Thank you for the upgrade on defense (even though we haven't gelled as of yet, it's just a matter of time)
Also wanted to thank you for your relentless pursuit (and eventual signing) of the Monster (IMO, he will be the Leaf goalie of the future)
Now we have to address our glaring need upfront, which is obviously our offense. Yes, you dealt for a sniper in Kessel, but he is going to need a playmaker (not to mention he's not even available til sometime in November)
No one we have up front seems to be able to generate offense. IMO, the simplist answer would be to bring up Bozak and Hanson and see if they are capable of further developing the chemistry they had with Stalberg during the preseason.
If that didn't work, than you'd have to make some roster decisions. This team has no 1st line players (until Kessel arrives) Everyone else are 3rd and 4th liners. We may have some 2nd liners (at best).
The only forward that any Leaf fan should be proud of rigth now would be Lee Stempniak. He was freaking invisible last year. Ya, Stajan is the only one scoring but we all know he isn't a typical "Burke" type player.
So, if it is your intention to make the playoffs this spring, you have a lil' more work to do. And no, I am not pressing the panic button. I do realize it's only 3 games in. But, all Leaf fans knew going into this season we'd have trouble genating offense, and now it's coming to fruition.
Thank you for the upgrade on defense (even though we haven't gelled as of yet, it's just a matter of time)
Also wanted to thank you for your relentless pursuit (and eventual signing) of the Monster (IMO, he will be the Leaf goalie of the future)
Now we have to address our glaring need upfront, which is obviously our offense. Yes, you dealt for a sniper in Kessel, but he is going to need a playmaker (not to mention he's not even available til sometime in November)
No one we have up front seems to be able to generate offense. IMO, the simplist answer would be to bring up Bozak and Hanson and see if they are capable of further developing the chemistry they had with Stalberg during the preseason.
If that didn't work, than you'd have to make some roster decisions. This team has no 1st line players (until Kessel arrives) Everyone else are 3rd and 4th liners. We may have some 2nd liners (at best).
The only forward that any Leaf fan should be proud of rigth now would be Lee Stempniak. He was freaking invisible last year. Ya, Stajan is the only one scoring but we all know he isn't a typical "Burke" type player.
So, if it is your intention to make the playoffs this spring, you have a lil' more work to do. And no, I am not pressing the panic button. I do realize it's only 3 games in. But, all Leaf fans knew going into this season we'd have trouble genating offense, and now it's coming to fruition.
Patiently awaiting you next move...
You don't want to hit the panic button? Its only one game that we've been porous offensively. No need to do any brash moves after 3 bloody games.
Poni, Blake, Hagman, Stajan, Grabovksi, Stempniak - All of these guys are either obvious 2nd liners (and a pretty good case could be made that they would be solid 1st liners in a support role) OR, are either very good 3rd liners and not bad 2nd liners.
Obvious 2nd liners who could play on the 1st line as support players: Poni, Blake
Not bad 2nd liners: Stajan, Grabovksi, Hagman, Stempniak
I'd like you to find one team in the entire league that has players that scored ~60 point on their third line (Staal and Bergeron are the only 2 that I can think of that may fall into such a category - but they aren't 3rd liners).
i expected a better post from someone with 3000 + posts.
If i didnt know better i would think this is your 1st post on this website.!!!
This is the stuff I hate to read. If you have nothing to add, then why post something like this?
Back on topic, our offense was projected to be bad. But in my opinion, we're not doing too bad. We're averaging 3 goals a game? That's impressive considering our lineup.
But I think with the addition of Kessel, Burke will have to go out and trade for a better playmaker. We also can't wait until november for kessel to arrive and save us. Schenn needs to be demoted, possible to the marlies, but more realistically, the bottom pairing.
I think the pairing of Beach and White could work. All I know is that it can't be any worse.
I got a feeling that there might be a trade brewing before the penguins game on saturday night.
I actually have 10,000 + posts... 3000 + as DG93. So, I have been around long enough to see what this team is lacking.
being on HF boards does not make your view/opinion of our hockey team any more accurate; I'd rather here something like:
Played junior myself (or competitive at some time in your life)
Have coached at some minor league level
Have ran practices
Actually know various hockey systems, and not just to the depth that the commentators elude to
etc.
And watch more then the leafs + w/e team your favorite player is on.
we have quite a few second liners. what we need like you said is top line talent, kessel is a good start. hopefulyl stalberg can turn into someone good enough to play with say, kadri and kessel eventually. our forwards are too small, or play too small. i'm 5'8" and i sacrifice myself more than they do, when i play the hockey that is.
the thing is, if youre looking for him to make a significant trade and get another first liner this year he's going to have to give up something of value. we're not doing a long term rebuild, more of a retooling, so we cant really give anything up that would be of help to us in 2 to 3 years. thats kaberle, our only trading chip that could get us something significantly better than we already have. we also dont have any high picks for the last couple of years, theyre already gone.
we dont really have the assets to make something happen this year, if he can do it without sacrificing quality picks or prospects i would be very impressed.
looks like its back to the status quo leafs textbook: free agency.
