Road Trip....1-2

So the leafs are off on a road trip...four out of five games are are against eastern conference teams (all of which are ahead of them).  However, the Leafs being the Enigma that they are, they'll probably win a couple of these games.  a 3-2 record on this road trip will be deemed a success, and not completely blow their playoff chances, or at least get them out of the top five pick in the 2010 draft.  With that being said, the leafs now need to go 2-0 in Florida, which doesn't seem like an astronomically difficult chore, however again knowing our Leafs, they will figure out a way to blow it. 

 

One thing that I've noticed...Tosakala can't start any more games.  The Leafs made a decision in the summer when they signed the Monster, that he was going to be their long term goaltending solution.  Toskala is in the final year of his contract, and I can almost 100% assure you, he will not be retained by the club.  Jonas is the long term solution, and if you really want to see what he's about, let him start almost every game for the remainder of the season.  At least he gives you a chance to win, where as Toskala will just jump for the puck and see it bounce in behind him.  One of the things that Jonas will definitely benefit from is being the backup goaltender for Sweden in the 2010 Olympics (only a couple of weeks away).  Being the back up to Sir Henrik, will definitely allow him to learn more about the game.  I remember when I played hockey, you learned a lot about the game from sitting on the bench, and I think him having an opportunity to watch a world class goaltender will be a huge learning experience for him.  If he gets to start on the big stage, then even better.  One thing is for certain, if the Leafs don't make the playoffs, you better believe the Monster is representing the Yellow and Blue of Sweden in the World Hockey Championships. 

 

In a previous posting, I mentioned the Leafs needed to bring Bozak up from the Marlies.  Now here is the next player that I think should come up soon.  Christian Hanson...you might recognize the last name, he's the 2nd generation hockey player of the famed Hanson brothers of Slap Shot.  This Hanson however, doesn't just play tough, he does the little things that make life easier for the other players.  I've always said, that your starting two lines on any hockey team require a play maker, a grinder, and a sniper.  Having these three elements into your line and those roles being played will almost always be successful in the NHL.  On the Leafs first line, they've got Kulemin, Kessell and Bozak.  Kulemin actually fills the role of Grinder quite nicely, but because of his expertise, he's actually a much better sniper.  Under Ron Wilson he has gelled into quite the grinder that not only does the dirty things but can get the job done to get the puck in the back of the net.  Bringing up Christian Hanson and putting him on the top line with Bozak and Kessel will definitely help the cause.  He'll do whats necessary to ensure that Kessell has a clean shot at the net.  And if the goalie makes the save, well Hanson is in the right place to tap in a three foot goal.  Gary Roberts alwas preached, a three feet goal equates to the same thing as a 40 foot goal. 

 

So now your asking yourself, "Bobby, Kulemin has been playing well on the top line where do you drop him to?" The answer to me is simple, for now, he's going to play with Stajan and Hagman.  He's faster than Poni, and gets to the dirty spots more effectively.  In a long term situation (next season), I still see Bozak, Hanson and Kessell as the top line...but on the second line, I see Kulemin, Kadri and maybe Stalberg.  Who knows, if Burke wants to make a splash on July 1st, maybe he signs Kovalchuk...and the leafs second line become the KKK line (fine we'll figure out a better name for that...) 

 

Personally, I don't think Burke will make a splash like that to get Kovalchuk, as I think he'll look to the College ranks again and try and pick and pry his way to get some undrafted draft players.  When you don't have a 1st Round pick, and a 2nd round pick this year, you have to get creative.  He can get two or three strong college players who haven't been drafted, then I think he washes away not having those two picks (even if the pick from Boston equates to Tyler Hall). 

 

The next couple of week's we'll be in for a treat.  The NHL season will shut down temporarily for the Olympic Break, and that will be some fun hockey to watch for sure! And when it resumes, watch out for trades, and playoff races galore.

 

I'm looking forward to it...so should you...

 

To end this post off, let me ask all the readers this...what two teams in the NHL don't end in an S...its always fun to have random trivia on the Blog...maybe it will be a trend to come...

 

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Cheers!