Toronto Maple Leafs 2011-2012

[Built Ford Tough]

Rather than clog up the General Hockey Thread with a bunch of Leaf stuff, I figured between myself and CmS, this thread is worth making.

 

Some pretty big news from today. Keith Aulie was sent to the Marlies which means that Jake Gardiner made the Leafs and will be seeing regular minutes in the NHL, at least to start the season. His play in training camp/preseason was absolutely brilliant (aside from the last game against Detroit, but given the sheer volume of hockey he played in such a short time period, it is understandable) and based on his play alone, there was absolutely no way that you could leave him off of the team. He was quite possibly the Leafs' best defenseman during the preseason. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing how he plays on Thursday against the Habs.

 

It is pretty unfortunate for Aulie, though. He played very well last seson but struggled in camp/preseason this year. Him not having to clear waivers certainly was a key element in the decision to send him down. Hopefully he goes down to the Marlies and really continues to work on his game. It is only a matter of time before he is back up with the big club, whether it is because of injuries, Gardiner struggles or just his play in the AHL.

 

Also, Darryl Boyce, Joey Crabb and Matt Lashoff were placed on waivers, which means it looks like Dupuis won the 4th line center role.

[Check my Stats]

I hope Gardiner can come in and do a solid job, but I have my doubts. He is so young and had such a good pre-season, it is hard to not have sky high expectations. I too expect he will be sent down with Aulie coming back up, but I would be ecstatic if he played well enough to stick. Regardless, it is clear this kid is going to be good, probably sooner than later too.

 

Sounds like Connolly is out for tomorrow's game (shocker right) so that means we will be back to Bozak on the first line more likely than not. It sucks missing two key guys from our top 6 for the first few games because we need to get out of the gate solid and that first line hasn't really had a chance to mesh. Knew our team had a lot of 'ifs', but dammit Connolly.

 

Happy 24th birthday to Phil Kessel, here is to many more years of you not meeting the fans' ridiculous expectations for you!

 

Also heard this on HFBoards:

 

Rumors**Source: Leafs talking trade with several teams (Rangers/CBJ/Jets/Caps) hearing Leafs unloading a D-man

 

Makes sense considering how bottom heavy we are. From a source called incarcerated bob whoever that is lol, so take it with a grain of salt, but at least worth thinking about, seeing as we could definitely use some help (as always) in our top 9 forward groups.

 

I also read Kadri hopes to begin skating again next week, so it is looking like maybe that quoted 2-4 weeks out might be on the 2 side. Definitely going to make things interesting when he comes back, it absolutely sucks he basically lost his spot because of injury. Frattin is going to need to be terrific in order to hold that spot when Kadri gets back IMO.

Edited October 4, 2011 by Check my Stats

[NomarFachix]

Incarcerated Bob is this thugged out sports guy who is actually right more often than wrong. Pretty funny amateur with insiders.

[EastCoastNiner]

Good luck trying to trade Komisuckiit. That guy is such a scrub. .

[Built Ford Tough]

Leafs picked up David Steckel from the Devils for a 4th round pick.

 

The Toronto Maple Leafs have acquired centreman David Steckel from the New Jersey Devils in exchange for a fourth-round draft pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.

 

The native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin has 24 goals and 35 assists in 309 career NHL games with the Washington Capitals and Devils.

 

http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=377419

 

This move kind of confuses me, unless Burke has another deal lined up somewhere else. The Leafs have a glut of bottom 6 forwards now and I'm not exactly sure where everybody fits in.

 

If I had to guess, Steckel takes over the 4th line center role and as a faceoff specialist. Dupuis either gets waived or moves to the wing, but that would also push one of Orr/Rosehill out of the lineup and we all know how Burke likes to have an enforcer on his 4th line.

 

This also makes you wonder about the future of Bozak. If Lombardi regains his form that likely pushes Bozak out of the 3rd line center role and there isn't exactly a lot of room on the wings anywhere, unless both Frattin and Kadri play with the Marlies this year, which I can't see happening.

Edited October 4, 2011 by The Great BFT

[Check my Stats]

Good luck trying to trade Komisuckiit. That guy is such a scrub. .

 

He will be a Leaf until his contract is up. Nevermind how immovable it is, but our GM loves the guy.

 

The Steckel move is kind of pointless, hopefully it is going to lead to something else but I just don't see the point in trading picks (I don't care what round they are) for irrelevant players.

 

Also sounds like Franson is pissed about being the 7th d-man going into the season. Kind of sucks to see him play behind an inferior player in Komisarek (same with Aulie IMO) because of the numbers game. Hopefully we can make a move for a competent forward to clear up room to get this kid some minutes.

Edited October 4, 2011 by Check my Stats

[Check my Stats]

He will be a Leaf until his contract is up. Nevermind how immovable it is, but our GM loves the guy.

 

The Steckel move is kind of pointless, hopefully it is going to lead to something else but I just don't see the point in trading picks (I don't care what round they are) for irrelevant players. If we wanted low cost centers to replace our injured guys why didn't we just grab Brule off waivers?

 

Also sounds like Franson is pissed about being the 7th d-man going into the season. Kind of sucks to see him play behind an inferior player in Komisarek (same with Aulie IMO) because of the numbers game. Hopefully we can make a move for a competent forward to clear up room to get this kid some minutes.

[EastCoastNiner]

Do the Maple Leafs want to trade their first round pick to the Bruins this year?

[Check my Stats]

The circumstances are entirely different from a couple years ago. Our best player isn't Lee Stempniak anymore. If someone offered us a Phil Kessel type for 3 picks we would take it in a heartbeat lol.

Edited October 5, 2011 by Check my Stats

[EastCoastNiner]

The circumstances are entirely different from a couple years ago. Our best player isn't Lee Stempniak anymore. If someone offered us a Phil Kessel type for 3 picks we would take it in a heartbeat lol.

 

You're telling me, right now, you would take a Phil Kessel clone for?:

 

2012 1st

2012 2nd

2013 1st

 

That is beyond outrageous for a team that probably won't make the playoffs.

[Built Ford Tough]

The circumstances are entirely different from a couple years ago. Our best player isn't Lee Stempniak anymore. If someone offered us a Phil Kessel type for 3 picks we would take it in a heartbeat lol.

 

I wouldn't considering how strong the 2012 draft is projected to be and the fact that a Kessel type player isn't a franchise player. If the Leafs were to trade 3 more early round picks, they better be getting somebody better than Kessel.

 

Don't get me wrong, Kessel is a very good player and clearly a 1st line talent, but I wouldn't be happy with getting another Kessel type for that kind of package.

 

Oh yeah, there is also the fact that I have very little faith in this Leaf team. I know they played really well to end the season last year, but we have seen them do that plenty of times before. I don't expect Reimer to play like he did last year and the only way I see them making the playoffs is if he can repeat that kind of performance.

 

If they were a lock for the playoffs I'd be all for it, but I can see them finishing 12th in the East just as easily as I can see them making 8th.

Edited October 6, 2011 by The Great BFT

[Built Ford Tough]

Lineup for tonights opener agaisnt the Habs:

 

Kulemin - Grabovski - Frattin

Lupul - Bozak - Kessel

Dupuis - Steckel - Armstrong

Rosehill - Lombardi - Brown

 

Gunnarson - Phaneuf

Liles - Schenn

Gardiner - Komisarek

 

Reimer

Gustavsson

Edited October 6, 2011 by The Great BFT

[Built Ford Tough]

So Mike Komisarek was greeted with a nice chorus of boos during the opening introductions. That didn't take long.

 

EDIT: Also, Wilson was booed when he was introduced and responded by laughing and saying "I knew it".

Edited October 6, 2011 by The Great BFT

[Built Ford Tough]

When Mike Komisarek was your best player (aside Reimer, although I thought Grabovski was good too) you know you played an absolutely awful period.

Edited October 7, 2011 by The Great BFT

[Built Ford Tough]

Welcome back to the NHL, Matthew Lombardi!!!!

 

Nice job from him and Brown utilizing their speed on the PK to create a scoring chance.

 

EDIT: Wow, Healy is ridiculous. According to him the Leafs only scored that goal because Andrei Markov wasn't in the lineup. Seriously?

Edited October 7, 2011 by The Great BFT

[Check my Stats]

Well, we played some decent hockey after that atrocious first period. Kessel looked great to me, which is something you won't hear often from me. The Grabo line looked meh, but Frattin was transparent and the line will surely improve with Macarthur back.

 

Reimer was rock solid all night. Fun game to watch after that horrible first period.

[Built Ford Tough]

Well, we played some decent hockey after that atrocious first period. Kessel looked great to me, which is something you won't hear often from me. The Grabo line looked meh, but Frattin was transparent and the line will surely improve with Macarthur back.

 

Reimer was rock solid all night. Fun game to watch after that horrible first period.

 

I actually thought that Grabovski was one of the better Leafs tonight. He was dangerous with the puck, played well defensively and even though he didn't get any points, he definitely created some very good chances for Kulemin and himself. Kulemin didn't look as good as he usually does and Frattin had his moments, so overall I can agree that the line itself was pretty average, but from an individual standpoint, I thought Grabovski was buzzing all night long, even in the first when the Leafs looked like garbage.

 

Komisarek played his best game in a long, long time tonight. Perhaps his best game in a Leafs uniform. He did a good job of clearing the front of the net, blocking shots, making the simple play and his physical play was great as he didn't overcommit leaving himself out of position. I was with most Leaf fans who wanted Franson in the lineup over him, but if he continues to play like he did tonight I have absolutely no problems with him being a permanent fixture on the Leafs blueline this year. I doubt that happens, though.

 

Steckel was awesome as well. His ability to dominate the faceoff circle (what was he, 18-6 or something?) was huge for the Leafs on the PK and whenever they needed a defensive zone win. Starting with possession of the puck did wonders for the Leafs PK tonight and if Steckel can consistently give the Leafs this kind of defensive effort I think I am going to grow to love him.

 

Other standouts for me were Phanuef and Kessel, for obvious reasons. That one timer from Phaneuf for the 2nd goal was exactly the kind of shot he had in Calgary. It was a rocket and perfectly placed.

 

Reimer was solid. He wasn't really tested all that much as most of the shots weren't very challenging, but he was a steadying influence and he did his job tonight.

[Jammin]

It's always hilarious seeing Leafs fans get hope at the beginning of the season, then 1 month in it just dies and turns into pure hatred again.

[Check my Stats]

Pessimism ftw.

[Built Ford Tough]

Colton Orr is back in the Leafs lineup.

 

Too bad Carkner isn't playing for the Sens. It would be nice to see Orr throw him around again.

[Built Ford Tough]

I think Lupul has had about 4 or 5 golden scoring chances in the first 4 periods of this season and he hasn't buried one of them. He is really snake-bitten to start this season. Hopefully he can finish one of these opportunities and get some confidence as you don't want a streaky scorer like him to have numerous chances and not be able to convert on any of them.

 

EDIT: Simpson and Healy are brutal. Armstrong gets a stick in the face from Cowen and gets cut in the process, and all they can talk about is how Armstrong is trying to sell the call. SImpson even went as far as to say that he didn't even think the stick hit him.

 

Grabovski scores on the insuing powerplay after an excellent feed from Kulemin.

Edited October 8, 2011 by The Great BFT

[Check my Stats]

Healy is unbearable.

 

Last night's game really was something else. Hard to watch, felt like I was watching a game of pickup. Oh well, 2-0, can't really complain about the ways we get W's, just so long as we get them.

 

Kessel is kicking the year off with some extra jump in his game, obviously it was against Ottawa but if he continues to play hard like that he could be in for a 40 goal year.

 

Can't wait to see our team play when we are at full strength. Figure Connolly will be back next game and Macarthur obviously will be too.

[EastCoastNiner]

Kessel has always had the talent, and he's gotten undeserved criticism and hate from many people. I do not regret the trade at all because of the picks the Bruins ended up with, but if those were middle of the round picks, then I think the trade would favor the Leafs.

 

He is such a threat any time he is one the ice, and his snapshot is something else. I hope he does well, but not against the Bruins.

[Built Ford Tough]

Even though he got a hat trick and 4 points last night, the thing about his game that stood out the most for me was the shift he (and Lombardi) had at the end of the game. If you would've told me two seasons ago, hell even last year, that Phil Kessel would be on the ice trying to preserve a one goal lead in the last minute of a game I would've called you an idiot. Not only was he out there, he was absolutely dominant. He probably killed a good 20 seconds in the Sens zone along the end boards by outworking everybody else on the ice.

 

Another play that stood out was in the Montreal game. I can't remember who it was that turned the puck over (I want to say Gardiner but I really have no idea) but the Habs broke out with an odd man rush (3 on 2 I believe) and Kessel came back and broke up the rush. He was the deepest player in the Leafs zone, but he used his speed to not only get back into the offensive play, but make it a 3 on 2 rush for the Leafs.

 

I know it has only been two games and neither one of them were against great teams, but his defensive play has been fantastic this season. I expected the offense (although I can't say I expected 5 points in 2 games) but if he can continue to give this kind of effort defensively I will be very happy.

 

Phanuef has also looked brilliant to start the year. I'm not going to go as far as to say he is back to his Norris form like his early years in Calgary because he clearly isn't. However, over the past 40 games or so, he is definitely back to looking like a legitimate #1 all-star defenseman. Him and Kessel receive a lot of criticism, some is valid while some isn't, but if they continue to play like they have over the past 40 or so games they are definitely going to shut those critics up.

 

And now for the pessimism as there is too much optimism in this post. Luke Schenn has looked absolutely awful so far. I noticed it in the preseason but figured it was only the preseason so who cares, but his poor play has carried over into the first two games. He looks really slow and has made quite a few mistakes thus far. Hopefully it is just a slow start because when he is on his game he is a very good defensive defenseman, but man, he looks bad so far.

[Built Ford Tough]

Expected lineup for Saturday against the Flames:

 

MacArthur - Grabovski - Kulemin

Lupul - Bozak - Kessel

Frattin - Lombardi - Armstrong

Steckel - Dupuis - Brown

 

Gunnarsson - Phaneuf

Liles - Schenn

Gardiner - Franson

 

Reimer

Gustavsson

 

Scratches: Orr, Rosehill, Komisarek