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5 Best Things About This Season

S

slapshot

New member
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...


 
slapshot said:
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...
Click to expand...
My god has the Gardiner hype gotten out of control. You really think he's shown us enough to justify thinking he'll be better than RNH who will most likely be a 90+ point two way centre?
 
ontariojames said:
slapshot said:
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...
Click to expand...
My god has the Gardiner hype gotten out of control. You really think he's shown us enough to justify thinking he'll be better than RNH who will most likely be a 90+ point two way centre?
Click to expand...

This.

Gardiner was never pegged to be a great offensive player, despite his skating ability and apparent hockey IQ. The most likely scenario for him, I would guess, would be topping out at 30-35 points, and that's in good year. Maybe he can vault into the 40-point range with the right ice-time and right partner, who knows, I'm pretty sure we don't have the next Scott Niedermayer here.

And there's nothing wrong with that, Gardiner is going to be a good player, I'm confident in saying that. But superstar? I highly doubt it.
 
I think that the most telling thing about the list is that #5 on the list of the best things about this season can basically be read as "The various ways in which the team sucked this year".

Although, that said, I'd probably slide Phil Kessel's growth somewhere on there and maybe give Frattin a little less credit for outscoring guys he's more than four years older than.
 
Gunnarsson - solid stay at home type of defensemen with decent offensive upside. Could floursish under Carlyle.
Gardiner - kind of Kaberle-like emergence right from the camp, solid first year, flashes of great offensive rushes
Lupul - quite unexpected revival of his career, good chemistry with Phil Kessel
Kessel - may become the first Leaf to score 40 goals and 80 points since Mats Sundin many, many years ago - that alone is impressive accomplishment. Also, the only Leaf in more than decade to finish in the League TOP10 scoring
Gustavsson - he was put on the bench in January 2011 as Reimer finished the season, in training camp he was seriously threatened by Scrivens, he seemed to be done and despite all that he rocked in January and in a certain way rocks right now, too. He is also likely to win our own MrT Man of the Match contest, which should be worth of something.

HM (not exactely Leafs but closely related): Marlies - in many ways 1) lots of individuals such as Mueller, Holzer, Scrivens, Owuya showing some real promise, 2) as a group they may have a decent shot to win it all, 3) the Leafs finally may have strong development program and coach to run it.
 
1) Kessel and his 3rd straight 30 goal season on a garbage team
2) Lupul and his playmaking, I truely believe he hurt his shoulder from passing the puck to Phil, not the hit from Krieji lol jk
3) Mediocre Goaltending, Having for combined 7 shutouts on a lousy defensive team is pretty good. Just stop giving up the easy goals.
4) Coaching Change
5) After Gionta's hit to Reimer, Now Gionta is out with a season ending injury, Karma's a *****  ;D
 
Saint Nik said:
I think that the most telling thing about the list is that #5 on the list of the best things about this season can basically be read as "The various ways in which the team sucked this year".

Although, that said, I'd probably slide Phil Kessel's growth somewhere on there and maybe give Frattin a little less credit for outscoring guys he's more than four years older than.
Click to expand...

Was going to point out the Frattin thing. I wouldn't exactly call him a "kid" either. Unless you happen to be in your 60s then I suppose thats not strange.
 
5 Best Things About This Season

1.  It will eventually end
2.  I've rekindled my passion for waffles
3.  The opening of Wendel Clark's (because I deserve to Wendel size my fries)
4.  The thought of Burke and Cherry punching each other in the face in a barn somewhere
5.  Mats Sundin Ceremony. First time in years the Leafs had a real centermen at center ice

 
1. Lupul and Kessel - the dynamic duo this year
2. The start of the season - when we could brag for a few weeks
3. Gus - takes a kicking from everyone and keeps going. How can you not like this guy (I am not commenting on his performance here .
4. The apparent emergence of some decent prospects on the Marlies.
5. The hope developing that we could end up in a lottery position and maybe win it - although history shows that should we actually win it, it will be announced that this year the lottery winner moves down 5 spots.
 
Lupul/Kessel duo was pretty fun to watch and Bozak rebounded.

Jake Gardiner played significant minutes responsibly, pretty darn impressive.

Marlies on course for a good season, a 'bodes well' nod for the pipeline.

Jonas Gustavsson played a whole season and gave everyone else heart problems in one way or another.

Knock on wood, Matthew Lombardi kept his head up.
 
ontariojames said:
slapshot said:
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...
Click to expand...
My god has the Gardiner hype gotten out of control. You really think he's shown us enough to justify thinking he'll be better than RNH who will most likely be a 90+ point two way centre?
Click to expand...
I could care less about hype. I base my assessment on skill set. The second half of this year, he's been the Leafs best defenceman. How many rookie defencemen do you say that about? He has exceptional skating and puck handling skills. For the most part, a high hockey IQ, and has been decent in his own end. The only drawbacks I've seen so far have been: 1) the occasional gaffe, which I think ironically comes from him being so cool and confident that he sometimes under-estimates a situation and thinks he has more time than he actually has and players surprise him. Experience will teach him how to avoid that. 2) Sometimes caught out of position in own end. I find this usually happens when he's pair with Schenn or Komi. 3) Get shot through to net. He improved that quite a bit in the second half, when all his goals have come.
As for hype. I don't deny RNH is a very talent young player, but you are already projecting him at 90+ points as a two-way player. True he's averaging close to a point a game, and should improve as he (and the team, linemates) matures. But after a hot start, he's cooled considerably. 9 points in his last 20 games. Granted he had an injury that might have slowed him. But to automatically conclude he's 90+ points written all over him, I think is a bit early as well.
My point was not to knock RNH, but I really do think Gardiner will develop into an absolutely top flight NHL defenceman. When you say that, people immediate say oh, you're saying he's going to be the next Scott Niedermeyer or Nick Lidstom or something like that. Skill set wise I don't think he's that far off. Will he become as savvy as those guys, only time will tell. Personally, I think he's the best prospect that came through the system in a long time. Since Wendel, I would say.
You can call me crazy if you want. And, projecting young players is pretty tough, but I really don't see anything except injury from stopping him into developing in a very coveted player. 
 
1)  It's almost over

2)  Nutman, once again, was wrong but I look forward to seeing him in September get mad at all the doubters for next year because he 'sees a team that will surprise everyone.' 

3)  We should get a good pick... although, we will probably win 4 in a row to screw that up.

4)  The Kulemin hype machine has worn off.  Seriously, that drove me mad last season.

5)  Only 1 more year until we have cap space again.
 
Chazz-Micheal Liles said:
Sarge said:
Erndog said:
5)  Only 1 more year until we have cap space again.
Click to expand...

Bah... We'll screw that up too.
Click to expand...

I thought we had plenty of cap space this off season. Burke screwed it up by bringing two stiffs on board in Lombardi and Connoly.
Click to expand...

Plenty?

http://www.capgeek.com/charts.php?Team=4

We have about $6.5M and that DOESN'T include Kulemin, Frattin, Franson, and a goalie.  It's basically nil once those gutys are signed at this point.

Team L.A.C.K (Lombardi, Armstrong, Connolly, and Komisarek) are really killing our cap space.
 
1. Kessel taking the next step. 

2. Lupul providing the team with a second option and relieving some pressure off Kessel.  We finally have two-thirds of a good first line.

3. Gustavsson.  I predicted in the off-season that he would challenge Reimer for the starter's job and perhaps take hold of it come mid-season.  He has his soft moments, but he has persevered.

4. Gardiner emerging pretty much out of nowhere.

5. Burke actually holding on to our 1st. 
 
Erndog said:
Chazz-Micheal Liles said:
Sarge said:
Erndog said:
5)  Only 1 more year until we have cap space again.
Click to expand...

Bah... We'll screw that up too.
Click to expand...

I thought we had plenty of cap space this off season. Burke screwed it up by bringing two stiffs on board in Lombardi and Connoly.
Click to expand...

Plenty?

http://www.capgeek.com/charts.php?Team=4

We have about $6.5M and that DOESN'T include Kulemin, Frattin, Franson, and a goalie.  It's basically nil once those gutys are signed at this point.

Team L.A.C.K (Lombardi, Armstrong, Connolly, and Komisarek) are really killing our cap space.
Click to expand...

I was talking about the off season that's just passed.
 
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