Toronto Maple Leafs

[armandtanzarian]

I know, Ironic I start this thread but in here there is alot of smart people and i really would like to get some personal opinions on the status of this team. I am not flaming or trying to start shit i genuinely want to read some more opinions. I have read a lot in the last few days about this team. Some good some bad. Give me some thoughts on the general outlook and present situation. Is Burke really the right man? Will or should, Wilson be fired? Besides Kessel, are there really any other top 6 players? Versteeg has proven excellent in a supporting role when not in the spotlight, will he or can he be a top line guy and produce all season long? Would a coach who brings a trap style make a drastic change? Play to a system instead of trying to be an offensive style team without the great offense?

[Shep]

The players suck. Don't shoot.

[inferno31]

The Defense and The Goaltending have been there, the offence hasn't. Its strange to see whats happening now which is all lines not clicking. We started the season with 4 of 4 lines going, and we now have 0 of 4 lines going. It is the responsibility of obviously the top two lines to deliver offense, but the 3rd and 4th line guys aren't doing their share even (albeit a lesser share). Wilson has a proven winning pedigree, and I don't doubt hes a great coach. However, I'm not sure hes the coach for this team, give him talent and he'll give you great results. However we aren't there yet, so it seems to be a decision of sticking it out with Wilson till we are, or getting a coach that'll get more out of this current group. As for Burke, he said he builds from the net out, in 2 years I can see how our Goaltending and Defense have improved quite a bit. Considering especially what he was given to start with. So hes done 2/3rds ish of the stuff he said he would, so I wouldn't yet consider replacing him. Hes not the best in the game, but hes among the better of them.

The current problem is everyones gripping the sticks too hard, too anixious jumping up too early, doing too much just to get those goals and they aren't coming. Kessel needs space, and Bozak isnt creating any for him. Versteeg is the same way, he needs a center that can make space, and its not something we have two of, let alone even one.

[Mike]

Let me preface with this: it is still too early to draw any conclusions. However:

Burke's idea of franchise building is the antithesis of what I would do. I have, since before the Kessel trade, yielded my (admittedly amateur) opinion to Burke's method. Though I've never really believed it was the "right" way to build a team I've realized he's much smarter (and a hell of a lot more experienced) than I am.

I know this is far from a novel thought and every talking head will be espousing this idea since it's quite convenient given the Leafs are struggling, but I vehemently believe in building from the basement up. As fans we have no real input, but, I gotta say, I'm conflicted. Should I continue ignoring my personal team-building ideologies or should I start giving Brian the JFJ treatment?

To say the Rask trade left a bad taste in my mouth would be an understatement. Same goes for the Toskala acquisition. Etc/ad nauseum. That being said, I've refrained from joining the lynch mobs that Toronto hockey fans often transform into. I think I'll wait and see how the rest of the season unfolds before I break out my pitchfork. Sorry Kyle, but that's the best I've got. Must be nice to be a fan of a functioning franchise. I am envy.

[Robin Hood]

I actually made a blog post yesterday about the Leafs' system Kyle. Read it if you will, it gives my opinion what I think of the Leafs style. Btw the post isnt on my official blog as that is not up and running yet. it will be soon though:

http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/k ... e_net_out/

[armandtanzarian]

Good reads there guys. Nice blog Shiv. Nice to hear some detailed opinions. Everyone is different but a lot of the same sentiment is expressed in one way or another....

[bills09]

Nazem Kadri and Keith Aulie called up
Hanson and Holzer sent down

new leaf forward lines

MacArthur-Grabovski-Kessel.
Kadri-Bozak-Kulemin.
Sjostrom-Brent-Versteeg.
Orr-Mitchell-Brown.
Caputi.

[Shep]

Nazem Kadri and Keith Aulie called up
Hanson and Holzer sent down

new leaf forward lines

MacArthur-Grabovski-Kessel.
Kadri-Bozak-Kulemin.
Sjostrom-Brent-Versteeg.
Orr-Mitchell-Brown.
Caputi.

What a stupid 1st line.

Kulemin-Grabo-Kessel makes much more sense. Kulemin is physical and has known chemistry with Grabo. Not saying MacArthur doesn't, but he's a scorer, Kessel is a scorer and Grabo skates through the ice with his head down.

I see Kule and MacA swapping midway through Saturday's game.

[MSP4LYFE]

Nazem Kadri and Keith Aulie called up
Hanson and Holzer sent down

new leaf forward lines

MacArthur-Grabovski-Kessel.
Kadri-Bozak-Kulemin.
Sjostrom-Brent-Versteeg.
Orr-Mitchell-Brown.
Caputi.

What a stupid 1st line.

Kulemin-Grabo-Kessel makes much more sense. Kulemin is physical and has known chemistry with Grabo. Not saying MacArthur doesn't, but he's a scorer, Kessel is a scorer and Grabo skates through the ice with his head down.

I see Kule and MacA swapping midway through Saturday's game.

The reasoning is pretty obvious...Insulate Kadri with two reliable two way players, and provide size to an otherwise small line.

[Shep]

Nazem Kadri and Keith Aulie called up
Hanson and Holzer sent down

new leaf forward lines

MacArthur-Grabovski-Kessel.
Kadri-Bozak-Kulemin.
Sjostrom-Brent-Versteeg.
Orr-Mitchell-Brown.
Caputi.

What a stupid 1st line.

Kulemin-Grabo-Kessel makes much more sense. Kulemin is physical and has known chemistry with Grabo. Not saying MacArthur doesn't, but he's a scorer, Kessel is a scorer and Grabo skates through the ice with his head down.
I see Kule and MacA swapping midway through Saturday's game.

The reasoning is pretty obvious...Insulate Kadri with two reliable two way players, and provide size to an otherwise small line.

I know why they did the 2nd line. I'm saying the 1st line is retarded.

[KapG]

Nazem Kadri and Keith Aulie called up
Hanson and Holzer sent down

new leaf forward lines

MacArthur-Grabovski-Kessel.
Kadri-Bozak-Kulemin.
Sjostrom-Brent-Versteeg.
Orr-Mitchell-Brown.
Caputi.

What a stupid 1st line.

Kulemin-Grabo-Kessel makes much more sense. Kulemin is physical and has known chemistry with Grabo. Not saying MacArthur doesn't, but he's a scorer, Kessel is a scorer and Grabo skates through the ice with his head down.
I see Kule and MacA swapping midway through Saturday's game.

The reasoning is pretty obvious...Insulate Kadri with two reliable two way players, and provide size to an otherwise small line.

I know why they did the 2nd line. I'm saying the 1st line is retarded.

Wilson is a fucking retard.


IIRC our best line at the start of last season was Kuli bozak and kessel, they dominated for us once kuli joined up with them because of his "physical" and defensive play, he REALLY opened up the ice for those two. So what does fucking wilson do to start this season? He fucking puts versteeg on that line in place of Kulemin. Fucking douche retard mother fucker.


IMO this team won't make any waves until they bite the fucking bullet and build their team through the draft.

[MSP4LYFE]

I know why they did the 2nd line. I'm saying the 1st line is retarded.

They didn't have a ton of options, better to insulate a young rookie, than three experienced NHL'ers.