The Leafs Centres - Some Common Sense Statistics

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

http://theleafsnation.com/2013/4/9/production-down-the-middle

I thought this was a really good look at the crop of guys we have playing down the middle, without getting too bogged down with advanced stats that I know some people are not a fan of.

It also matches what I think a lot of people around here are saying about this crop of pivots and it's nice to see that reinforced statistically.

 

[slapshot]

Ideally, it would be nice to find another centre to go in the 1-2 spots with Kadri and make Bozak a third line centre. Maybe the Leafs should attempt a Grabo and maybe Gunner package (with a second rounder if necessary to center upgrade). As I've mention here several times, I would even mind seeing the Leafs experiment with JVR or even Kessel at centre, if they could get a bonafide 1st liner to go with them. I'd prefer to leave Lupul with Kadri.

 

[Rebel_1812]

I think Bozak will leave at the end of the year.  He will want a big raise and Nonis won't give it.  I'm starting to think this is the ideal move since really Bozak is undersized and not good enough defensively for a 3rd line center and doesn't have enough offensive ability for a top 2 center.

 

[Brystine]

Kadri is a prime candidate for 'sophomore slumpitis'.

 

[Heroic Shrimp]

Kadri is a prime candidate for 'sophomore slumpitis'.

Maybe, but I'm not sure the term would apply when he played 51 games before this year and 39 so far this year.

 

[Zee]

Kadri is a prime candidate for 'sophomore slumpitis'.

Luckily Gardiner is getting his sophomore slump out of the way in a short 48 game season.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Kadri is a prime candidate for 'sophomore slumpitis'.

Luckily Gardiner is getting his sophomore slump out of the way in a short 48 game season.

I think you need to actually play to slump.

 

[Zee]

Kadri is a prime candidate for 'sophomore slumpitis'.

Luckily Gardiner is getting his sophomore slump out of the way in a short 48 game season.

I think you need to actually play to slump.

Carlyle tactics, he's seen enough in a few games to call the sophomore slump and is now letting Jake ride it out.  He'll be up for the Norris next season.

 

[Crucialness Key]

Kadri is a prime candidate for 'sophomore slumpitis'.

Luckily Gardiner is getting his sophomore slump out of the way in a short 48 game season.

I think you need to actually play to slump.

Carlyle tactics, he's seen enough in a few games to call the sophomore slump and is now letting Jake ride it out.  He'll be up for the Norris next season.

Only to finish runner-up to Phaneuf.  8) :'(

 

[Frank E]

As you can see, Grabovski has maintained a similar production rate for pretty much his entire career up to this point. The idea that he?s suddenly lost the ability to get 50% more points than he?s on pace to seems odd. The thought that it?s the result of fewer (and less accurate) shots, a different role, and much less powerplay time (7th amongst Leafs forwards, down from 4th, 3rd, and 3rd in his past three years), on the other hand, seems sensible.

I agree with this...as we've acknowledged before, Grabbo is being used defensively this year.

I've speculated it's because he's got himself a strong contract, and is less likely to pout in that role.

 

[Big Daddy]

I think that RC is actually grooming him.  He is making him commit completely to all defensive assignments.  This is awesome.  Next year plop him down on the first line with Lupul and Kessel.  He will be the fiesty point getter of last year +++ and he will be a fierce backchecker.  Datsukian.  Bet on it.  RC knows this is truly about years to come and he is  grooming him accordingly.

 

[caver]

Now that you mention it... his hair does look better lately !

 

[OldTimeHockey]

Personally, I think he needs to grow the wild hair back!





I watched Grabovski a little closer last night.

Couple things I noticed and this could be a result of him pouting due to the lack of ice time, or a result of him just not being in the game.

Despite a couple dangerous plays in OT and at the end of the 3rd, he doesn't look like he's moving his feet at all. If he doesn't have the puck he's standing in no man's land watching the play.

Also, he had a couple dumb passes at the opposing team's blueline. One was a drop pass to noone and the other was a cross rink pass that had about a 40% chance of working. Those are plays that will drive any coach mad. The opposing team's blueline is one of the worst places to give the puck away while on the rush.