Toronto Maple Leafs 2011/12

[Casa_Nova]

That is true , however even with those players available, the leafs would still not be able to compete vs. the Bruins

The leafs will also have a great deal of trouble with the Penguins now that Crosby is back
Philly is also a vastly superior team and if the coaching change in Washington get Alex OV to pull his head out of his ass, the Capitals should be a superior team relative to the Leafs

Come on guys, let be real - No one expectes the Leafs to win the Division. Most of you guys were even laughing when the word playoffs was first thrown around. They played a decent couple of months and now you guys are comparing them to the likes of Boston/Pittsburg/Washington?!?

Do I think they are a better team than last year? Yes. Do I think they can make playoffs? Yes. But I am expecting them to battle from 5-8th spot and not 1-4th. Therefore they are not in a great deal of trouble at all, they are actually ahead of what most people's expectations were before the season started.

 

[JohnLarue]

Come on guys, let be real - No one expectes the Leafs to win the Division. Most of you guys were even laughing when the word playoffs was first thrown around. They played a decent couple of months and now you guys are comparing them to the likes of Boston/Pittsburg/Washington?!?

Do I think they are a better team than last year? Yes. Do I think they can make playoffs? Yes. But I am expecting them to battle from 5-8th spot and not 1-4th. Therefore they are not in a great deal of trouble at all, they are actually ahead of what most people's expectations were before the season started.

That is pretty much the same thing as what I said

 

[Rockslinger]

Does anybody remember where Boston finished the regular season last year?

 

[Polaris]

Does anybody remember where Boston finished the regular season last year?

It should be first place over 100 points season. Game 7 against Montreal and game 7 against Tampa were at home.

What I don't understand is what Burke said after the season was over last year.

After the Leafs were out of post season play again, Burke said that the number 1 center on the team, Bozak, was not ready. His point production, playing along side Kessel for most of the season, was just not there. Burke said it was not Bozak's fault, it was his fault for putting him in the 1 hole.

Well guess what? One year later, and Bozak in the number 1 hole. And whole first line invisible in Bastun.

It's like to going to some MP again and again. The first time you went to this MP, there was no extra mileage. The second time you go to the same MP, you still get no extra mileage. You try again the third time, and still no extra mileage. Then the same thing happens on the 4th visit, 5th visit, 6th visit, 7th visit, ad infinitum. Really, that is the situation down the middle with the Leafs. For sure Ron Wilson is a TERBite, looking for extra mileage when there is none to be had.

Connelly, Grabrosky, Colborune down the middle. Lombardi could help, but he love injury for long time.

Can Armstrong play center?

 

[Rockslinger]

Connelly, Grabrosky, Colborune down the middle. Lombardi could help, but he love injury for long time.
Can Armstrong play center?

When will Nazem Kadr be ready? He's now 21 years old. Tyler Seguin is a year younger and is a star in the NHL.

 

[Ironhead]

That is true , however even with those players available, the leafs would still not be able to compete vs. the Bruins

The leafs will also have a great deal of trouble with the Penguins now that Crosby is back
Philly is also a vastly superior team and if the coaching change in Washington get Alex OV to pull his head out of his ass, the Capitals should be a superior team relative to the Leafs

REALLY !!

Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Washington are better then the Leafs ?!
Jeez John, I am glad you are here to point out the incredibly obvious !

 

[shack]

REALLY !!

Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Washington are better then the Leafs ?!
Jeez John, I am glad you are here to point out the incredibly obvious !

I understood his post. Guys were pointing out the Leafs shortcomings and using those elite teams for comparison. Evidently, not incredibly obvious to all.

 

[shack]

What I don't understand is what Burke said after the season was over last year.

After the Leafs were out of post season play again, Burke said that the number 1 center on the team, Bozak, was not ready. His point production, playing along side Kessel for most of the season, was just not there. Burke said it was not Bozak's fault, it was his fault for putting him in the 1 hole.

Well guess what? One year later, and Bozak in the number 1 hole. And whole first line invisible in Bastun.

It's like to going to some MP again and again. The first time you went to this MP, there was no extra mileage. The second time you go to the same MP, you still get no extra mileage. You try again the third time, and still no extra mileage. Then the same thing happens on the 4th visit, 5th visit, 6th visit, 7th visit, ad infinitum. Really, that is the situation down the middle with the Leafs. For sure Ron Wilson is a TERBite, looking for extra mileage when there is none to be had.

Poor analogy, comparing a professional who is competitive, team oriented, still learning but willing to work his butt off with the motivation of hoping to make multi-million dollar contracts to an MP whose greatest accomplishment is to get a quicker release.

Bozak was not slotted as No. 1 coming out of camp (in line with Burke's comments) but due to injuries was forced into that role. And once there he performed way better than last year.

Is he Gretzky, no. Is he even an Henri Richard? No. Is he better than last year. Unquestionably. Did his wingers do will with him in the middle. For sure. Does he still have more upside. Probably and for sure moreso than your MP.

Hope you now have a better understanding.

 

[Polaris]

Hope you now have a better understanding.

Excuses! That's what the Leafs really want!? Another 40 years of excuses! And no mileage!

Look at the game logs from Yahoo. Bozak is having the same type of year.

In fact, if we look even more closely, he's not having a good year at all.

Bozak actually has 6 goals, which puts him on pace for 20 this year. Looking closely at it, he won't make it. He got 1 goal against the Capitals, who shortly later fired their coach. He got 2 goals against a last place team Anaheim who also fired their coach. He got 2 goals against Tampa. That's sound good but consider that one was on a two man advantage and the other was with Roloson giving him the puck for an empty net goal. It took Bozak about 15 games before he scored his first goal this season. Six goals for him is not bad, but considering how they came about, this is just another typical year for Bozak, and this is his third season in the NHL.

I seen enough. He just is not a top six forward. And he can't check, which does not make him a bottom six forward. It's time to give someone else a chance. Someone like Connolley on the top line. Even Colbourne deserves a chance on the top line. Bozak on the top line is only asking for more failure and excuses!

No mileage! :Eek:

 

[shack]

In fact, if we look even more closely, he's not having a good year at all.

Wonder if Kessel and Lupul would agree.

Like I said, he's no all-star but if his linemates are top 5 in the league in scoring, you'd have to be an idiot to break it up. If they falter, then it will be time.

 

[The Oracle]

Wonder if Kessel and Lupul would agree.
, you'd have to be an idiot to break it up. If they falter, then it will be time.

Agreed. Remember Bozak is coming from the US college ranks so competitively he is a few years behind in his development curve.

I've watched him closely this year and would say his defensive coverage has improved significantly over last year.

From what I can see he is improving and that is all the Buds can ask for.

 

[shack]

Leafs up 3-2, early 3rd. Each side has 22 shots. 2 assists for Kessel. Leafs did have a 3-0 lead, so they are letting NY back into the game.

 

[the boy wonder]

man the refing was Brutal in this leafs rangers game, and the wilson press conferance was soo funny LOL pure jokes

 

[Ironhead]

4-2 Final !

Nice hits by Phaneuf and Schenn in the third.
Soft call on Bozak to give NY a two man ad, then you have no call when Rosehill was highsticked with blood.
Gustavsson was great ! I want to say stick with him tomorrow, but I understand you got to get Reimer back in there quickly.
Kessel has gone cold.

 

[pencilneckgeek2]

4-2 Final !

Kessel has gone cold.

:frusty:

It's really hard to take your opinion seriously.

Phil Kessel registered 2 points tonight.

 

[Ironhead]

:frusty:

It's really hard to take your opinion seriously.

Phil Kessel registered 2 points tonight.

Oh, my mistake ... because that is what Kessel was traded for ... to get assists.
I am sitting down, but stand corrected.

 

[the boy wonder]

Oh, my mistake ... because that is what Kessel was traded for ... to get assists.
I am sitting down, but stand corrected.

the first line is one fire!, but the question is what happened to kuley? is he perhaps effected by one of the deaths of one of those russian guys from that khl plane crash? hes gone 18 or 29 games with out a goal

 

[pencilneckgeek2]

Oh, my mistake ... because that is what Kessel was traded for ... to get assists.
I am sitting down, but stand corrected.

I guess it's a sign that the Maple Leafs are getting better when fans complain because Kessel only got 2 points in a game, and neither were goals.

Sheesh, no pleasin' some people.

 

[The Oracle]

the first line is one fire!, but the question is what happened to kuley? is he perhaps effected by one of the deaths of one of those russian guys from that khl plane crash? hes gone 18 or 29 games with out a goal

He's still a plus player and contributing in other ways.

Therefore they can have patience and he will come around. He's to good to not to.

 

[Ironhead]

I guess it's a sign that the Maple Leafs are getting better when fans complain because Kessel only got 2 points in a game, and neither were goals.

Sheesh, no pleasin' some people.

Complaining ? No. Just pointed it out.