Quinn is a good coach IMO, but a bad GM. He traded away a lot of our young talent to get used-up/has-beens. And I'll agree with you that Burke is a good GM, and maybe Wilson is a good coach but he isn't working out in T.O.
Toronto Maple Leafs...
- Thread starter 3.0charlie
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I didn't read the link, but i'm starting to think that Kessel could be a large part of the problem. 1st off, his first game, he rocks. Then it's slowly downhill from there. He turns over the puck more than any other Leaf, from what i see. He's got a wicked release, and good skating-skills...but he doesn't finish hits, and is the easiest guy to pickpocket the puck from. Ok..that's his problem..now where it turns into the Leafs' problem. He was the Messiah..the answer to our offensive-problem prayers. Well..the team thrived on that.....for the 1/2 dozen games where he did perform. Now he doesn't score, doesn't make good passes, is still selfish with the puck on PP, and sucks in any defensive situation. I don't know how many times he's been in front of Tosk or Jonas, and just stands there as the other team skates circles around him, leading to a scoring chance or goal. Right now, the only praise i have for him, is he doesn't take many penalties. Orr's getting on my last f***in' nerve. Komasarik is tough enough to play the tough-guy role, Mayers is tough, Beauchemin's no slouch, Exelby has heart, and can scrap..Schenn can scrap. If Orr used his punch-drunk brain, he might know when and when not to get rough and/or start fights...i cringe everytime he gets on the ice.."here comes another penalty"! Stajan could use a benching, and i think Kessel could too. He may be the teams "Superstar", but that doesn't spare him from accountability. He's still young, i don't know if he was ever benched in Boston...but i think 2 games in the press-box here, could show him that his sh!t does stink, too. /rant over...i need a drink!
From the games I have seen the Leafs play, Kessel gets lots of shots but they are not good ones. Does a lot of skating with the puck (some would call hogging), but does not get quality scoring chances. I think its a combination of scouting by opposing teams and Kessel trying to do too much himself. This is a product of being a speedy sniper on a team without much talent or strong setup man.
A few pucks will go in for him and all will be well again. In the end, his numbers may not be what they were in Boston, but may be respectable for a player who missed a bunch of time and plays on a team witout many scoring options.
A few pucks will go in for him and all will be well again. In the end, his numbers may not be what they were in Boston, but may be respectable for a player who missed a bunch of time and plays on a team witout many scoring options.
Problem is every opponent knows he is the 1 star player the Leafs have so they can just focus on him and shut him down. I watch basically every game and he has 0 room to maneuver and he doesnt like to pass so he takes bad shots. Many other teams have at least 3 stars that can put the puck in the net at anytime but the Leafs have no one. Until he learns to pass when he is covered he is going to have problems.
Looking forward to seeing Bozak tonight. He goes on the Kessel line.
Looking forward to seeing Bozak tonight. He goes on the Kessel line.
Cujo retirement right now. Can watch live here NHL Network Online - Toronto Maple Leafs: Curtis Joseph Press Conference - 01/12/10
Bozak wasn't tearing it up in the minors.
I know, but the guys that come up from the Marlies play like it's the last game of their life. He could make an impact you never know. We need something lol
So, there..it is "his" problem. Every other team in the league has the same problem with their "best player". Every sniper/puck shooter has to contend with this.
Some classic example:
1.Chicago- Kane
2.Rangers-Gaborik
3.San Jose'- Thornton, and i hate to say it, but Heatley :blarg:
4.New Jersey- Parise
5.Washington- Ovechkin
6.Pittsburgh- Crosby
7.Vancouver- the Sedins..especially Henrik
8.Isles- Tavares- although not having the greatest year, he's damn good and teams always try to cover him.
9.Calgary-Iginla
10.Atlanta- Kovalchuk
All these guys get singled out in the opposing-teams locker rooms. One thing the Leafs are good at lately, is breaking other teams slumps/losing streaks. They're very kind in this regard. :angry2: I have no doubt they'll turn it around, but it'll be too little too late..as usual. If they could have showed some consistancy this season..they could/should have made the playoffs, even though it's just a "rebuilding" year.
Seriously though, the Leafs can't come out of the corners with the puck to save their lives and they call up Bozak.
Go to the Marlies website and look who's leading the team: André Deveaux
He's got the most goals on the team, the most points on the team and he's got the most penalty minutes. Despite what anyone might say, that kid can play hockey if you let him. I know, I coached him a bit. His problem has been that he's been cast in a fighter's role since the minors and to be honest, he can fight ok, but he's not really a role fighter. (He's actually a really nice guy with a good sense of humour).
Burke wants hard nosed players who'll throw some hits, take some hits and get into the corners and come out with the puck, Deveau IS that kind of player and if you give him the chance to play more than 3 minutes in an NHL game, or don't simply send him out saying "Go fight that guy over there", I am pretty sure he would be a surprise.
Cheers!
'nuff said
Not sure how you can compare a team like pittsburgh or washington to the Leafs. Malkin, Semin, Backstrom, etc hardly equal Stajan or Hagman lol
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