Preseason Reflection: Leafs go 6-3-0

[Reverse Flying V]

A fantastic preseason IMO, the kids have looked really good, especially Stalberg, Bozak, Kadri, and the little we've seen of Gustavsson. The future looks bright, boys.

Plus, another positive in the fact the 3 losses were all by one, and this game really was lost by ToskaLOL...

Your thoughts on the preseason?

[Newfie John]

I like how our offense played. Looks like they haven't missed a beat from last season. Overall the team defence looked very good also.

Toskala in net was certainly a disappointment.

I'd like to see our PK stats.

[Garbs]

Cautiously optimistic.

[!!TML97!!]

Everything was good except for Toskala.

[All_blueandwhite]

The emmergence on Gunnarson and Stalberg has been a welcome addition, and Bozak + Gustavsson + Wallin are proving to be valuable FA signings.

Let the Season begin

[BurkiesDogHouse]

My thoughts on preseason...

Rookies - A+

Defense - B (need time to gel)

The Monster - B+ (solely based on minimal work)

Toskala - C+ (soffffftttttt)

Powerplay - B (i like what we can potentially turn it into)

Penalty Killing - B+ (anything is better than last season)

Forwards as a whole - B- (Lots of goals but still letting too many in... too much line juggling to really see what we can put out there)

[Savvy]

Very happy with the way the youth showed up all preseason and lead the way. It's essentially the best situation possible for the Leafs...

Very worried with people like Burke and Wilson in charge the veterans will be played until it's to late to catch up for the playoffs.

[Tonka]

The Amazing: Stalberg, Kadri, Gustavsson
The Good: Bozak, Beauchemin, Komisarek, Kaberle, Blake, Rosehill
The Average: Schenn, Grabovski, Kulemin, McDonald
The Bad: Wallin, Primeau
The LOL: Tlusty, Exelby
The LMFAO, ROFL, OMFG!: Toskala

But still...Toskala> Raycroft

[lapniappe]

Well, clearly, we were better than last year (2-5-2?).

My reflections: my heck, this team is FAST. And even when sluggish, a good chunk of them still look fast. This team reminds me of the Leafs squad the year before the lockout where they were always down by the second period - they ended up winning in the third period/overtime. 1/2 of these wins were coming from behind, as well as OT/Shootout wins.

A bit of a concern (and I know this is preseason) all 3 losses - division rivals. 2 against Buffalo (per usual) and 1 against Boston. Hopefully this turns to a .500 record in the regular season (perferably over .500 because this is key to make the playoffs).

Goaltending.... Toskala needs to knock on Allaire's door first thing tomorrow with a big sign and seriously get some help. (But to be fair the defense needs to trust him and play a bit better).

But I liked what I saw.

[Jim Morrison]

Originally Posted by Tonka

The Amazing: Stalberg, Kadri, Gustavsson
The Good: Bozak, Beauchemin, Komisarek, Kaberle, Blake, Rosehill
The Average: Schenn, Grabovski, Kulemin, McDonald
The Bad: Wallin, Primeau
The LOL: Tlusty, Exelby
The LMFAO, ROFL, OMFG!: Toskala

But still...Toskala> Raycroft

Really? Also where is Gunnarsson?

[paulster2626]

I really liked Rosehill's performances. That guy came out of nowhere and made a hell of a lot of noise.

[Paris in Flames]

I think it's a bit harsh to call Grabo average. If 3 goals in 5(?) games is "average" for him then we're not paying him enough.

[Leaf Shaker]

Originally Posted by Reverse Flying V

A fantastic preseason IMO, the kids have looked really good, especially Stalberg, Bozak, Kadri, and the little we've seen of Gustavsson. The future looks bright, boys.

Plus, another positive in the fact the 3 losses were all by one, and this game really was lost by ToskaLOL...

Your thoughts on the preseason?

I know we tied our record for most wins in a preseason.

It's a strong indication of what the regular season will be like.

I think we've only had 6 wins like 3 times in the last few decades.

[HockeyAustralia]

Toskala is a freaking joke

maybe if he cared more about hockey than his man-purse collection we'd get a few wins

[!!TML97!!]

Originally Posted by HockeyAustralia

Toskala is a freaking joke

maybe if he cared more about hockey than his man-purse collection we'd get a few wins

True.

[zeke]

Reflections:

1) Leafs have enviable offensive depth. We have plenty of scoring.

2) Leafs could be one of the faster AND one of the tougher teams in the league.

3) We have quality kids not making this team at every position - Bozak, Tlusty, Hanson, Gunnarson, Oreskovic, Reimer - who could probably all play effectively at the NHL level already.

4) Toskala stinks, Gusto is the real deal.

[Ten]

Stalberg - 6 G - 3 A - 9 P
Mitchell - 2 G - 4 A - 6 P
Beauchemin - 1 G - 5 A - 6 P
Kaberle - 0 G - 6 A - 6 P
Kadri - 3 G - 2 A - 5 P
Bozak - 1 G - 4 A - 5 P
Stajan - 1 G - 4 A - 5 P
Grabovski - 3 G - 1 A - 4 P
Stempniak - 3 G - 1 A - 4 P
Hagman - 2 G - 2 A - 4 P
Blake - 2 G - 2 A - 4 P
Kulemin - 1 G - 3 A - 4 P
Hanson - 1 G - 2 A - 3 P
White - 1 G - 2 A - 3 P
Tlusty - 1 G - 1 A - 2 P
Gunnarson - 1 G - 1 A - 2 P
Allison - 0 G - 2 A - 2 P
Wallin - 0 G - 2 A - 2 P
Mikus - 1 G - 0 A - 1 P
Ponikarovsky - 1 G - 0 A - 1 P
Rosehill - 0 G - 1 A - 1 P
Slaney - 0 G - 1 A - 1 P
Komisarek - 0 G - 1 A - 1 P
Orr - 0 G - 1 A - 1 P
Schenn - 0 G - 1 A - 1 P

[Newfie John]

Originally Posted by Ten

Stalberg - 6 G - 3 A - 9 P
Mitchell - 2 G - 4 A - 6 P
Beauchemin - 1 G - 5 A - 6 P
Kaberle - 0 G - 6 A - 6 P
Kadri - 3 G - 2 A - 5 P
Bozak - 1 G - 4 A - 5 P
Stajan - 1 G - 4 A - 5 P
Grabovski - 3 G - 1 A - 4 P
Stempniak - 3 G - 1 A - 4 P
Hagman - 2 G - 2 A - 4 P
Blake - 2 G - 2 A - 4 P
Kulemin - 1 G - 3 A - 4 P
Hanson - 1 G - 2 A - 3 P
White - 1 G - 2 A - 3 P
Tlusty - 1 G - 1 A - 2 P
Gunnarson - 1 G - 1 A - 2 P
Allison - 0 G - 2 A - 2 P
Wallin - 0 G - 2 A - 2 P
Mikus - 1 G - 0 A - 1 P
Ponikarovsky - 1 G - 0 A - 1 P
Rosehill - 0 G - 1 A - 1 P
Slaney - 0 G - 1 A - 1 P
Komisarek - 0 G - 1 A - 1 P
Orr - 0 G - 1 A - 1 P
Schenn - 0 G - 1 A - 1 P

We all know about Stalberg, but how about Beauchemin and Mitchell! Wow.

[John-Eric Iannicello]

I believe I said it before, but I'll say it again I think we may see some career numbers from Beauchemin offensively with the amount of ice-time he'll get on the PP.

[Newfie John]

Originally Posted by John-Eric Iannicello

I believe I said it before, but I'll say it again I think we may see some career numbers from Beauchemin offensively with the amount of ice-time he'll get on the PP.

Agreed. I've been saying the same thing since he was signed.

[Ten]

Originally Posted by Newfie John

We all know about Stalberg, but how about Beauchemin and Mitchell! Wow.

Beauch is definitely gonna put up career numbers.

Shocking to see Poni with only a single goal to his name. Mind you, he played some of the fewest games for a regular.

[Poggemon Destiny]

Originally Posted by DAstles91

My thoughts on preseason...

Rookies - A+

Defense - B (need time to gel)

The Monster - B+ (solely based on minimal work)

Toskala - C+ (soffffftttttt)

Powerplay - B (i like what we can potentially turn it into)

Penalty Killing - B+ (anything is better than last season)

Forwards as a whole - B- (Lots of goals but still letting too many in... too much line juggling to really see what we can put out there)

Damn, is it even possible to fail based on your grading system? lol. Toskalaugh was absolutely horrendous.

[Schenn*]

The Pre season is over already?

[Caesium]

Originally Posted by Ten

Beauch is definitely gonna put up career numbers.

Shocking to see Poni with only a single goal to his name. Mind you, he played some of the fewest games for a regular.

I haven't been impressed with Poni, and I'm left wondering where exactly he fits into the lineup.

Apparently Mitchell - Wallin - Stempniak is our third line. Kulemin - Stajan - Blake is our first. Hagman - Graboveki - Ponikarovsky? Where does Stalberg fit? Something doesn't add up.

[BurkiesDogHouse]

Originally Posted by Poggemon Destiny

Damn, is it even possible to fail based on your grading system? lol. Toskalaugh was absolutely horrendous.

Im giving most the benefit of the doubt as it is pre-season still. I like to stay somewhat optimistic before we actually play games that mean anything.