Toronto Maple Leafs 2013/14 Season
- Thread starter Ironhead
- Start date
I would not want to give up either Riely or a 1st for Kesler, but for Kadri, Gardiner, Kulemin and maybe a 2nd, I'd do it in a heart beat. Kulemin will be gone next summer anyway and he can be replaced, Gardiner will be an addition by subtraction. Bolland may not return next year so getting Kesler will provide a solid 2nd line centre. It should not cost a lot to acquire an experienced dman as an instant improvement over Gardiner.
This year's team has huge holes in defence, centre, power play quarterback positions and lack grit and second line scoring. It'll take more than a couple of trades before it becomes a cup contender, but to hang on to a playoff spot this year they'll need more than just one line scoring. Lupul and Kadri have not been consistent and the offence can be shut down by the better teams easily. I see Detroit, Columbus, Ottawa and Washington as real threats to knock the Leafs out of a playoff spot and IMHO the Leafs' chances are no better than 50/50 if they don't make any improvement tomorrow.
Sometimes the best trades are the ones not made and you don't make a trade just because all your competitors do, but at the end of the day, the Leafs are the only team that didn't improve at the trade deadline, at least not on paper; Detroit, Columbus, Ottawa, Rangers, Philadelphia, Washington all made improvement to various degrees and they are the Leafs are fighting against for a playoff spot.
The Leafs were playing better before the Olympics break, but they're still accumulating points.
On the winning Bozak OT goal, the Rangers decided to look like the Leafs playing defense. Geez, what were those four guys doing? Actually, what were the Leafs doing letting the Rangers come back to tie the game during one power play?
There seems to be a disconnect between the coach and his players. Carslyle is like in a "don't give me a heart attack" mode, while the players are kind of loose, in a "what, me worry" lets coast along kind of mode.
Some teams do that, that they start to coast into the playoffs when it looks likely they will make it into the playoffs tournament. Conserve some energy. The Leafs, if they get a point a game to the end of the season, which would be a lower pace than what they have done so far, should make it in easily. Four games after the break, four points.
This team has some established players in their prime. On defense Phenuef has his detractors but he has had another solid year. When he is on the ice, as we can say the same about Gleason, the goals do not go against for the most part. What got into Paul Ranger lately? He looks like the player who could be real good. Goal tending solid all season.
That is the mystery of the Leafs, the defense has played well, without any superstars. These four games after the break, Leafs looked sloppy but the other team did not score very much, seems like the chances were about even in all four games.
Up front, the curious problem is there is not enough depth players to fill out the 3rd or 4th line. In a league full of 3rd and 4th line players, the Leafs do not have a good 3rd or 4th line. Getting Bolland back will help immensely. Bolland is not an impact player, but he will make an impact when he returns because the Leafs do not have a center that can play like Bolland does. I doubt Bolland will be back because it is unlikely management will want to pay big bucks for a player whose career has always been full of injuries. Then again, maybe Kulemin leaves and they keep Bolland, and put kids into the 4th and 3rd lines next season.
Last year in the playoffs, no one knew how this team would do or react. I thought they were okay, and did met the challenge. This years they Leafs are stronger in the back with Gleason and Bernie. Up front, it is about the same, except Bolland is on the team. If the Leafs get hot, they will not be an easy team to put away.
On the winning Bozak OT goal, the Rangers decided to look like the Leafs playing defense. Geez, what were those four guys doing? Actually, what were the Leafs doing letting the Rangers come back to tie the game during one power play?
There seems to be a disconnect between the coach and his players. Carslyle is like in a "don't give me a heart attack" mode, while the players are kind of loose, in a "what, me worry" lets coast along kind of mode.
Some teams do that, that they start to coast into the playoffs when it looks likely they will make it into the playoffs tournament. Conserve some energy. The Leafs, if they get a point a game to the end of the season, which would be a lower pace than what they have done so far, should make it in easily. Four games after the break, four points.
This team has some established players in their prime. On defense Phenuef has his detractors but he has had another solid year. When he is on the ice, as we can say the same about Gleason, the goals do not go against for the most part. What got into Paul Ranger lately? He looks like the player who could be real good. Goal tending solid all season.
That is the mystery of the Leafs, the defense has played well, without any superstars. These four games after the break, Leafs looked sloppy but the other team did not score very much, seems like the chances were about even in all four games.
Up front, the curious problem is there is not enough depth players to fill out the 3rd or 4th line. In a league full of 3rd and 4th line players, the Leafs do not have a good 3rd or 4th line. Getting Bolland back will help immensely. Bolland is not an impact player, but he will make an impact when he returns because the Leafs do not have a center that can play like Bolland does. I doubt Bolland will be back because it is unlikely management will want to pay big bucks for a player whose career has always been full of injuries. Then again, maybe Kulemin leaves and they keep Bolland, and put kids into the 4th and 3rd lines next season.
Last year in the playoffs, no one knew how this team would do or react. I thought they were okay, and did met the challenge. This years they Leafs are stronger in the back with Gleason and Bernie. Up front, it is about the same, except Bolland is on the team. If the Leafs get hot, they will not be an easy team to put away.
As of today, it would be Toronto vs Montreal in the first round. Seems more likely now that Tampa has traded St. Louis.
I would just like to see them finally matchup in the playoffs again... its been 35 years since they met in the playoffs. It has nothing to do with it being a better matchup or not.
I would just like to see them finally matchup in the playoffs again... its been 35 years since they met in the playoffs. It has nothing to do with it being a better matchup or not.
The Leafs are coming up to the monster part of their season, 12 games in 22 nights, including a swing thru the west coast where I do believe they play San Jose, Anaheim and LA within something like four or five nights. There's potential to lay an oh for three goose egg right there, if they continue with their porous defensive ways. And there's no evidence to the contrary that their egregious cough ups are going to stop anytime soon.
This is no time for "coast mode" hoping for a point a game pace. The next three weeks are going to make or break their season and I wouldn't hold your breath waiting for Bolland to be back soon. Reports are that his skating is nowhere near game ready, never mind his stamina and timing. Time for the supporting cast starting with Clarkson and Kadri to step up and find their way onto the scoresheet more consistently. Glad Holland is back up. Think he can contribute given a little more ice time.
This is no time for "coast mode" hoping for a point a game pace. The next three weeks are going to make or break their season and I wouldn't hold your breath waiting for Bolland to be back soon. Reports are that his skating is nowhere near game ready, never mind his stamina and timing. Time for the supporting cast starting with Clarkson and Kadri to step up and find their way onto the scoresheet more consistently. Glad Holland is back up. Think he can contribute given a little more ice time.
Tonight the Leafs host the Flyers.
This is the second of three games this season. Leafs won the first game 3-1 back on Oct 2. Bolland scored twice in the Leaf win.
Looking back on the van Riemsdyk for Schenn trade once again. JVR is having a career year, goals, points. Schenn is in the top 10 of the league in hits.
Go Leafs !
This is the second of three games this season. Leafs won the first game 3-1 back on Oct 2. Bolland scored twice in the Leaf win.
Looking back on the van Riemsdyk for Schenn trade once again. JVR is having a career year, goals, points. Schenn is in the top 10 of the league in hits.
Go Leafs !
As pointed out by Cypher, this may be the toughest part of the schedule for the Leafs.
The next two weeks beginning with tonight ...
Mar 8 Philadelphia
Mar 10 at Anaheim
Mar 11 at San Jose
Mar 13 at Los Angeles
Mar 16 at Washington
Mar 18 at Detroit
Mar 19 Tampa Bay
Mar 22 Montreal
The next two weeks beginning with tonight ...
Mar 8 Philadelphia
Mar 10 at Anaheim
Mar 11 at San Jose
Mar 13 at Los Angeles
Mar 16 at Washington
Mar 18 at Detroit
Mar 19 Tampa Bay
Mar 22 Montreal
