Playoffs A Possibility, Another Leafs Mid Season Slump
Posted 11:50 AM ET | Comments 1
It has been too many years since the Toronto Maple Leafs have been to the playoffs and after their loss last night are on their first 3 game losing streak of the year with Pittsburgh up next. Is this the typical slump Leaf fans have been seeing year after year that ruin our chances at the playoffs. I hope not. There are certain things the Leafs need to do in the second half of the season in order to make the playoffs.
So far this season I have loved the work of Randy Carlyle behind the bench for the Toronto Maple Leafs. The team has bought into his system, they are in the top 10 for penalty kill and top 15 for the powerplay, and actual have a positive goal differential. Some problems I have with Carlyle so far is he can be a bit stubborn at times. The fourth line definitely provides impact during a game, but way too often do I see Colton Orr and Fraser McLaren on the ice. These guys are not used to the amount of ice time they are getting. Use them as a fourth line and not a third line. We have been burnt a few times this year with the fourth line being on the ice. It is also time for the Leafs to shake up the defense. Gardiner is in the AHL and JML and Komisarek are sitting in the press box. Some defensemen have been shaky the past few games and continue to get playing time. Carlyle needs to have some team competition going, the shaky players cannot be playing shaky and still have the opportunity to play. Give one of the 3 a chance to play. Another reason to give them a chance to play is with this shortened season these players need a rest! I have seen on multiple occasions players looking sluggish on some nights.
Carlyle also needs to get on the defense and have them hit hit and hit!!!! We have big body defensemen in Phaneuf, Fraser, Franson, and Holzer and they should be punishing opposing players at the blueline and in the corners. Its either these players hit or they get skated around like pylons because they are not fast enough to make the turn and go. Phaneuf drives me crazy as I constantly see him being skated around or making the dumbest plays possible.
Moves to be made by the team between now and the end of the season on the defense are call up Jake Gardiner and send down Holzer. Phaneuf needs a smart puck moving partner to help bail him out for his mistakes. Trade Komisarek and Liles because one extra defensemen is all we need (Holzer in AHL). As soon as Morgan Rielly is finished his season get him playing with the Marlies.
On the offensive side Nonis has quite a few decisions to make who to keep and who to get rid of for next year. Steckel could be a decent centre for another team, add a draft pick to the cupboards. Need to make room for Lupul anyways. If Nonis could swing a deal for Ryan Clowe he would be a big help. When Lupul comes back do not put on the first line, put him with Kadri on the third line in order to let him get back in the flow of the game without going up against other teams top d.
Lines after Lupul comes back:
JVR-Bozak-Kessel
MacArthur-Grabovski-Kulemin
Lupul-Kadri-Frattin
Komorav-McClemmet-McLaren
Phanuef-Gardiner
Franson-Fraser
Kostka-Gunnarsson
I hope the Leafs can finish in 6th place. Play whoever the winner of the Southeast is, so that is either Carolina or Winnipeg. I believe that is there best chance of making it to second round.
Goals for the offseason if possible: Sign Perry, sign either Ryan Clowe or David Clarkson, Draft Fredirik Gauthier.
So far this season I have loved the work of Randy Carlyle behind the bench for the Toronto Maple Leafs. The team has bought into his system, they are in the top 10 for penalty kill and top 15 for the powerplay, and actual have a positive goal differential. Some problems I have with Carlyle so far is he can be a bit stubborn at times. The fourth line definitely provides impact during a game, but way too often do I see Colton Orr and Fraser McLaren on the ice. These guys are not used to the amount of ice time they are getting. Use them as a fourth line and not a third line. We have been burnt a few times this year with the fourth line being on the ice. It is also time for the Leafs to shake up the defense. Gardiner is in the AHL and JML and Komisarek are sitting in the press box. Some defensemen have been shaky the past few games and continue to get playing time. Carlyle needs to have some team competition going, the shaky players cannot be playing shaky and still have the opportunity to play. Give one of the 3 a chance to play. Another reason to give them a chance to play is with this shortened season these players need a rest! I have seen on multiple occasions players looking sluggish on some nights.
Carlyle also needs to get on the defense and have them hit hit and hit!!!! We have big body defensemen in Phaneuf, Fraser, Franson, and Holzer and they should be punishing opposing players at the blueline and in the corners. Its either these players hit or they get skated around like pylons because they are not fast enough to make the turn and go. Phaneuf drives me crazy as I constantly see him being skated around or making the dumbest plays possible.
Moves to be made by the team between now and the end of the season on the defense are call up Jake Gardiner and send down Holzer. Phaneuf needs a smart puck moving partner to help bail him out for his mistakes. Trade Komisarek and Liles because one extra defensemen is all we need (Holzer in AHL). As soon as Morgan Rielly is finished his season get him playing with the Marlies.
On the offensive side Nonis has quite a few decisions to make who to keep and who to get rid of for next year. Steckel could be a decent centre for another team, add a draft pick to the cupboards. Need to make room for Lupul anyways. If Nonis could swing a deal for Ryan Clowe he would be a big help. When Lupul comes back do not put on the first line, put him with Kadri on the third line in order to let him get back in the flow of the game without going up against other teams top d.
Lines after Lupul comes back:
JVR-Bozak-Kessel
MacArthur-Grabovski-Kulemin
Lupul-Kadri-Frattin
Komorav-McClemmet-McLaren
Phanuef-Gardiner
Franson-Fraser
Kostka-Gunnarsson
I hope the Leafs can finish in 6th place. Play whoever the winner of the Southeast is, so that is either Carolina or Winnipeg. I believe that is there best chance of making it to second round.
Goals for the offseason if possible: Sign Perry, sign either Ryan Clowe or David Clarkson, Draft Fredirik Gauthier.
They will bomb and miss by 2 points