If your a leaf fan, you have to wonder who will be number one between the pipes in the next couple years. Lets go through the current goalies the leafs pocess. (Toskala) signed by ex GM John Ferguson. With out a doubt leafs number one goalie at this time. But you have to ask yourself ,is he the right goalie to get the leafs into the playoffs and then deeper into the playoffs in the next coming years. The leafs have not seen any post season play for awhile. Toskala, since he has been number one, has had slow starts and never seems to get into the groove until around christmas or after.The leafs being a young team cant afford early losses, those loses have cost them playoff time the last two or three years. Toskala is not consitent in shootouts and no matter what your opinon is on shootouts, the leafs could have been in the playoffs the last couple of years if they had gotten those extra bonus points. Also you need a goalie who can steal games for you, Toskala has yet to do that.
(Gerber) Picked up in the waiver draft from Ottawa, When i learned about this move, i thought to myself why? okay (Toskla) needs surgery, they have Cujo, they also have Pogge in the minors?Leafs are not going to make the playoffs they are going to come up short like they have in the three years why bother? Why not just finish the season with Cujo as your starter and use Pogge in as many games as you can.
Is Gerber being looked at as the Leafs future number one, Will the leafs try to unload (Toskala)? or will they sign Gerber and have him challenge for number one next season. Gerber has looked soso so far, and this 3 game suspenison has not helped his cause, but does he deserve a shot next year. Ottawa gave up on Gerber, but there is more problems in Ottawa than goaltending, but thats another story for another day. Lets face it you can't have (Toskala) and (Gerber) on the same team, someone has to go, but will the leafs use both number ones and then try unload one. when they got a decent offer.
( Cugo) signed by the leafs as a back up to (Toskala) and thats what (Cujo) wants and thats what he should be. Weather its with the Leafs or not doesn't matter. Could retire or could stay on or could become goalie consaltant for leafs or some other team.
(Pogge) Currently with the Marlies and thats wher he should stay he is not ready for Prime time , not even as a back up.Pogge has been given a fair chance to prove himself in exhibition and in regualr season games and he is not there yet. One more year with the Marlies wont hurt him, he will be ready in sure as a back up in 2010/ 2011 season.
Ok having said all this, with all this uncertainty, who is out there?, who is available to the leafs?. Who is willing to come to the Leafs as a free agent or through trade to tend goal for the next two or three years while us Leaf fans wait for Pogge to be number one.
You only have to look at this season to see a couple of potentials.
(Clemmeson) New Jersery farm team. does that name ring a bell, it should, he was with the Leafs last year but signed on with New Jersery in the off season, he decided his old stomping grounds was a better fit.When Marty Brodeur went down he came in and held the fort. All the critics figured New Jersey would go down but Clemmeson proved them wrong. But was rewarded with a trip back to the minors when Mr. Brodeur returned. Mr Clemmeson deserves a new shot in the NHL either with New Jersey or with some other team.
(Tim Thomas) Free agent next year, currently number one with Boston. Fat chance!! there is no way Boston will part with this guy. He has stole games for Bosotn and remember thats what you need to sucseed,Boston has a lot of depth in goal, (Manny Fernadaz) as back up another Free agent this summer and also Tuuka Rask in the minors, who in my opinion will be ready either next year or the year after to be Thomas's back up. Manny will probally be the odd man out there.
( Manny Fernadaz) should the Leafs go after him ? why, he is no better than what they have now. wouldn't make any sense.
(Dwayne Roloson) Number one with the oilers, Can the Oilers afford to keep this guy? do they want to keep this guy? he is getting on in years, but this guy is a playoff goalie. The leafs could go after this one, he could step in and assume the numer one spot and then step aside when Mr. Pogge is ready and perhaps finish his career as a backup, and also assume the role as a teacher for Pogge. Mr Roloson would be a good role model for Pogge.
Finally there are about 30 UFAs goalie out there, including Khabibulin among others. .Brian Burke will have to take a look at what he has and whats available through free agents or through trade, or maybe he will stick with what he has. Sometimes the best deals are the ones you don't make. With all the cap space the Leafs have for next year, money is not a issue. Will the Leafs be patient with Toskala or Gerber or will they look else where and take a gamble on someone else. Is there a Ed Belfour or Cujo in his prime out there, they were the only 2 goalies who in recent years led the leafs deep into the playoffs. Or will they just wait for Pogge and hope that he will be there tender of the future.
(Defence)
( Tomas Kabrele) With out a doubt, the biggest question mark as we head into the off season, will the leafs unload Tomas Kabrele.Now lets remember Tomas has a no trade contract,but because the leafs didn't make the playoffs, there is that one month window thats opens i believe starting the June draft. I am sure Brian Burke will look at all offers fpr his services.Tomas has always been a Leaf and I am sure would love to stay. However with some good free agents out there,and with also Tomas's big contract. I am sure Mr. Burke will try to move him. As a GM you dont try to unload players (excpecialy defenceman) for just the sake of change.But Tomas play of late has been weak ecpecially in the corners and also around his own net. He is not tough enough and we all know Mr. Burke loves toughness. I mean who doesnt. Even with Ron Wilson as the coach Tomas's play has not inproved. I will however cut Tomas a little slack here, he has been injured , but still he is too inconsitent in his own end. I guess Tomas's only strong points would be his ability to make strong tape to tape outlet passes from his own end and his work on the powerplay. There is not many better than him when making a long lead pass from his own end to a forward hanging out a the other blueline. He has good control on the powerplay in the other teams end but passes off way too much when he should be shooting. Tomas once in awhile, will jump up in the play and has scored some key goals.But that too doesn't happen enough. I would have to think the leafs will move him if able.This time, for the sake of change is good.
(Paval Kubina) Here's another guy with one of those No trade contracts. Pavel is a slow starter, who seems unintrested, it seems his play doenst get better till it gets closer to the trade deadline.Pavel is a little stronger in his own end and a little tougher in front of his own net than (Kabrele), for all that and his strong shot from the point I would keep him. Pavel just needs a wake up call earlier in the season. Sometime on the bench or in the pressbox, or as we like to call it the DOGHOUSE. Ron Wilson is the just the type to do it. Just look at Ian White. Should Mr. Burke move Pavel only if the price is right
(Ian White) Undoubtly the Leafs best defenceman this year and why?. The DOGHOUSE !!! Ron Wilson did not like what he saw in Ian at the begining of the season and he sat him. If there was an award for Doghouse come back player of the year, Ian wins it hands down. Ian gives it every shift, he is a pleasure to watch, moves the puck very well, makes nice long accurate pasess from his own end,(Kabrele's replacement) and despite his size,his toughness is second to none, (kabrele's replacement). He also shoots the puck well. This has been undoubtly Ian's best year and i would predict more to come as a Leaf. i would be very surprised if Brian Burke moved this guy and also very disapointed. Ian is a keeper.
(Mike Van Ryan). I like this guy, if we could only keep him on the ice. He kind of reminds me of Carlo Colaiacovoin in that sense. He is tough in his own end, very good puck movement and would be a very good role model for Mr. Luke Schenn. A defencemans defenceman, i belive is the right term to use, thats why he is a good role model for Luke. I hope Mike sticks around for another year and Mr. Burke doesn't move him. i am sure Mike would love to prove he his able to get the job done for the Leafs. Mike is a keeper.
(Jeff Finger) Jeff is a tough call, it's hard to put a finger on it (no pun intended) he's all thumbs in his own end ( again no pun intended). i have no doubt Jeff's plus minus is a little more minus, Jeff also has a little trouble moving the puck through the neutral zone.Heis hands down the Leafs worst defenceman(ok no more puns) I think he should have been in Mr. Wilson's doghouse, but thats just me. Anyways Mr. Burke move him !!
(Luke Schenn) Well now finally we have, Mr Schenn the rookie.Lets give Coach Ron Wilson credit here, he said he would only keep Luke up in the pros if he could give him lots of ice time and Luke answered the bell. Luke logged a lot of ice time this year and preformed very well. I mean he made mistakes but he is only eighteen.the kid does everything, including the odd fight, also got to love his toughness.Would Mr.Burke trade Luke? " If someone offered me 10 first round picks, Lukes on the next plane out of here" Does that sound like he would move him, doubt it. Luke is a future leader of this club and will remain a Leaf for a long time. Cliff Fletcher your a genious. The best move Cliff has made since he got Doug Gilmour.Luke is a KEEPER !!!
There you have it folks, the Leafs top six defenceman, honourable mentions to Jonas Frogren {keeper) Jeff Fingers replacement ? , Staffen Kronwall (keeper) and also Anton Strallman(keeper) . Hey!! these three guys our Sweedes. Is there a future Borje Salminh here? Maybe?
Ok who's out there. let me see, who would play defence for the blue and white. There is about 40 defenceman who are UFA this year .From Bouwmeester to Aucoin, take your pick . Wouldn't Bouwmeester or Aucoin look good i n a Leaf uniform, of course they would. It's not a questiom of money for the Leafs its a question of the right deal at the right time.
Before we look at the Leaf forwards this past season, we have to remind ourselves that this team didn't have that top gun or franchise player, they needed. To be sucessfull in the NHL, you should have a top forward, a top defenceman and a standout goaltender. But as we know this is a rebuilding year for the Leafs, not just an excuse saying" oh we are rebuilding" no an actuall bonafied rebuild. Brian Burkes message for next year is quite clear. The leafs want to make the playoffs next season. I beleive it will come down to who is available (free agents) and a couple of trades here and there. I am also starting to see a trend here, Mr. Burke is starting to bring USA born players on to the roster. Brian just signed two USA college kids, Chris Hansen and Tyler Bozak and also signed Jeff Hamiliton. Now although Lee Stempinak was brought in by Cliff Fletcher, will he be on the Leaf roster next year ?. Dont get me wrong here they are qood signings. Which brings us to Mr. Blake.
( Jason Blake)
Jason didnt sit to well with Coach Ron Wilison early in the season and spent sometime in the Doghouse. When Jason signed with the Leafs a couple of years ago, he was in my opinon a floater. This year I have seen a different Jason Blake, that time in the doghouse helped. Jason is truely a remarkable player, he is fast and has a good scoring touch. His play in his own end has inproved as well. Dominqe Moore had a lot to do with Jason's sucsess this season, they both worked well together. Unfortunalty Mr. Moore was shufflled off to Buffalo Now Jason's play has tailed off again and thats 'the only knock I have against Jason is that he must have good players around him to get him going. Jason needs to do some soul searching and decide if he wants to be a leader out there and set a good example for the younger players or does he just want to move on. I hope the leafs keep Blakey and Jason finds himself.
( i would have liked to have given Jason an A for effort, but i have to give him a genorous Bplus)
(B+)
(Alexei Ponikarovsky) better known as Poni
Poni had a long friendship going with Nik antripoff and when playing with Nik at times they seemed to work well together, But thats in the past. New Coach Ron Wilson only used them together from time to time and looked for other ways to get the 2 peas in the pod heading in the right direction. I guess that Mr. Wilson was looking for more consistance play from them. At the trade deadline Nik was dealt to the Rangers. Poni's play this year has been on again off again. Poni is a big boy 6 ft 4 but doesnt use his size to his advantage, He is a good skater and can score at times, but needs to be more rough around the edges. I will think the Leafs will try to move him due to the fact that he lacks toughness.Trade bait? maybe
(C)
(Matt Stajan)
Matt has defintally inproved this year, he has bulked up in size and has looked a little more grittier. In the past Matt didnt look 6ft 1 he looked much smaller and was banged around all the time by opponents, Matt spent a lot of time on his kiester. Now he is actually doing more of the aggresive play and using his size and strength to his advantage. Matt has scored some timely goals this season and is a better player for it. Matt is 25 years old now and i hope he has esatblished himself as a leaf. The best is yet to come from Matt. Matt is a keeper.
(B)
(Mikhail Grabovski)
There are a lot of words that come to mine when describeing Mik's play, flashy is one of them. he kind of reminded me of a waterbug, darting here and there on the ice surface. Mik craves the puck and untill about midway into the season, wanted it too much.The term Puck Hog comes to mind, it was like watching ex Leaf Sergi Berzin.Also earlier in the season he was a liability in his own end. However is play had inproved and has been a steady forward for the club. i am unsure what Mr. Burke will do with Mik, other then look at offers for him. Trade bait maybe?
( B-)
(Nikolai Kulemin)
There is a lot of good things i like about Nik, strong on the puck,good playmaker, tough in the corners, good positional play. i could go on on .Nik at 6ft1 and at 22 years of age is a good hockey player and easy to watch. I would predict that Nik will even get better as he gets older. There is no negative here only positive. I would like the Leafs to hold on to this guy. A great asset to the squad. Nikolai is a keeper.
( B+)
(John Mitchel)
John had spent a good portion of his career with the Marlies, but got his shot this year with the big club.John is 6ft 1 and 24 years old. As the season progressed he took advantage of some well deserved ice time and got better. John is a good playmaker and has pocketed some nice goals. I believe John will remain with the big club next year.John is a keeper.
(B)
(Lee Stepniak)
Lee was brought onto the club via trade with St.louis, going the other way was accident prone defenceman Carlos Coliavaco and forward Thomas Steen. Lee is 6ft and is 26 years old. Lee was brought in for his scoring ability and speed. Although Lee's speed is up to par , he has a little trouble finishing around the net and thus disapointing as a far goal scoreing. I would hope if Lee remains with the club next year, he can inprove on that. Trade bait ? maybe
(C)
(Niklas Hagman)
Niklas is a hard nosed forward who chipped in 22 goals and 20 assists to finish the season, at 6ft and 29 years old, he is strong on the puck and has no trouble throwing his weight around. i would think the leafs will hold on to this one. He would make a good role model for the younger players. Niklas is a keeper.
(B)
(Jamal Mayers)
Jamal is 6ft 1, 214 lb forward and at age 34, seems to lack intrest, sometimes he looks like he is there and sometimes he dont. Jamal chipped in 7 goals and 9 assists. Not very good production considering he played 71 games for the club. i would suspect Jamal will be moved if anyone wants him.Perhaps for a bag of pucks. Definete Trade bait !!!
(C-)
(Brad May)
May day!!! May day!!! Brad was brought in because the Leafs were getting pushed around. Brad pushed back. Brad likes to send a definete message to the other team. He served his role very well Also a very good team player in the locker room and a good role model for younger players. Altough he is 37 years of age, i believe he still has a couple good years left in him. Brads a keeper if they can sign him.
(B)
Honorable mentions to Jeff Hamilton who looked good the few games he was there. Also to Boyd Devereaux, Boyd was a mainstay on the team last year, but spent most of this year with the Marlies, I would imagine at age 30 he will move on and try to catch on with another club. USA college Chris Hansen made his debut with about 5 games left in the season. He looked ok, i would imagine he will start with the Marlies next season.
Ok who's out there, UFA's. Its seems to be no secret that Brian Burke is intrested in the Sedin twins, they might be available depending on how deep the Canucks go in the playoffs. My pick would be to pry Rick Nash out of Columbus and sign him long term. He would be that missing ingredient that the Leafs need up front. I am sure the Leafs could package up something or wait untill he becomes a free agent. From the Goal out, I am sure Brian Burke will want to put his stamp on the club, there will be a lot of changes for next season.
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