Fair enough, but in your first post you said you would like to bet on it which got me to 'say' what I said.
The Leafs ... 2
- Thread starter Ironhead
- Start date
Poni is this year's Antropov; yes he has scored more than 20 goals, but just like Antropov he has been playing on the first 2 lines with major minutes, including significant power play time. Because of the lack of any other offensive threat other than Kessel, Poni has almost become the second( or third before Hagman was traded)go-to guy on offence. Any forward with any offensive skills at all should score at least 20.No I don't think it's going out on a limb. I was merely pointing out the folly of that highly optimistic claim for the very reason you stated.
Ponikarovsky catches too much heat. Offense may be up compared to a few years ago, but the fact is 20-goal scorers still don't grow on trees in this league - and in the Leaf's organization, they hardly grow AT ALL - so as with Hagman, one should stop and think before calling for the departure of players who - though ordinary, are among the best they've got ... nd unless a few guys agree to significant contract restructuring, there isn't going to be the money available to bring in anything better (and it sure ain't coming from within the system any time soon...)
The remaining games have almost become meaningless except trying to save face by not being a lottery team, Poni has to be traded to add more to the talent pool. If the price is right, he can still be signed as a f.a. next year.
I was looking at the individual scoring stats in to-day's Sun. There are 5 teams who don't even have one 20 goal scorer. Can you name 2 of them?Any forward with any offensive skills at all should score at least 20.
Well..I'll guess it is a couple of the bottom feeders...I see someone has said Poni has 20..so the Leafs are out.I was looking at the individual scoring stats in to-day's Sun. There are 5 teams who don't even have one 20 goal scorer. Can you name 2 of them?
I'll guess Habs, Canes, Oilers, Wild and Panthers
N2G
Poni has 19 goals but Kessel has 21 so the Leafs are not one of the 5 teams without a 20 goal man...I see someone has said Poni has 20..so the Leafs are out.
The 5 teams without a 20 goal man or woman are:I'll guess Habs, Canes, Oilers, Wild and Panthers
Atlanta Thrashers
Boston Bruins
Detroit Red Wings
Buffalo Sabres
St Louis Blues
Well I think the example of Antropov disproves the point - when he got traded to the Rangers he scored 7 goals in 18 games there - roughly equivalent to a 29 goal pace - and last time I looked he's pretty close to a point-a-game in Atlanta. So, like Modin and Boyce, he is the one with the last laugh from being divorced from the Leafs, and I suspect Ponikarovsky will join that list.Poni is this year's Antropov; yes he has scored more than 20 goals, but just like Antropov he has been playing on the first 2 lines with major minutes, including significant power play time. Because of the lack of any other offensive threat other than Kessel, Poni has almost become the second( or third before Hagman was traded)go-to guy on offence. Any forward with any offensive skills at all should score at least 20.
Atlanta, incidentally is where another unfairly maligned ex-Leaf is now playing - Pavel Kubina - who may not have been at his best in Toronto but is still 2X better than Komisarek & Beauchemin put together, and is still probably better than Phaneuff for the same money (although Phaneuff obviously is young enough to become as good and better) ... as evidenced by the fact that The Thrashers are on pace to improve by around 10 points over last year and reduce their GA by about 20 ... all with a couple of reject goalies that no GM in the league would have picked over Toskala & Gustafsson when training camp openned.
I'm not so sure what you said proved or disproved anything. All I was trying to say was that Poni, just like Antropov, was at best a second line forward; the Leafs will never be a contender if Poni has to play major minutes on the first line. The first priority is to expand the talent pool, particularly in the centre position. Sure I'd like to see him back next year but trading him now to get younger talent has no bearing on the Leafs' chances of resigning him next year. It'll depand on what other team(s) is willing to offer him.Well I think the example of Antropov disproves the point - when he got traded to the Rangers he scored 7 goals in 18 games there - roughly equivalent to a 29 goal pace - and last time I looked he's pretty close to a point-a-game in Atlanta. So, like Modin and Boyce, he is the one with the last laugh from being divorced from the Leafs, and I suspect Ponikarovsky will join that list.
Atlanta, incidentally is where another unfairly maligned ex-Leaf is now playing - Pavel Kubina - who may not have been at his best in Toronto but is still 2X better than Komisarek & Beauchemin put together, and is still probably better than Phaneuff for the same money (although Phaneuff obviously is young enough to become as good and better) ... as evidenced by the fact that The Thrashers are on pace to improve by around 10 points over last year and reduce their GA by about 20 ... all with a couple of reject goalies that no GM in the league would have picked over Toskala & Gustafsson when training camp openned.
I actually agree with most of that. But although it would be nice if someone would be willing to trade the next Tews, Stamkos or Tavares to us for Ponikarovsky, I don't think it's gonna happen. I think for the near and intermediate future he is worth more to the Leads on the ice than for what he could be traded for ... unless they took someone elses underperforming salary dump (and likely reclamation project) assuming there's enough cap space.All I was trying to say was that Poni, just like Antropov, was at best a second line forward; the Leafs will never be a contender if Poni has to play major minutes on the first line. The first priority is to expand the talent pool, particularly in the centre position. .
It all depands on what Burke has in mind. Is he going to try to save face by adding more temporary help so he won't be remembered for giving away a First pick overall ? Doing so will only hurt the Leafs rebuilding further more and I hope he's man enough not to do that. I'll be happy if we can get an early 2nd rounder for Poni.
Well I think the example of Antropov disproves the point - when he got traded to the Rangers he scored 7 goals in 18 games there - roughly equivalent to a 29 goal pace - and last time I looked he's pretty close to a point-a-game in Atlanta. So, like Modin and Boyce, he is the one with the last laugh from being divorced from the Leafs, and I suspect Ponikarovsky will join that list.
Atlanta, incidentally is where another unfairly maligned ex-Leaf is now playing - Pavel Kubina - who may not have been at his best in Toronto but is still 2X better than Komisarek & Beauchemin put together, and is still probably better than Phaneuff for the same money (although Phaneuff obviously is young enough to become as good and better) ... as evidenced by the fact that The Thrashers are on pace to improve by around 10 points over last year and reduce their GA by about 20 ... all with a couple of reject goalies that no GM in the league would have picked over Toskala & Gustafsson when training camp openned.
Playing in Atlanta and playing in Toronto ... yeah that is the same. Also there was another good player in Atlanta until a couple of weeks ago ... what was his name ... he plays for Jersey now. Do you think he may have helped in Antropov having the good season ?
I am reasonably sure the TML will make the playoffs sooner than Lativa will play in a Gold Medal game.The hunt for the playoffs starts tonight.....and will end about 5 years from now
Norway? That I'm not sure about.
My Leafs season update
Well coming out of the Olympic break the Leafs played a bad game against the Canes. I was hoping Staal would have an Olympic hangover, but he played well.
Since then though the team played well getting seven of a possible ten points, including three OT wins. Yes, yes, the playoffs are no longer an opinion, but the Leafs are the youngest team in the NHL and the future does not look so bleak.
I was lukewarm on Kulemin at the start of this season, but he has played very well lately. I really like him and his progress.
I also like Sjostrom and Stalberg which is saying a lot for me, since I usually do not put as much value on Euros.
Kessel scored his 23rd of the season last night in OT in the Leafs 4-3 win over the Lightning.
Well coming out of the Olympic break the Leafs played a bad game against the Canes. I was hoping Staal would have an Olympic hangover, but he played well.
Since then though the team played well getting seven of a possible ten points, including three OT wins. Yes, yes, the playoffs are no longer an opinion, but the Leafs are the youngest team in the NHL and the future does not look so bleak.
I was lukewarm on Kulemin at the start of this season, but he has played very well lately. I really like him and his progress.
I also like Sjostrom and Stalberg which is saying a lot for me, since I usually do not put as much value on Euros.
Kessel scored his 23rd of the season last night in OT in the Leafs 4-3 win over the Lightning.
The Leafs are living proof that you can't lose them all. Insert smilie here.Since then though the team played well getting seven of a possible ten points, including three OT wins.
Current management was not here 3 years ago. The people that did not start this youth movement were canned.If they had started this youth movement 3 years ago, .
