If I ever got to sign a contract like he did at his age, I'd consider my potential quite fulfilled.
Toronto Maple Leafs 2013/14 Season
- Thread starter Ironhead
- Start date
I'd be more concerned if it was LA, Ana and SJ instead of Oil, Cal and Van. They could sweep if they play well and consistently.
I really like their depth. One big star in Phil, then lots of hard working, talented at both ends forwards, decent D (but the forwards need to be very responsible) and above average netminding.
No glaring weaknesses but lots of room for improvement. I think we need to keep in mind that this is still a very young team and should improve without making any (big) moves.
One last comment. I wasn't happy when Carlyle came in as I am not a fan of his (expected) uber defensive style and I really liked Dallas Eakins. I am not sure if he has changed his style to suit the roster or if the roster isn't executing that defensive approach to the extent he'd like it, but his team has been entertaining and winning games. Great combo. He's gradually winning me over. Most importantly, though, is that it seems he has a sarcastic sense of humour which makes us brothers-in-arms.:eyebrows::thumb:
Sase, dude, she made the suggestion to trade Kadri for Ott. I just offered an opinion on how that was perhaps not a wise course of action.Gcostanza dude, the lady was just making a remark about Kadri NOT being up to his potential and we all know that, and hope he will soon one day be the one we ALL love to have as a LEAF. Till then, he has NOT bought into RC system of responsible defensively YET.
All those tit bits aside, Kadri turned in a real good effort last night as #1 centerman, Kudos to him and pray he keeps it up. We might have woken up a monster.
Ok, ok, let's NOT make a mountain out of a molehill (that is Blackrock's specialty).
I would deff hold my breath when the Leafs play a so called "lesser" team, they have a tendency to slack off. They perform much better when it is a must win, or playing a better team and they have a good chance when both teams playing all out offensive game.
This brings back the topic of defensive hockey: RC is big on defensive style (he was a defenceman), it is less glamouring for player, less exciting to watch (just look at the popularity of #3, haha) but for a team which is middle of the pack like the Leafs it is the best way to win more games. We are not loaded with talents like the Pens to be running and gunning AND win game in game out.
Right now, the goalies have bailed them out too often so they rack up the points, but wait until Christmas time the play WILL be tighten and teams have learned enough about oppositions, points will be hard to come by playing sloppy hockey.
This brings back the topic of defensive hockey: RC is big on defensive style (he was a defenceman
), it is less glamouring for player, less exciting to watch (just look at the popularity of #3, haha) but for a team which is middle of the pack like the Leafs it is the best way to win more games. We are not loaded with talents like the Pens to be running and gunning AND win game in game out.Right now, the goalies have bailed them out too often so they rack up the points, but wait until Christmas time the play WILL be tighten and teams have learned enough about oppositions, points will be hard to come by playing sloppy hockey.
Aren't we all? Getting to PLAY and get paid? O/c I'm not talking about the ladies of the trade
.Anywho, Kadri has the potential to be MUCH better and we EXPECT him to be so, and his getting a big contract down the road is the goal for all. Fulfilling = reach the goal, hit the ceiling. He has not yet doing any of this!
And to think some were comparing Kadri to Kessel because of his point totals last year. Kessel has been doing this right off the hop and getting better every year. Kadri? He showed some promise last year after so many years in the minors developing. This year even Bolland looks so much better than Kadri and Bolland ain't no Kessel.
Again, I think this speaks to the depth of the Leafs. Lots of solid two players up and down the roster. Bolland, Lupul, JVR, Clarkson to go along with the more one dimensional Kessel, Kulemin, Kadri and Bozak. They can spread out the scoring.
Agree.
One thing though about the word "one dimensional players", I think it is a bit one dimensional itself: players like Crosby, Sedin, Kadri, Kessel... should be called snipers. They have to hang up high and waiting for the long passes and then attack. Only when the puck is in deep in the defensive zone they come back inside their own blue line to back check (if they listen to the coach about their defensive responsibility
). Their job primarily is to score goals, and it it hard to beat all 6 guys if you start from deep in your zone.Kessel and Kadri has been doing more back check than before. Two way players are a good commodity, but then how many are sound in both zones AND be a high scoring player? To me, if a sniper doing his job (scoring, lot of scoring) AND at the same time do not turn over the puck too often, he is a gem. Just look at Malkin's give away that lead to Bolland's SH goal: how many people call him a one dimensional guy?
BTW, Kulemin is hardly qualify as one dimensional in MHO, he back check like hell to me.
Kathleen you obviously like hockey and the Leafs are your team, but you really caught me off guard with that trade Kadri for Ott+. Not interested in Ott at all.
Only way I even think about that trade is if Buffalo's 2015 first rounder(McDavid year) is part of the package.
Leafs in Edmonton tonight. Do not want to call these next two games gimmees but I will be disappointed if the Leafs do not come away with four points.
I think Liles will see some action in Alberta. They may be close a trade. Hopefully Liles and his entire contract find their way out of town.
Only way I even think about that trade is if Buffalo's 2015 first rounder(McDavid year) is part of the package.
Leafs in Edmonton tonight. Do not want to call these next two games gimmees but I will be disappointed if the Leafs do not come away with four points.
I think Liles will see some action in Alberta. They may be close a trade. Hopefully Liles and his entire contract find their way out of town.
Heard the same on 680NEWS. That is almost Kessel type money but then Dion does play around 25-28 minutes in most games.
Is that what he wants or is that what is being offered????
MY thoughts are that as the season goes on Phaneuf wears down playing 25 minutes , I think he is more effective when his ice time is reduced.
Problem is Leafs really don't have a #2 D that is ready to be a #1.
MY thoughts are that as the season goes on Phaneuf wears down playing 25 minutes , I think he is more effective when his ice time is reduced.
Problem is Leafs really don't have a #2 D that is ready to be a #1.
Liles has as much chance of playing regularly under Carlyle as I do of marrying Kathleen, which is too bad because I really like Liles as well. Carlyle has made it obvious that he would play anyone, and I mean anyone, except Liles. I can only speculate that it's his lack of size. Guaranteed that Leafs will sign Phaneuf to a long term deal, probably 6 years, at pretty much the same as what he's making now, maybe even a bit of a raise. Look for the top 4 for the next few years to be Phaneuf-Gunnar-Gardiner-Rielly. Add Franson if Leafs decide to pay up at the end of this year and sign him to a long term contract. This leaves one spot, to likely a youngster Brennan-Percy. Fraser and Holzer will likely not be re-signed or not to a long term contract anyways, even though I like Fraser.
They could use some depth up front. I don't think Raymond has enough grit, he probably won't be re-signed.
They could use some depth up front. I don't think Raymond has enough grit, he probably won't be re-signed.
Finally, a game where the Leafs, almost dominated from start to finish.
Almost because too many chances given up, good ones too. But Riemer was huge, and the defense cleared the rebounds. That is one thing about the Edmonton team, they are not too big up front, so the Leafs defense out muscle them to the loose puck from the rebound.
The Leafs biggest problem is still the forwards, and how they play defense. This is going to be a tough sell for the coach Carlyle in the first half of the year. Later in the year when the playoffs approach, then the players probably will get more serious about it. Now, they pad the stats, and the forwards will be lax in their defensive responsibilities. The forwards float a little, and they still win 4-0. Granted that is a talented Edmonton team with skill up front, they just could not cash in on their point blank chances.
I think all six Leafs defense man had a good game. Franson looked shaky a couple of times, but still had a decent game, just like all the other defenders.
Gardiner is quietly becoming better. Rielly is a regular now. Only if Liles played like Rielly, he would be on the team.
Outside of who was playing with Kadri and Kessel, the other lines did not generate much offense. It may take a while for Clarkson to fit in. He plays a different style. Forecheck hard, finish his check. Get in front of the net, for the point shot. The majority of the teams in the league use the point shot as their main offensive strategy. Except for the Leafs. When Kulemin comes back from injury, I would like to see Clarkson, Bolland, Kulemin on a line. That line would weight 600 pounds, and they can score.
Kessel on your top line, with the other winger JVR.
Kadri, despite his alleged faults, he is one of the more dynamic offensive players we have seen on the Leafs for a long time. Doesn't matter who you play Kadri with, they find a way to score.
Then you have Bolland, quite an accomplish third line center, with Kulimen and maybe Clarkson. That probably one of the best third lines in the league.
This team will make some noise. It is no fluke that they are in first.
Reimer, another shut out. When he gets in a groove in a game, he is streaky and very tough to beat.
Tonight, they played Orr, Mclaren, and Ashton. They actually played Ashton on the third line, and left Orr and Mclaren on the fourth line. The Leafs won't carry all three.
:deadhorse:
Almost because too many chances given up, good ones too. But Riemer was huge, and the defense cleared the rebounds. That is one thing about the Edmonton team, they are not too big up front, so the Leafs defense out muscle them to the loose puck from the rebound.
The Leafs biggest problem is still the forwards, and how they play defense. This is going to be a tough sell for the coach Carlyle in the first half of the year. Later in the year when the playoffs approach, then the players probably will get more serious about it. Now, they pad the stats, and the forwards will be lax in their defensive responsibilities. The forwards float a little, and they still win 4-0. Granted that is a talented Edmonton team with skill up front, they just could not cash in on their point blank chances.
I think all six Leafs defense man had a good game. Franson looked shaky a couple of times, but still had a decent game, just like all the other defenders.
Gardiner is quietly becoming better. Rielly is a regular now. Only if Liles played like Rielly, he would be on the team.
Outside of who was playing with Kadri and Kessel, the other lines did not generate much offense. It may take a while for Clarkson to fit in. He plays a different style. Forecheck hard, finish his check. Get in front of the net, for the point shot. The majority of the teams in the league use the point shot as their main offensive strategy. Except for the Leafs. When Kulemin comes back from injury, I would like to see Clarkson, Bolland, Kulemin on a line. That line would weight 600 pounds, and they can score.
Kessel on your top line, with the other winger JVR.
Kadri, despite his alleged faults, he is one of the more dynamic offensive players we have seen on the Leafs for a long time. Doesn't matter who you play Kadri with, they find a way to score.
Then you have Bolland, quite an accomplish third line center, with Kulimen and maybe Clarkson. That probably one of the best third lines in the league.
This team will make some noise. It is no fluke that they are in first.
Reimer, another shut out. When he gets in a groove in a game, he is streaky and very tough to beat.
Tonight, they played Orr, Mclaren, and Ashton. They actually played Ashton on the third line, and left Orr and Mclaren on the fourth line. The Leafs won't carry all three.
:deadhorse:
