I'm sure we are all just looking forward to this season now just finally ending, so we can look ahead to next steps. Rather than rehash all the misery of the past month or so, I thought we could possibly talk about what good came out of this season. Here's my list:
1. Emergence of Jake Gardiner. Personally, I think he might even wind up as the cream of the rookie crop, with all due respect to RNH. We could only dream of the Leafs landing a Ryan Suter in free agency to pair with him , moving Phaneuf to pair with Gunner, as a second pairing. Gardiner tops my list of the Best of 2011-12.
2. Lupul steps up. I'd love to see the Leafs find a Bob Clarke-Dale Hunter type centre to play between these guys. Is there even one around? If not, maybe Grabo gets a shot. Or you find a power forward right wing and move Kessel to center.
3. Coaching change. I didn't loathe Wilson as some did, but there was no denying the chronically 1) sloppy D, 2) bad special teams, 3) poor starts (2 goals down) and 4) goals against in first or last minute of periods.
4. Matt Frattin. Gotta really like this young guy's tenacity and skill set. His stats for a rookie are about on par with much more talked about Brayden Schenn and Tampa Brett Connolly, drafted 6th overall in the first round 2010. The kid can hit, shoot and skate. Only going to get better. I predict no sophomore jinx for him. He just needs to develop some chemistry with the right linemates, whoever that turns out to be.
5. Needs become more clear. One thing this season did was really bring to the fore the deficiencies. Beside the coaching change and the front line centre we've been talking about for ages. It also became really apparent the Leafs are lacking. Truculence and testosterone. A bonafide number one experienced goalie. A shutdown line 3 that can also provide some scoring punch. Seems pretty clear how Burkie has to remake the squad now. But can he do it? At least there are some assets in the system to work with.
Your thoughts...
1. Emergence of Jake Gardiner. Personally, I think he might even wind up as the cream of the rookie crop, with all due respect to RNH. We could only dream of the Leafs landing a Ryan Suter in free agency to pair with him , moving Phaneuf to pair with Gunner, as a second pairing. Gardiner tops my list of the Best of 2011-12.
2. Lupul steps up. I'd love to see the Leafs find a Bob Clarke-Dale Hunter type centre to play between these guys. Is there even one around? If not, maybe Grabo gets a shot. Or you find a power forward right wing and move Kessel to center.
3. Coaching change. I didn't loathe Wilson as some did, but there was no denying the chronically 1) sloppy D, 2) bad special teams, 3) poor starts (2 goals down) and 4) goals against in first or last minute of periods.
4. Matt Frattin. Gotta really like this young guy's tenacity and skill set. His stats for a rookie are about on par with much more talked about Brayden Schenn and Tampa Brett Connolly, drafted 6th overall in the first round 2010. The kid can hit, shoot and skate. Only going to get better. I predict no sophomore jinx for him. He just needs to develop some chemistry with the right linemates, whoever that turns out to be.
5. Needs become more clear. One thing this season did was really bring to the fore the deficiencies. Beside the coaching change and the front line centre we've been talking about for ages. It also became really apparent the Leafs are lacking. Truculence and testosterone. A bonafide number one experienced goalie. A shutdown line 3 that can also provide some scoring punch. Seems pretty clear how Burkie has to remake the squad now. But can he do it? At least there are some assets in the system to work with.
Your thoughts...