DISCLAIMER: I do not claim to know the team half as well as some of you, nor do I claim to be an expert on all things hockey. This is just an impartial observer's two cents. So no need to trace my IP and send me mail bomb's in molsen bottles or anything...although if you send me "canadian" bacon that would be awesome.
So the Leafs have had a rocky start, which unfortunately is not too uncommon these days. There have been calls for Ron Wilson's job, and I think that is premature at this point. Ron Wilson is a winning coach over his career, and all but one team that he has coached (well two counting the the Leafs at this point) have made the playoffs. The problem lies, not so much in the coaching, but in the roster itself.
I'm not the biggest proponent of having to have "star" power on a roster, but top six talent is sorely lacking on this team. Phil Kessel, while a necessary but expensive pick up, has no one to feed him the puck. Tyler Bozak is certainly not a number one, nor is Grabovski although he is having a solid year so far. He is currently on pace for 60+ points, which would be a personal best at any professional/junior level. Looking up and down this roster, it is a typical Brian Burke team with a lot of character, but what it's lacking is the elite level offensive talent on the top lines. In Vancouver, he had the Sedins, Anaheim he had Selanne, Getzlaf etc etc. Here he has Kessel. That's it. Yes I am aware of the expectations for Nazem Kadri, but at this point I don't think he is really ready for the NHL. His call up this year is out of necessity, nothing more. I do think that Burke has this team heading in the right direction, but regardless of what he says, this team is rebuilding.
Despite the problems up front, the defensive issues are the most pressing concern. Looking at the top 6 (based on games played), this team should be able to keep the opposition from running up the score. For the most part they have, although in their last four losses they've been outscored a combined 16-6. That's not acceptable for any team, especially with a back six as deep as Toronto's. What's more disturbing is that this team is ranked 3rd in shots against. So the defense is doing something right, but without offensive help, they're going to keep losing games like this, especially ranking 27th in goals per game. Simply put, the defense needs help from the fowards to take the pressure off. This is a good group, and if given the room to breathe, I'm sure they can create some quality chances. Until then, I can't see this situation changing very much.
Since my goaltending review, the numbers have gone down for Giguere but have improved for The Monster. This is a good thing, since Giggy is now out with a groin injury and Gustavsson played well tonight against the Devils. Granted it's the Devils (sorry NJ fans reading) who haven't been the club they've been in the past. Still it's back to back wins for the leafs who are close to seeing the return of Phaneuf, and with the play of Kadri tonight, things can turn around for the Leafs.
Things I'd like to see from the Leafs this season: Trade Kaberle. Yeah I know, I'm sick of hearing about it too, but let's face it the draft picks are running out, and he is your best, expendable asset. Let one of the other guys step up into his place, and trade for a top 6 center. The continued success of The Monster. Unless something happens, he is the goalie of the immediate future and he needs to play up to expectations. If The Monster plays well, and the team in front of him puts up some consistent offense, the Leafs can be a team to shake things up this year. As it stands now, they are currently sitting in 10th place, but only 2 points out of 8th. It's not impossible to think that the Leafs can put together a run and sneak into the playoffs. So, Brian Burke needs to get on the phone, and make some things happen. I know the fans have been planning the parade since 1968, but something's gotta change. Well, unless you guys like having your team golfing in April.
Go Leafs?
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