Which Maple Leaf will step up and fill Wellwood's spot.
Posted 7:15 PM ET | Comments 4
The Leafs receive a second blow this preseason and have lost Kyle Wellwood indefinitely as the nifty center has surgery to repair his hernia once again the same injury that sidelined him for 33 games last season, having already lost Mark Bell to suspension the Leafs must now look within there roster and see if there is a player who could step in and possibly center a second line with wingers Tucker and Ponikarovsky.
Candidates
John Pohl- He is a hard working player and does have some offensive flair.
Matt Stajan- Showed some signs of upside last season in offensive zone.
Alex Steen- Could be moved to center, in best shape of his career.
Simon Gamache- Gritty forward and former 138 goal scorer in two seasons of junior.
I have to say that out of the 4 i would like to see Steen have the opportunity to center the 2nd line and see what he could do with some regular ice time, the fact the he has come to camp bigger and stronger can only help him in the position.
The injury to Wellwood and suspension to Bell has opened two spots on the Leafs roster and Gamache looks to make the most of it and now has a good chance to stay with the Leafs when the season begins. Gamache who racked up 60+ goal seasons back to back in junior, may be ready for the new NHL but not the second line center spot. Pohl and Stajan both seem to have finishing problems around the net and are not as good passers as Steen is.
The Leafs could also look outside the organization for a forward to fill the spot but other then Forsberg ( who the Leafs dont have Cap space for at the moment), there isnt really anything out there.
Who would other Maple Leaf fans like to see centering the 2nd line?
Candidates
John Pohl- He is a hard working player and does have some offensive flair.
Matt Stajan- Showed some signs of upside last season in offensive zone.
Alex Steen- Could be moved to center, in best shape of his career.
Simon Gamache- Gritty forward and former 138 goal scorer in two seasons of junior.
I have to say that out of the 4 i would like to see Steen have the opportunity to center the 2nd line and see what he could do with some regular ice time, the fact the he has come to camp bigger and stronger can only help him in the position.
The injury to Wellwood and suspension to Bell has opened two spots on the Leafs roster and Gamache looks to make the most of it and now has a good chance to stay with the Leafs when the season begins. Gamache who racked up 60+ goal seasons back to back in junior, may be ready for the new NHL but not the second line center spot. Pohl and Stajan both seem to have finishing problems around the net and are not as good passers as Steen is.
The Leafs could also look outside the organization for a forward to fill the spot but other then Forsberg ( who the Leafs dont have Cap space for at the moment), there isnt really anything out there.
Who would other Maple Leaf fans like to see centering the 2nd line?
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It sounds like Paul Maurice's comments he is saying that Chad Kilger will fill the role.
what where his comments?
This is disappointing news for me even though I am a Sabres fan, because as a hockey fan I really like Wellwood's play. The guy's a really good player, but is also unfortunately injury pron. I'm starting to think is Wellwood really going to cut it in the NHL? Talent wise absolutely, but does not have the durability to play 82 plus for the Leafs. As of the guys that you have mentioned to fill Wellwood's spot, I would go with Stajan because the guy knows how to play center and probably has more talent than Pohl. I'm not a real fan of the makeshift center with Steen (unless he has played center before). If you don't know this, the Sabres are going through this as well. Jochen Hecht, Paul Gaustad, and or Adam Mair could be playing center for the Sabres this year. But like brisc101 said it sounds like Kilger and he knows more about the Leafs than I do. Let me add, I'm getting tired of reading Sens fans talking trash to you Leafs fans, so this year I'll be routing for you guys.
With Wellwood we had a speedy, creative, play-making centre...the closest thing we have to that to replace him is Steen. I think Steen is a lot more creative than people give him credit for...playing on a second line with better wingers (like Tucker and Poni) will allow him to show off his skills.Stajan is good but he's more of a two-way player. Not necessarily great at shutting down guys, but good on a shutdown line (if that makes sense).I like Gamache and Pohl, but don't think they should have the second line spot. I'm sure we'll see Kilger on the second line for some time as PM likes to switch it up, but Kilger would be 4th line on any other team in the NHL...having him QB our 2nd line makes us look all kinds of pathetic.