Yes, losing stinks, and I have to restrain myself from thrusting my head through my TV when we lose yet another OT game, but...
This is the first time that I can remember that this team has had significant young building blocks at every position.
Jonas Gustavsson is the real deal. No one can say any different now. He is a quality NHL starter and should only get better as he adjusts, and continues his work with Allaire.
Phil Kessel is a young, dynamic offensive presence with speed to burn. Contrary to all of the Savard talk, Kessel will create his own chances and elevate those around him. I fully expect Kessel to one day be the first Leaf to score 50 goals since Dave Andreychuk.
Luke Schenn is still one season removed from an impressive rookie year, and while he is suffering from the dreaded sophomore slump, he's still going to be a terrific defenceman for this team, and potential future captain.
To conclude, Brian Burke has taken a lot of heat for what has transpired thus far this season, but when you look what he has injected into our franchise in the short time he has been here, you can't help not only being impressed, but hopeful for the future as well.
Not to mention wildcards like Bozak, Tlusty, Kadri, Gunnarsson, Ryan, Blacker, Hanson, Stefanovich, Flaake and so on all potentially making this team andbecoming core palyers down the road when some of the older contracts expire and dead weight is moved out.
Is Gustav considered a Calder candidate? Because he keeps putting up number like he has recently, I think he could be in the running.
The unfortunate thing is that his numbers actually aren't very eye popping... You look at Steve Mason's calder winning numbers, and he wasn't even a lock to win it.
I don't think he would win it - too many great rookies as usual, but it would be nice to see him being considered one of the better young goalies in the league.
I wouldn't count Gustavsson as a close to a sure thing just yet. I feel very positivly about him, but goalies are such weird players that can have amazing years or even weeks, and then die off so suddenly. Boucher's record shut out streak and Raycroft's great season comes to mind. I'm a little apprehensive to count that chicken before the egg hatches.
But I absolutly agree that Kessel has every chance to be a 50g man for us. I also strongly believe the Schenn will become a dominant figure for us and a player that other forwards watch out for. He WILL get in the minds of OV Syd and Malkin in the playoffs in coming years.
When this team gets into contention in a couple years, we will have a list of players that can make a HUGE difference all on their own. Kadri will also be one of them. Can't wait for the WJC!!!
Not to mention wildcards like Bozak, Tlusty, Kadri, Gunnarsson, Ryan, Blacker, Hanson, Stefanovich, Flaake and so on all potentially making this team andbecoming core palyers down the road when some of the older contracts expire and dead weight is moved out.
I was focusing on every day NHLers' as of today. There is no doubt that there is more depth than ever before on the farm.
Not to mention wildcards like Bozak, Tlusty, Kadri, Gunnarsson, Ryan, Blacker, Hanson, Stefanovich, Flaake and so on all potentially making this team andbecoming core palyers down the road when some of the older contracts expire and dead weight is moved out.
Blacker is a kid I am really excited about watching on the big team next year. I truely believe he will be the steal of the draft. This guy has captain written all over him. Wilson was really impressed by him when durring pre-season he was yelling at KABERLE and telling him where he wonted him on the ice.
To their credit, both had inspired nicknames.. shame their play couldn't match the lofty standards of their nic's.
__________________ bWo: If you don't know, you should know...Buds WORLD Order Constitution
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The Lache Net Monster, came in as a call up when the Bruins went through some horrendous stretch of goalie injuries maybe ten years ago or so. Set the league on fire for a few games, came back to reality, and shortly thereafter disappeared back from whence he came in minor league purgatory, never to be heard from again.
The unfortunate thing is that his numbers actually aren't very eye popping... You look at Steve Mason's calder winning numbers, and he wasn't even a lock to win it.
Numbers are not the only thing taken into consideration. The blue jackets are much better in their own end. Hitch's teams play sound defensive game, while the leafs.....well...in recent years don't know what a penalty is, or how to kill one.
Numbers only go so far, the impact the player has will also be taken into consideration.
Blacker is a kid I am really excited about watching on the big team next year. I truely believe he will be the steal of the draft. This guy has captain written all over him. Wilson was really impressed by him when durring pre-season he was yelling at KABERLE and telling him where he wonted him on the ice.
Yeah, I really think he would've been a first rounder if he wasn't stuck lower on the depth chart on such a deep Windsor team. I'm glad he got Mem Cup experience, but now it's time to move in and hopefully in Ottawa he proves he is a top pairing guy. He will be a heart and soul player for us down the road.
The Lache Net Monster, came in as a call up when the Bruins went through some horrendous stretch of goalie injuries maybe ten years ago or so. Set the league on fire for a few games, came back to reality, and shortly thereafter disappeared back from whence he came in minor league purgatory, never to be heard from again.
Thanks, then I am wondering why he and Jim Carey are used as parallels to Gustavsson. Carey was 20 years old with one year in the AHL while Gustavsson is 25 with a lot more experience.
Numbers are not the only thing taken into consideration. The blue jackets are much better in their own end. Hitch's teams play sound defensive game, while the leafs.....well...in recent years don't know what a penalty is, or how to kill one.
Numbers only go so far, the impact the player has will also be taken into consideration.
Yes that's definitely true, but it's incredibly rare to have a defensive defenseman win the calder (iirc Jackman I think was an exception to this?), nor a goalie that played well but his team struggled or he has a sub .900 save percentage. That doesn't mean that I don't think he should be a strong candidate, he just doesn't have any "sexy" results yet, which are usually what it takes to win it.
Thanks, then I am wondering why he and Jim Carey are used as parallels to Gustavsson. Carey was 20 years old with one year in the AHL while Gustavsson is 25 with a lot more experience.
Not quite sure why you're confused. Punch mentioned that goalies are weird players, they can be really good and then disappear and those two are the best examples that I could think of it happening.
Agreed. I think its crazy that so many people think that what Burke has done is similar do how the Leafs have been managed before.
This retool sure has some talented young players being added to the roster.
I am coming to terms with Burkes way to build the Leafs.
And he have only just started. I thought he was made trading away picks like he did with out having a #1 in net, a captain, a 1st line centre or a solid defensman you can trust in all situations.
But this team is not built for now, it is built for the future. And I had a hard time getting over building for the future and trading away picks but he is taking a short cut and now I am fine with that.
In Burke we trust
Not quite sure why you're confused. Punch mentioned that goalies are weird players, they can be really good and then disappear and those two are the best examples that I could think of it happening.
It's a rarity and not a common occurrence. The NHL is too good of a league for that to happen very often where a goalie can come out of nowhere and stone the opposition on a regular basis.
