Blue_StFX

"http://theleafer.blogspot.com"

Moncton, NB • Canada • 23 Years Old • Male

The Importance of Toughness

There are many variables that must be accounted for within an NHL team if they wish to compete for the Stanley Cup. The most important of these qualities can include offensive/defensive awareness, athletic ability and toughness. In the past few years, I have been trying to justify every move that Brian Burke has made with the Leafs. For the most part, it has been quite appealing on what has transpired throughout his tenure, but there is one thing that has surprised me most.

Before Burke was with the Maple Leafs, I personally believed that pure offensive talent was the most important feature of an NHL franchise. Not to take away from a solid defence or spectacular goaltending, but I had always believed that offensive abilities were to be the number one asset in any organization. With Burke, offense is of great importance, but he has also introduced me to another important aspect of a team. That aspect is toughness. Burke has continuously addressed the fact that toughness is as important to a club as it's offensive abilities.

At first, I was skeptical of this path that was chosen for the Leafs, but eventually I accepted it purely on the fact that "it couldn't get any worse, so why not?!". It was in the conference finals of the eastern conference this year that I finally came to accept the fact that toughness is a must for any contender. Case in point, the Philidelphia Flyers doing what Washington and Pittsburgh could not do... defeat the Montreal Canadiens. It was in game 1 of the series that I realized that the toughness factor was very essential for taking the next step. This feature was lacking in teams like Montreal, Pittsburgh and Washington.

With the way the Leafs are looking now, it seems that the Brian Burke blueprint may finally begin to pay off. I believe it will be this year that determines the future of Burkes tenure with the Toronto Maple Leafs. If the club fails to make the playoffs, but remains out of the top 10, he may have one more year to push for the playoffs, but if the team gives up another top 10 pick in the Kessel trade, I believe it will be all over for Burke(along with Wilson) in Toronto.

I was inspired to create a post focusing on the importance of toughness from the top 10 toughest hitters special on TSN in the past days.

(http://watch.tsn.ca/nhl/clip321147#clip321147)


The list is as follows:

10. Niklas Kronwall
9. Darius Kasperitis
8. Dion Phaneuf
7. Brian Marchment
6. Rob Blake
5. Cam Neely
4. Dennis Potvin
3. Wendel Clarke
2. Eric Lindros
1. Scott Stevens

Leave a Comment

You must be logged in to leave a comment.