I think that with those two they haven’t been able to build the confidence in their offensive abilities yet. They have the skills but they both settle for long-shots or soft dump-ins into the corners and the cycle rather than trying to make a move to create some offence.

They forecheck well, play defensively pretty well but they aren’t being groomed to be checking line players. They need to figure out how to bring that side out of their game. Whether that’s an extended stay on the Marlies (which seemed to be helping Tlusty 21pts in 32gp) or getting them both on better lines (or at least getting Man Grabs Lemon back together) is a mystery so far.

This is what bothers me about the media (and I’ll be fair, some fans) when they describe Tlusty and especially Kulemin. Kules’ scouting report was always about how he does all the little things well. It was never about him being a sniper. In fact, up until his goal scoring bonanza that one season in Russia, there were real concerns about Kulemin even being a 10 goal scored in the NHL. Kulemin has the talent to be a top 6 scorer or he can easily fit in and excel in a third line role. The thing Kulemin has to improve is what sort of role he wants. The danger is that Kulemin will “settle” for the third line role. But on the flip side, you know that Kulemin will eventually find ways to contribute if his offence is in a funk because he is defensively sound.

Tlusty, I’m not quite sure. Again, he wasn’t a surefire blue-chipper when he was drafted. And the media was very quick to point that fact time after time. But Tlusty had a wonderful junior season with Hartsburg in Sault St. Marie and a pretty good AHL playoff run. It seemed like Tlusty benefited from playing in the Czech League with men. Then the Leafs brass thought it was a fantastic idea to play the rookie 8-10 minutes a night on the fourth line and now we wonder why Tlusty has taken a step back in his development? I think we all need to look at the pedigree of the Leafs prospects and temper our expectations for essentially two rookies playing in North America for the first time (Tlusty less so). Maybe they’re not playing as well as they’re capable of, but I don’t think they are that behind in their development. They weren’t seen as superstars, but a lot of people expect them to perform like them.

Not that bad of a night overall.

No, it’s never too much to ask for some more effort. We got spoiled during the “still able to surprise the opposition” period. Injuries haven’t helped anything other than to expose the lack of top quality depth.

I love your idea of having a young player, maybe Schenn, announce the top pick.

It’s not that they suck it’s that they didn’t try. At least that’s my sentiment.

This is only the second or third time I’ve ever listened to this show and it just confirms my theory that most fans are idiots (I loved the guy who said a re-build would take 15 years).

I’d love the Leafs to put in a better effort, and they sure turned in a stinker tonight, but I’m not going to get upset about it. People need to keep the big picture in mind – you don’t get a lottery pick playing .500 or better hockey.

I don’t think that it’s as spirited as they can get because they have gone a pretty long period being much more spirited than the last little stretch. I think it just comes down to the fact that the team is just not that good right now.

No effort at all. Time for Burke to go get another former Duck enforcer for a one-game morale boost.

Yes?

No.

Maybe…

 Maybe at this point they know the jig is up. They’re not going to make the playoffs, they’re waiting for Burke to finish the dismantling job Cliff started, they don’t know where they’ll be playing in two months.
 Or maybe not, who knows.

Watching the London Knights.