My other Leaf thread timed out. (Here in the Sports Discussion arm threads that are not popular are dropped on page four. Only 85 threads. Not complaining, just pointing out.)
Well it is too early to judge the new Leafs as Leafs, but I like the team a whole hell of a lot better then I did a week before.
I predicted the Leafs would make the playoffs at the start of the season and if things stayed the way they were they would have missed the playoffs by a lot. I did say that it was because of how bad the other teams were as much as the Leafs would have earned the playoffs. Now there is renewed hope for this season, not much, but hope none the less. They have a chance to eke into the playoffs, not saying they will cash that chance, just that it is a little better today then it was last week.
The Leafs have not improved much, but the attitude has changed somewhat. That is key in team sports.
Departing ...
Blake, a very hard worker, was paid to score, but was not scoring.
Toskala was supposed to stop the puck and did play well at times, but the weak goal on a rebuilding team hoping to make the playoffs is a killer. Both are gone now(GMs do strange things as the trade deadline nears) and new blood who may have needed a new start have replaced them.
Stajan, a good Toronto kid who really liked wearing the Blue and White, sometimes it is not enough to want to play for the home team. It should do him good to get away from TO, home, friends and get into a different environment
Hagman, a guy I really liked for a time, was too inconsistent. No big loss, will not be missed.
White gave the puck away trying to do too much at least twice a game. He needs to play within his limits. A little sorry to see him go. If then when he realizes his limitations he will be a whole lot more valuable.
Mayers wanted out. Bye. I thought he filled his roll well, but not everyone is happy just filling the roll.
Arriving ...
Phaneuf will help the Leaf defence by taking some of the pressure off Beauchemin, Komisarek, Exelby and Schenn. They all play tough, now Phaneuf can be the leader and they can support and play their game.
Giguere can be the teacher Toskala was not/did not want to be. Giggy wants to start. Good, he can lead/teach by example. Nothing could be better for Gusstavsson. Sign him to another one, maybe two year contract and see what you got before you give him(Gustavsson) big money.
Sjostrom, possibly a throw in to make the money work, impressed in the one game so far.
Aulie is a big kid. Will have to wait on him, but should pay dividends in the future.
Jury will be out until the first week of March on all of the new Leafs, because of the Olympic break.
More trades to come. Burke could get rid of Finger under the right circumstances. Not that I have to name them, but Poniakrovsky and Kaberla are on the block. Kaberla not until the summer unless he approaches Burke.
Well it is too early to judge the new Leafs as Leafs, but I like the team a whole hell of a lot better then I did a week before.
I predicted the Leafs would make the playoffs at the start of the season and if things stayed the way they were they would have missed the playoffs by a lot. I did say that it was because of how bad the other teams were as much as the Leafs would have earned the playoffs. Now there is renewed hope for this season, not much, but hope none the less. They have a chance to eke into the playoffs, not saying they will cash that chance, just that it is a little better today then it was last week.
The Leafs have not improved much, but the attitude has changed somewhat. That is key in team sports.
Departing ...
Blake, a very hard worker, was paid to score, but was not scoring.
Toskala was supposed to stop the puck and did play well at times, but the weak goal on a rebuilding team hoping to make the playoffs is a killer. Both are gone now(GMs do strange things as the trade deadline nears) and new blood who may have needed a new start have replaced them.
Stajan, a good Toronto kid who really liked wearing the Blue and White, sometimes it is not enough to want to play for the home team. It should do him good to get away from TO, home, friends and get into a different environment
Hagman, a guy I really liked for a time, was too inconsistent. No big loss, will not be missed.
White gave the puck away trying to do too much at least twice a game. He needs to play within his limits. A little sorry to see him go. If then when he realizes his limitations he will be a whole lot more valuable.
Mayers wanted out. Bye. I thought he filled his roll well, but not everyone is happy just filling the roll.
Arriving ...
Phaneuf will help the Leaf defence by taking some of the pressure off Beauchemin, Komisarek, Exelby and Schenn. They all play tough, now Phaneuf can be the leader and they can support and play their game.
Giguere can be the teacher Toskala was not/did not want to be. Giggy wants to start. Good, he can lead/teach by example. Nothing could be better for Gusstavsson. Sign him to another one, maybe two year contract and see what you got before you give him(Gustavsson) big money.
Sjostrom, possibly a throw in to make the money work, impressed in the one game so far.
Aulie is a big kid. Will have to wait on him, but should pay dividends in the future.
Jury will be out until the first week of March on all of the new Leafs, because of the Olympic break.
More trades to come. Burke could get rid of Finger under the right circumstances. Not that I have to name them, but Poniakrovsky and Kaberla are on the block. Kaberla not until the summer unless he approaches Burke.
