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10 People Who Could Improve the Leafs.

moon111

New member
#1.  Randy Carlyle.  Can Carlyle get this team playing a system that will finally tighten up the goals-against?  Could he get more out of players like Kadri? 

#2.  James Reimer.  His success came when the team was playing it's heart out.  Some opponents were already in the playoffs.  Come to the grind of the regular season, with a weak defensive system, he failed.  Not one to make wild saves, he'll be much better off if the Leafs stop turning the puck over.

#3.  Mike Komisarek.  Komisarek is a tank.  An awesome weapon, but one that's not designed at all to run around.  If Carlyle can implement the X's and O's right, Komisarek won't be left alone to hold the defensive line on the battlefield.  A single tank cannot stop the enemy from outflanking.  Make the opposition have to go through instead.  With Luke Schenn gone, a new coach, and maybe a new game plan, now is Komisarek best chance to shine.

#4.  Nikolai Kulemin.  Kulemin looked like a guy with a broken heart.  He played in a fog.  Was it the Russian plane crash?  Perhaps it was Ron Wilson?  Whatever the reason, even a drop of Wendel Clark motivation might return him to 30+ goals.

#5.  Tyler Bozak.  What?  Bozak?  Thought we all wanted him gone or at least off the top line?  Well for one, he's constantly improved.  And for two, who is his competition?  Van Reimsdyk really hasn't shown anything throughout his career that he's any better.  Yes he's two inches taller, but they're about the same weight.  If size is really needed on the first line, a more serious threat would come from Joe Colborne.

#6.  James Van Riemsdyk.  Although his .27 assists per game (.10 in the playoffs) make me think he's not the right choice to make the #1 center position at all, he still comes in as an added boost on the forward lines. 

#7.  Jake Gardiner.  Is this guy for real?  Might be the stand-out for 2012-13, but one doesn't want to put too much optimism on a sophomore defenseman.  Compared to Phaneuf, his numbers don't compare.  But his impression of Bobby Orr joining the rush puts the opposition on their heels. 

#8.  Ben Scrivens.  The guy has posted some serious save percentage numbers throughout his career.  But coming to the NHL, he was a .974 one game, a .643 the next.  At 25, he's allot further along then Tim Thomas was playing for the Oulun K?rp?t or something.  He might be able to become the #1 goalie, with the only difference being mentally tougher the Reimer.

#9.  John-Michael Liles.  Last season he was a -9 in games against Boston.  Maybe the Leafs shouldn't play him in games against the Bruins!  He's a good defenseman who sees success when he's contributing to the offense, but otherwise can end up hurting the club.  Hopefully a new system will have him able to make a positive impact in games he doesn't get on the score board.

#10 Brian Burke.  Without notice, Burke can pull a rabbit out of the hat.  Doesn't do anything just for the sakes of it, he'll stand pat rather then do something on a whim.  Still looking over the roster, it starts feeling a little crowded in some positions where no one player stands out above the others. 
 
Can you get success hiring a smash-mouth coach to run a passive hockey team? It will be interesting to see the team develop under Carlyle. I'm sure they will play better defensively but will that cost them offense?

Liles was playing scared last year and big tough teams ate him up. I hope he can get over that.

I was at the last game at Ricoh last season when Scrivens took a 0 - 0 tie into overtime. He was unreal! Some of that should carry over into the NHL.
 
I would also add Kessel - Lupul combo. For the Leafs to make the play-offs these two must retain their magic.
 
Change the tread title.  Was going after those who could be making bigger impacts on the team.  Although I do think Kessel could improve his game with a few more dimensions.  Think teams are expecting him to do the same thing now.  A little versatility would keep them guessing.  I can't imagine Lupul getting any better.  He was terrific last season.  Was actually thinking about Colborne.  Got a feeling the Leafs are hunkering for this big body to make the roster.
 
Great post and topic, moon.

I agree with pretty much everything you said.  D-men like Liles and Komi could both contribute a heck of a lot more than they have and certainly some veteran savvy would go a long way to stabilizing the back end.  Liles had a good first half until the injury and never got back into the groove. He should be able to find it again.  Komi did look better under Carlyle - quite a bit, actually - and as long as they keep him the heck away from Lucic, he might turn out ok.

Can't really expect much more from Kessel/Lupul except that if Lupul had remained healthy, Kessel probably finishes 4th in scoring, easily.  A legit centre or Bozak finding that next gear would make them that much more dangerous.
 
I put Komi so high because players like him always end up looking so useless in a run`n gun system.  From what I read, he's been pretty motivated.  I have allot less desire to see him moved with Schenn gone.  He's a physical presence.  But he's not a fighter.  Has way more losses then wins, but will go in there anyways when needed.  He's either a very supportive teammate... or nuts.

I think the ingredients of Lupul/Bozak/Kessel was figured out by the opposition.  One intriguing theory of mine is to see Colborne take over Bozak's spot, even if he's not as good overall as Bozak, Kadri, or even Connolly.  Colborne has one dimension those guys don't have - size.  A 6'5" kid who could drive to the net would be awesome while Lupul and Kessel decide where score from.  Might help keep Lupul and Kessel healthy as well.  But who'd win the face-offs?
 
moon111 said:
I put Komi so high because players like him always end up looking so useless in a run`n gun system.  From what I read, he's been pretty motivated.  I have allot less desire to see him moved with Schenn gone.  He's a physical presence.  But he's not a fighter.  Has way more losses then wins, but will go in there anyways when needed.  He's either a very supportive teammate... or nuts.

I think the ingredients of Lupul/Bozak/Kessel was figured out by the opposition.  One intriguing theory of mine is to see Colborne take over Bozak's spot, even if he's not as good overall as Bozak, Kadri, or even Connolly.  Colborne has one dimension those guys don't have - size.  A 6'5" kid who could drive to the net would be awesome while Lupul and Kessel decide where score from.  Might help keep Lupul and Kessel healthy as well.  But who'd win the face-offs?

The problem there is Colborne isn't a drive-the-net type of player. Think Joe Thornton, but much less talented.
 
Bullfrog said:
moon111 said:
I put Komi so high because players like him always end up looking so useless in a run`n gun system.  From what I read, he's been pretty motivated.  I have allot less desire to see him moved with Schenn gone.  He's a physical presence.  But he's not a fighter.  Has way more losses then wins, but will go in there anyways when needed.  He's either a very supportive teammate... or nuts.

I think the ingredients of Lupul/Bozak/Kessel was figured out by the opposition.  One intriguing theory of mine is to see Colborne take over Bozak's spot, even if he's not as good overall as Bozak, Kadri, or even Connolly.  Colborne has one dimension those guys don't have - size.  A 6'5" kid who could drive to the net would be awesome while Lupul and Kessel decide where score from.  Might help keep Lupul and Kessel healthy as well.  But who'd win the face-offs?

The problem there is Colborne isn't a drive-the-net type of player. Think Joe Thornton, but much less talented.

I'd like to see JVR take Bozaks spot.  He has played center before and its a role he can grow into.
 
If he can produce at center, I'm all for it. However, I'm particularly interested in seeing him continue his career as a winger. This team needs a bonafide centerman, someone how's done so as an NHLer.
 
Bullfrog said:
If he can produce at center, I'm all for it. However, I'm particularly interested in seeing him continue his career as a winger. This team needs a bonafide centerman, someone how's done so as an NHLer.

I think JVR on Grabbo's wing will be a great fit, with Kulemin on the other side.
 
Corn Flake said:
Bullfrog said:
If he can produce at center, I'm all for it. However, I'm particularly interested in seeing him continue his career as a winger. This team needs a bonafide centerman, someone how's done so as an NHLer.

I think JVR on Grabbo's wing will be a great fit, with Kulemin on the other side.

Agreed with you, Bullfrog, on the bolded point. Also with CF on the line combo. MacArthur is going to be a stretch in the top 6 this year, I think...he and Connolly are two that I can see being moved - albeit closer to the deadline...
 
Omallley said:
Corn Flake said:
Bullfrog said:
If he can produce at center, I'm all for it. However, I'm particularly interested in seeing him continue his career as a winger. This team needs a bonafide centerman, someone how's done so as an NHLer.

I think JVR on Grabbo's wing will be a great fit, with Kulemin on the other side.

Agreed with you, Bullfrog, on the bolded point. Also with CF on the line combo. MacArthur is going to be a stretch in the top 6 this year, I think...he and Connolly are two that I can see being moved - albeit closer to the deadline...

Makes sense. I think Mac becomes a bit of a swingman who can play both wings, but will duke it out with Kadri for who gets to fill in on the top two lines when injuries arise. But eventually... well, hopefully, he is phased out when better talent overtakes him.
 
Omallley said:
Corn Flake said:
Bullfrog said:
If he can produce at center, I'm all for it. However, I'm particularly interested in seeing him continue his career as a winger. This team needs a bonafide centerman, someone how's done so as an NHLer.

I think JVR on Grabbo's wing will be a great fit, with Kulemin on the other side.

Agreed with you, Bullfrog, on the bolded point. Also with CF on the line combo. MacArthur is going to be a stretch in the top 6 this year, I think...he and Connolly are two that I can see being moved - albeit closer to the deadline...
I could live without either of them, but two things to note; (i) the Leafs seem deadset on slotting JVR into the #1C position, and given their options I don't really blame them and (ii) would anyone really want Connolly? Even for a marginal playoff team, he doesn't offer a whole lot if he's not producing and if he is producing then he's likely to stay.
 
#1PilarFan said:
Omallley said:
Corn Flake said:
Bullfrog said:
If he can produce at center, I'm all for it. However, I'm particularly interested in seeing him continue his career as a winger. This team needs a bonafide centerman, someone how's done so as an NHLer.

I think JVR on Grabbo's wing will be a great fit, with Kulemin on the other side.

Agreed with you, Bullfrog, on the bolded point. Also with CF on the line combo. MacArthur is going to be a stretch in the top 6 this year, I think...he and Connolly are two that I can see being moved - albeit closer to the deadline...
I could live without either of them, but two things to note; (i) the Leafs seem deadset on slotting JVR into the #1C position, and given their options I don't really blame them and (ii) would anyone really want Connolly? Even for a marginal playoff team, he doesn't offer a whole lot if he's not producing and if he is producing then he's likely to stay.

If Connolly plays this year like he did last, then no it's unlikely he will be moved, but at least at the deadline the contract is far less of an issue.  Who knows.. maybe he bounces back. I don't see the JVR experiment lasting but that's just me and based on how these things historically pan out, so maybe Timmy gets a 2nd chance at centering the top line.
 
#1PilarFan said:
(i) the Leafs seem deadset on slotting JVR into the #1C position, and given their options I don't really blame them

I don't know if that's necessarily true.  Carlyle just said today or yesterday that it was blown out of proportion (if you can believe that in this market) that they would use JVR for sure at C - that it was just something they were toying with basically.  Doesn't sound like it's inevitable.
 
Well, it's hard to see a way out to be honest for the top line centre. It's one of JVR, Connolly or Bozak - frankly, the options are terrible.
 
#1PilarFan said:
Well, it's hard to see a way out to be honest for the top line centre. It's one of JVR, Connolly or Bozak - frankly, the options are terrible.

They're not great, no, but Bozak did a good job of riding shotgun with Kessel and Lupul last season. Obviously, to become a contender, an upgrade is needed, but in terms of next season, having him there again isn't the end of the world.
 

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