't get over the way he's been playing lately. I thought we'd see continued improvement from him, but it seems that he's taken a bigger, faster step forward than I was expecting. He looks absolutely dynamic so far this year. Kudos to him, I hope he can keep it up.

Unfortunately, I won't believe that he can stay healthy until I see him stay in the line up for longer than this.