The Leafs - The off season so far & Hopes/Wishes
Posted 7:13 PM ET | Comments 20
With Jake Gardiner signed and all players locked up, it's time to look at what the Leafs have done so far this off season and what I can only hope and wish for them to do now. Let's recap
New additions in their natural positions-
Leo Komarov-LW
David Booth-LW
Mike Santorelli-C
Petri Kontiola-C
Matt Frattin-RW
Daniel Winnik-C
Stephen Robidas-D
Roman Polak-D
William Nylander-RW
Players re-signed-
Jake Gardiner-D
Cody Franson-D
James Reimer-G
Peter Holland-C
Carter Ashton-C
Troy Bodie-RW
There are a few more little ones but those are the more important signings
Per www2.dailyfaceoff.com, the Leafs will look something like this opening night
JVR-Bozak-Kessel
Lupul-Kadri-Clark
Komorav-Kontiola-Frattin
Booth-Holland-Santorelli
Phaneuf-Robidas
Gardiner-Franson
Rielly-Polak
Bernier
Reimer
So we have new guys and are looking good,also, with the Leafs acquiring stats wiz Kevin Dubas as assistant GM, the Leafs look to be a new revamped team.
Wrong.
This is the same team as last year that will have the same result if not close to it. It's times leafs fans demanded a big trade or move to get our team out of the "possibly could get a playoff spot" to a serious playoff contender. I mean, I like Nonis and Dubas SO FAR, but they haven't done anything to change the way I view my team. We ARE a good team, but to make it to the playoffs and win the cup you need to be a GREAT team, and brining in decent guys to fill holes is not how one goes about making a great team. Sure we have Nylander, Gauthier, Kadri, Rielly, Granbeg etc.....young talent, but we're making a team in which it is hard for talent to grow, we give our young guys too big a job or too small of one and they never flourish, look at the talent we've given away, Seguin, Rask, they never would have flourished like they did in Toronto. That is why I believe the Leafs needs to make big trades for established players to build a dynasty for our talent to grow up in and learn in while at the same time improving themselves. That is why I believe Nonis needs to try and aquire guys like Evander Kane, Devin Setoguchi, and to keep his eye on and fight hard for guys like Stamkos and Subban, Toronto born players that when their contract ends wouldn't mind playing for their hometown. So as for the off season so far I'd say no matter how they make it sound we have defiantly followed the pattern of hole filling with above average guys in hopes of just grabbing a playoff spot, which we probably won't get. As for what I hope/wish, I hope Dave nonis does all he can to get Evander Kane, get a top line Centre (no offense to Bozak, love the guy) and A top 2 pairing defenseman to play ALONG SIDE Phaneuf, not to replace him, even if the cost is high. These are NECESSITIES if Toronto is to become the playoff Giant it's fans so desperately want it to be. Thanks for reading!
New additions in their natural positions-
Leo Komarov-LW
David Booth-LW
Mike Santorelli-C
Petri Kontiola-C
Matt Frattin-RW
Daniel Winnik-C
Stephen Robidas-D
Roman Polak-D
William Nylander-RW
Players re-signed-
Jake Gardiner-D
Cody Franson-D
James Reimer-G
Peter Holland-C
Carter Ashton-C
Troy Bodie-RW
There are a few more little ones but those are the more important signings
Per www2.dailyfaceoff.com, the Leafs will look something like this opening night
JVR-Bozak-Kessel
Lupul-Kadri-Clark
Komorav-Kontiola-Frattin
Booth-Holland-Santorelli
Phaneuf-Robidas
Gardiner-Franson
Rielly-Polak
Bernier
Reimer
So we have new guys and are looking good,also, with the Leafs acquiring stats wiz Kevin Dubas as assistant GM, the Leafs look to be a new revamped team.
Wrong.
This is the same team as last year that will have the same result if not close to it. It's times leafs fans demanded a big trade or move to get our team out of the "possibly could get a playoff spot" to a serious playoff contender. I mean, I like Nonis and Dubas SO FAR, but they haven't done anything to change the way I view my team. We ARE a good team, but to make it to the playoffs and win the cup you need to be a GREAT team, and brining in decent guys to fill holes is not how one goes about making a great team. Sure we have Nylander, Gauthier, Kadri, Rielly, Granbeg etc.....young talent, but we're making a team in which it is hard for talent to grow, we give our young guys too big a job or too small of one and they never flourish, look at the talent we've given away, Seguin, Rask, they never would have flourished like they did in Toronto. That is why I believe the Leafs needs to make big trades for established players to build a dynasty for our talent to grow up in and learn in while at the same time improving themselves. That is why I believe Nonis needs to try and aquire guys like Evander Kane, Devin Setoguchi, and to keep his eye on and fight hard for guys like Stamkos and Subban, Toronto born players that when their contract ends wouldn't mind playing for their hometown. So as for the off season so far I'd say no matter how they make it sound we have defiantly followed the pattern of hole filling with above average guys in hopes of just grabbing a playoff spot, which we probably won't get. As for what I hope/wish, I hope Dave nonis does all he can to get Evander Kane, get a top line Centre (no offense to Bozak, love the guy) and A top 2 pairing defenseman to play ALONG SIDE Phaneuf, not to replace him, even if the cost is high. These are NECESSITIES if Toronto is to become the playoff Giant it's fans so desperately want it to be. Thanks for reading!
Clark is playing again ? Awesome !!!
The fact that they upgraded their bottom six exponentially will mean the top six guys wont be nearly as burnt out and overused. So I have to disagree, I think they will be a better team this year, maybe not immensely but should be good enough to make the playoffs. As well as improving the forward ranks, the bottom six are good two way players that will play tough minutes helping the defensive side of the sme out to let bernier/Reimer shine.
Wow....at least you realize the team hasnt upgraded at all...Kontiola 3C??? lol.But your rebuild ideas are dreams. If you want guys like you say traded for then the guys going the other way would be your youth and high picks.
Winnik will be 3rd line center, which is an upgrade. Dont always need big names/trades to upgrade...
I HATE Habs fans. Weal, little cunts
Message Posted
we would get our asses handed to us..that could easily be the weekest bunch of 3rd rate players..besides of course Kessel bozak Gardener and Reiley,Who is there besides Komorov that can hit ,fight or taslen that would be miniscule at best...God help us all
This blog sucked.
Winnik will be in the line up every night.
We never gave Seguin away, we never had him to begin with
LOL leafs
Booth will be on the 2nd line over Clarkson you take that to the bank...
Nucker101, you have the audacity to LOL at the Leafs??, the Canucks are an embarrassment to Canada and their fans are pieces of garbage.
again...LOL
Nucker101 - the Canucks have never won anything. I repeat....NEVERJoke of a franchise
LOL Leafs suck
Lol
Nucks suck more lol
David Clarkson is the best!