So 46 games into the regular season, and our beloved Toronto Maple Leafs are 9 points out of the playoff spot, which doesn't look very bad, but based on their positioning, isn't very good. See there wouldn't be too much room for worry, except the Toronto Maple Leafs DON'T have a first round draft pick in this year's draft. Hockey is not like basketball where first round picks are protected if the team is in a lottery position. Its the risk you take by making a bold move. I agree having Phill Kessel on the team makes the Maple Leafs that much deadlier. It brings a sniper element that the team has never had before. But, what Kessel needs is a centreman who can feed him the puck at will. Watching last night's game, I realized something...Kessel can't be a sniper and a puck handler at the same time. It doesn't work with his style of game, and it doesn't manufacture what the Leafs need to achieve. The top priority for Brian Burke should be this...GET A NUMBER 1 CENTREMAN!!!
Now how do we try to salvage the remaining 36 games of the season. One of the key considerations I think that need to be made is bringing up Tyler Bozak from the Toronto Marlies. He's got exceptional puck handling skill and can pass the puck almost at will. I think having him and Kessel playing off each other will benefit the team. It will also allow the team to evaluate Bozak's worth as to what role in the futurue he will hold with the team. Matt Stajan is a good player, but by no means is he a team's number one centremen. He can be a great 2nd line centre on a mediocre team, or a very good 3rd line centre on a good team.
I think some decisions will have to be made, primiarly on the players Burke knows he doesn't want to resign this off season. If a deal can be made and get a couple of draft picks back for those players, I think Burke should pull the trigger and do it. Allow the kids that you worked hard to sign out of college to try and make something happen. The Leafs need an injection of youthful spirit in the line up. The defensive core still looks good, and when Komisarik and Gunnarson come back, I think that the top six will be filled out quite nicely.
Burke has said the reason why he was able to make the deal the bring in Kessel was because he along with his scouting staff felt the prospects in the system gave them enough depth. Well, I think its time we start to see that depth in the organization. Lets bring up some of these kids and see what they can do for us.
On a side note, I can't wait to see Nazem Kadri in a Maple Leafs jersey next year. Unless they fill the void with a player in the Marlies or signing of one, I think he's your legit first line centre after seeing the way he played with Taylor Hall.
Jason Blake, who the Leafs are still suffering from an inflated contract needs to be dealt with. I think best way to take him off the books, ship him off to the Marlies and tell him he doesn't have to report and let him take his money and go back home (to where ever he resides).
The only real bright spot for me is seeing the development of Jonas the Monster Gustavasson and Ian White. You might ask me why the Monster, I'll tell you why. This guy has come into a new league under harsh circumstances and has played well on a bad team. A lot of the goals aren't his fault and he doesn't need to be held accountantable for them. He's given solid goaltending and has given his team a chance to win on most nights. Ian White, man this guy hopefully Burke resigns him, but if he doesn't want to stay in Toronto no one could blame him. Last season he was outside looking in on the top 6 defense man. Ron Wilson was creative and tried him at forward, which was a success. He went back to Defense and played well. This season he was on the outside looking in again, and throughout the season, has championed himself to be a Top 4 defense man.
This team can be a lot of fun to watch, and they have been working hard every game, but I think there comes a time when you have to play your chips and allow the future Leafs to take over the roster.
Don't let the puck hit your $7000 Nikon SLR camera like it did in last night's game...I wonder if Jamal Myers will pay for that...
Follow me on twitter @jollybenjabi
Cheers and GO PACKERS!!!!
post by Bobby C
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