Do We Risk Change?
Let’s face it, with how inconsistent this team has been over the course of this year (and the last 2), we can basically be assured that Ron Wilson will not be the coach of the future for the Toronto Maple Leafs. His “systems” make for some exciting hockey, but the run n’ gun offense will not survive in today’s NHL. Players these days have far too much skill and a goalie cannot be expected to stop odd man rush, after point blank shot, after breakaway, on a nightly basis. His system relies on speed, and puck movement, which is very tough to keep up consistently. To be maintainable, the players need adequate rest and recovery time, because if they show up gassed, the game is as good as lost (as we have seen too often this year). Even if we somehow make it to the playoffs, the intensity and frequency of the games will not allow us to make it out of the first round. So what do we do?
As I have already stated, Wilson needs to go. He refuses to change the system, and the system doesn’t work. Stubbornness is fine, when the product produces. His doesn’t, end of story.
Should The Leafs Pursue Jaroslav Halak?
It’s becoming obvious that the Leafs #1 problem is goaltending. Nor Reimer or Gustavsson are coming up with key saves at the critical times in the games. It’s obvious that the combo of Riem & Gus is not going to be good enough to get us into the playoffs.
I look at the St.Louis goaltending situation. Elliot is playing incredible. They have 2 great goalie propects on the very near horizon. Perhaps Burke can make an enquiry to see if Halak can be pryed from the Blues. He’s been a #1 b4. He’s played in the East. He certainly would be an upgrade over Reim & Gus. I’d say if we can get Halak, see what the market is for Reim. If it’s soft, than keep Reim & either trade Gus for whatever u can get or just let him walk away as a UFA next July, but if you can package Reim for something really good, re-sign Gus to keep him next year with Halak.
I have to believe that with consistent goaltending, the Leafs could be sitting very nicely even with Pittsburgh & Ottawa. Instead the Leafs are just very lucky to be barely hanging on to the 8th spot with Washington, Winnipeg, Montreal & Tampa on our heels.
Honestly I’m surprised the Blues with 2 number one goalies, they wouldn’t be looking to move Halak for something else that can help him rather than have a #1 goalie sitting on the bench. Remember Fletcher in 1992? Due to having a great young Potvin in net, he traded Fuhr for two time 59 goal scorer in Andreychuk. The Blues should be thinking this way.
I would love to see Halak in a Leaf uniform, sooner than later. Don’t wait till the Leafs fall to far too behind in the East.
If Halak is available, go get em Burke!!!!!
Just Don’t Expect The Leafs To Make A Big Splash By The Deadline.
Of course the Leafs have lots of depth to make minor deals by the 27th of February but I’ve gone through the NHL rosters of 29 other teams & unfortunately the “big” deal for the Leafs isn’t very unlikely at least for that proven commodity that will for sure help this team.
I’m sure plenty of marginal players will be available like Penner & as well as young guys with great potential but who have yet to prove themselves playing on a regular basis. Neither of these two types of players are likely to make the Leafs any better this year. Obviously I don’t want the Leafs to mortgage the future for anybody. The only thing Burke can do is try to make a smart trade like the Phanuef trade only this time getting a top 6 center or a goalie who is proven & can help the Leafs now & for the future. Unfortunately what the Leafs need to really help them just isn’t available. Ya the Leafs could try to get a young center like Cody Hodgson or the young goalie Cory Schneider but they are in the middle of a playoff race, Leafs already have 2 goalies who lack experience, they are going to put another inexperienced goalie in the mix? Plus the Leafs already have enough centers who aren’t exactly pure #1 centerman. Too risky for the Leafs to gamble on guys who aren’t proven or ready to be thrust into the crazy limelight of the Toronto market as #1 everyday players.
Leafs on Pace to End Playoff Drought
After last nights inspiring win in the Nations Capital, the Leafs are currently on pace for 95 points and have a .577 winning percentage. To achieve 93 points, which since the lockout has been the benchmark in the East to make the playoffs, they need to play .550 hockey the rest of the way, or some combination of 33 points over the remaining 30 games.
The Importance of Mikhail Grabovski
When the Maple Leafs re-signed John-Michael Liles, the prevailing thought was that Mikhail Grabovski was about to become a cap casualty. Liles took less than $4 million to stay in Toronto, putting next year’s cap space at slightly over $11 million. The problem was that Keith Aulie, Cody Franson, and Nikolai Kulemin become restricted free agents in line for raises, and Jonas Gustavsson becomes an unrestricted free agent.
Grabovski will likely make close to $5 million, so to keep Grabovski in the fold the Leafs need some creative cap management, especially if they hope to make other improvements to the squad.
Because of the shrinking cap space and Grabovski’s soon-to-be free agent status, his name has inevitably popped up in trade rumours. And unless there’s some unlikely fantasy scenario where Ryan Getzlaf comes back the other way, in no way does a Grabovski deal help the Leafs.
Continue reading
Recent Comments