Physical Presence
by Steve Burtch on Apr 5, 2010 12:01 PM EDT
in Maple Leafs Analysis
Email
PrintLast season in the NHL there were 21 players that broke the 200 hit plateau. The only Leaf to do so was Luke Schenn with 206. Of those 21 players, only 7 were defensemen. More impressive was the fact that Schenn hit that height in only 70 games played, the lowest number of games for any of the players in the category.
200 hits in an 82 game season translates to 2.44 hits per game, so it had been a bit disappointing for the Leafs coaching staff and management this year to see Schenn sitting at 2.05 hits per game entering the trading deadline.
Entering the 2009-10 season, one of the key areas of improvement the Leafs had targeted was an increase in physical play in their own end. To some extent that had been addressed by the addition of Mike Komisarek, who was delivering the body at a rate of 2.5 hits per game, and Garnet Exelby who was adding 1.67 hits per game in limited ice time. Unfortunately Komisarek was injured, and Exelby wasn't trusted with enough ice time for the impact to sustain itself.
Enter Dion Phaneuf. Offensively skilled enough to play a larger role than Exelby, Phaneuf's physical play would add to the overall grit factor on the Leafs D. His presence alone was hoped to be a positive influence on the likes of Schenn, and he hasn't disappointed.
Since the trading deadline, the two most physical Leafs blue liners playing a regular shift have reached a nice plateau of consistent physical play. Schenn has 41 hits, while Phaneuf has 42. It doesn't hurt that Schenn recorded 7 hits against the Bruins on Saturday night. That puts the two of them at 2.41(Schenn) and 2.47 (Phaneuf) hits per game respectively.
Thinking of next season, numbers like that probably have Ron Wilson and Brian Burke happy at the prospect of dressing a full line up. If Komisarek can return completely healthy, he could easily reach the 200 hit plateau, and now the Leafs should be able to count on similar hit numbers from Phaneuf and Schenn.
Francois Beauchemin, Carl Gunnarsson, and (for the moment) Tomas Kaberle shouldn't have to worry much about physical intimidation with the aforementioned trio patrolling alongside them. It will be nice to see how the dynamic works next season.
Up front some of the current offensive woes may stem from the fact that the only Leafs forward with a regular physical presence at the offensive end seems to be Nikolai Kulemin, who leads the group with 129 hits. Colton Orr is the only other regular to have registered 100 hits, with 113 in his limited minutes.
Viktor Stalberg and Christian Hanson provide some physical play and if they had played 75 games like Kulemin they would both have 107 hits at their current pace. John Mitchell has 80 on the year, and he'd be at 105 if he'd played 75 games... but unfortunately he missed time due to injury. Fredrik Sjostrom delivers some body checks, and is playing at a pace to deliver 138 hits over an 82 game schedule. Tyler Bozak is also doing some work with his body, and he's producing hits at a pace that would give him 116 in a full 82 game schedule.
Yes the Leafs lack physicality with their forwards, but the current crop is superior to the old one. Amongst the outgoing forwards, only Alexei Ponikarovsky, currently with 142, is on pace to top 100 hits this season. That has a lot to do with the Leafs inability to generate a strong enough forecheck with it's old line up back before the trade deadline. Youth and size are being served going forward.
Despite the improvement, the Leafs lack a true power forward who will deliver over 150 hits in a year. They need one badly, and hopefully will pick one up this off season. Steve Ott, Brendan Morrow, Jamie Benn, and James Neal of the Dallas Stars are all well beyond 150 hits this year. David Backes of the St. Louis Blues, Troy Brouwer of the Chicago Blackhawks, and Scott Nichol in San Jose are other names the Leafs might want to look at from a physical play perspective.
189 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Backes is a player that seems to me would fit on the team extremely well.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Apr 5, 2010 12:08 PM EDT reply actions
WANT.
Leafs Nation: A drinking team with a hockey problem.
by nhlcheapshot on Apr 5, 2010 12:10 PM EDT up reply actions
if only
too bad the blues have peiterangelo cracking the line up next year and dont need Kabby that bad.
Although he would make a good metor player for Alex
no Backes though, maybe a Perron
Have a point? Make it. Don't? Fake it.
by JaredFromLondon on Apr 5, 2010 12:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Ya I know we don’t have a shot.
RW would love him though, he was money for team USA.
Leafs Nation: A drinking team with a hockey problem.
by nhlcheapshot on Apr 5, 2010 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Oh man and only $2.5M next year, damn that’s good value.
Leafs Nation: A drinking team with a hockey problem.
by nhlcheapshot on Apr 5, 2010 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions
The thing about comparing Backes and Perron is
Backes goals have been cut in half this year (31 to 15) and he’s going to be 26 next year.
Perron is only 21. He’s a 1st round pick, and he’s already had a 50 point season in the NHL.
He’s going to cost more than Backes and he’ll likely be more important to them than Backes in the long run.
I’d actually say we’d have an easier time prying Backes out from the Blues than Perron.
"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm."
- Sir Winston Churchill
I'm pretty sure he's talking about the Leafs.
yeah, i was thinking about Berglund not Perron, but still, id take any of the three
They Hate Us For Our Truculence - WrapAroundCurl
by JaredFromLondon on Apr 5, 2010 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Well again
Berglund is only 21 years old, and he’s a 1st round draft pick.
He’s only playing 13:13 in ice time a game this season, so I’m not shocked his numbers are below those of Perron, Backes, Oshie, or Steen.
He had 47 points as a 20 year old rookie, so I doubt they’re going to trade him either.
I seriously think Backes is more likely to be trade bait than either of Perron or Berglund.
Boyes has had a crap year also, so he might be on the market after this season too.
"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm."
- Sir Winston Churchill
I'm pretty sure he's talking about the Leafs.
boyes is an interesting name, he has a hefty pricetag i beleive though. Still, hometown boy who should have been a leaf right off the get-go sounds pretty interesting. Guy can put the puck in the net and might require a change of scenary
There is no "I" in team, but there is an "M" and an "E"
getting him back just seems like admiting mistakes (which we do enough of already
They Hate Us For Our Truculence - WrapAroundCurl
by JaredFromLondon on Apr 5, 2010 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions
does that thought cross burkes mind if he is genuinley interested? i doubt hes worried about making up for a pat quinn mistake….
i dont really think he is on their radar anyways, since his 40 goal campaign hes dropped off in a big way. Plus i think he comes at 4mil per
There is no "I" in team, but there is an "M" and an "E"
he is also a little older than players I think Burke will target
They Hate Us For Our Truculence - WrapAroundCurl
by JaredFromLondon on Apr 5, 2010 4:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Oh and another point
Perron is only playing 16 minutes a game in ice time.
Backes is playing over 18 minutes a game.
Age is in Perron’s favour, production vs. ice time is in Perron’s favour, potential production is in Perron’s favour.
I think he’s more expensive from a trade perspective.
"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm."
- Sir Winston Churchill
I'm pretty sure he's talking about the Leafs.
What worries me about Komisarek
is he takes way more penalties than he draws. Behind the Net has his PIMs drawn per 60 at 0.2, and his taken per 60 at 0.6. Last year with the Habs his PIMS drawn was 0.5, but his taken was 1.7 (both per 60 mins)
The league average for d-men is 0.8 taken per 60, and 0.4 taken per 60 this season. Schenn is at 0.6 both taken and drawn, while Phaneuf is 0.5 taken and 0.9 drawn.
With a team that has a PK that hasn’t been ranked above 29th since Wilson came on board, Komi’s penchant for taking penalties doesn’t seem to be a great idea.
PS – I’ve yet to warm up to Komi as a Leaf. Came close, but still not “sold” on him, so maybe I’m worrying needlessly thanks to a built in bias?
I have nothing interesting to say.
by blurr1974 on Apr 5, 2010 12:22 PM EDT reply actions
well his numbers this year are a might skewed because of the two games he went crazy, but yeah. Usually big bruising physical defensemen don’t draw a lot of penalties. Plus he seems to get a ton on reputation alone.
good thing we have Grabbo on the opposite end of the spectrum
Have a point? Make it. Don't? Fake it.
by JaredFromLondon on Apr 5, 2010 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions
And Kulemin.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Like reading thoughts confined to 140 characters? I'm on Twitter too.
yeah, Kulemin would draw 30 penalties a game if he reacted to hooks or holds, but he just powers through everything
Have a point? Make it. Don't? Fake it.
by JaredFromLondon on Apr 5, 2010 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions
isn’t that generally a trade-off? you have a big physical defenceman that might take some bad penalties and get carried away, but his overall physical play is still a benefit and offsets some of those penalties (even if he’s not drawing any himself)?
Yesterday is dead, but not my memory.
yep, I don’t see a problem with it because it is the way of the world
Have a point? Make it. Don't? Fake it.
by JaredFromLondon on Apr 5, 2010 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions
to me
defensive doesn’t have to equal physical.
Komisarek averaged 1.1 giveaways per game this year, and 0.1 takeaways. 1.3 giveaways to 0.1 takeaways last year, and 0.9 giveaways to 0.2 takeaways the year before that. He had the 11th most total giveaways in 07-08 and the 4th most in 08-09 for all d-men.
sorry, not meaning to pee on the parade, just can’t see Komisarek as a benefit to this team, especially in a top 2 role.
who knows how high that could have been this year with something closer to a full season…?
I have nothing interesting to say.
by blurr1974 on Apr 5, 2010 12:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Like any scoring chances next season Komisarek is going to wipe up your pee.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Like reading thoughts confined to 140 characters? I'm on Twitter too.
I think his terrible start skewed a lot of his numbers. He seemed, to my eyes, that he settled down mightily towards the end of his season.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Like reading thoughts confined to 140 characters? I'm on Twitter too.
I’d hope now that he’s not so revved up to “show off” what he can do next year, he could fit in well with the physical D presence we now have going on.
Phaneuf/Beauchemin/Schenn/Komisarek, that’s a pretty good top 4 in terms of physicality.
Leafs Nation: A drinking team with a hockey problem.
by nhlcheapshot on Apr 5, 2010 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions
yeah, that is a lot of beef that can crush you back there. I suspect Beauch might be gone at next years deadline though
Have a point? Make it. Don't? Fake it.
by JaredFromLondon on Apr 5, 2010 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Little bit far off to be projecting that, I imagine it will have a lot to do with our competitiveness at next year’s deadline. Burke hates being a seller.
Leafs Nation: A drinking team with a hockey problem.
by nhlcheapshot on Apr 5, 2010 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions
I doubt it unless Beauchemin is relatively lighting it up in terms of points.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Like reading thoughts confined to 140 characters? I'm on Twitter too.
the only way I see that happening is if Kabby is moved and he gets number one PP time with Dion, which could very well happen
but if the Leafs are mid pack and not looking like contenders and Beauch has decent value I think he will be sought after and easily moved for some decent assets
Have a point? Make it. Don't? Fake it.
by JaredFromLondon on Apr 5, 2010 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Beauchemin was getting pretty decent PP time this year and put up terrible numbers.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Like reading thoughts confined to 140 characters? I'm on Twitter too.
Our PP sucks. It’s just… brutal. I have no advice on how to fix it. But I wish they’d hire some one who did know.
Leafs Nation: A drinking team with a hockey problem.
by nhlcheapshot on Apr 5, 2010 12:40 PM EDT up reply actions
yeah, it would be a rebound type situation if anything, but that was the only way I could see him putting up a tone of points since his offensive game 5 on 5 is non-existant
Have a point? Make it. Don't? Fake it.
by JaredFromLondon on Apr 5, 2010 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions
that's why i looked at last year
and he was worse.
I have nothing interesting to say.
by blurr1974 on Apr 5, 2010 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions
That makes me think his improvement could be more pronounced next year.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Like reading thoughts confined to 140 characters? I'm on Twitter too.
Let’s see what kind of effect playing with Dion will have on him… Just look at what he’s done to the rest of the team, especially Schenn.
Who knows, maybe he just needs some leadership on D to shape his game around and play with a sense of responsibility.
...Being surrounded by Sens and Habs fans makes me lose faith in humanity...
i thought he was signed for, among other things, his leadership capabilities…?
I have nothing interesting to say.
by blurr1974 on Apr 5, 2010 2:12 PM EDT up reply actions
sure, but I don’t think he’s ever played with anyone like Dion. Look at all the D-men he played with in Montreal, there’s not very many that he could have learned leadership and responsible play from.
...Being surrounded by Sens and Habs fans makes me lose faith in humanity...
Andrei Markov.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Apr 5, 2010 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions
good D man, I dont know how good a leader
They Hate Us For Our Truculence - WrapAroundCurl
by JaredFromLondon on Apr 5, 2010 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions
He was smart enough to turn down the C this year.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Apr 5, 2010 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions
if only he was smart enough to get the fuck out of Montreal
They Hate Us For Our Truculence - WrapAroundCurl
by JaredFromLondon on Apr 5, 2010 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah
The Komisarek-Phaneuf dynamic will be interesting because Komi was seeming to settle into the leadership role when he went down.
Also, they’ve both been with Elisha Cuthbert.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Like reading thoughts confined to 140 characters? I'm on Twitter too.
by PPP on Apr 5, 2010 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Partners on the blueline; partners in the bedroom?
I've always wanted to be a PPP Princess. You see kids, you can be anything you want to be; so long as Jay Leno doesn't also want to be that.
Would not be the first time I have heard that about NHLers.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Like reading thoughts confined to 140 characters? I'm on Twitter too.
by PPP on Apr 5, 2010 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions
I think expecting Komi to be anything more than a #4/5 D playing 18 mins/gm is a big mistake. He was barely more than that in his prime in Montreal and I don’t think at his age, and with his injury history, we can expect him to be the 2007 Komi ever again.
That’s why his contract is such a disaster. I predict that by the last two years of that deal it will be the biggest source of salary cap related consternation on the team. It’ll never be Finger-bad, but it’s looking pretty bad.
by The '67 Sound on Apr 6, 2010 10:10 AM EDT up reply actions
i was mistakenly under the impression that beauchemin brought more of a physical game, but it looks like he’s just over 1 per game the last few seasons?
i think in hindsight, and especially in light of the phaneuf trade, beuachemin’s signing/contract was a big mistake. i’d much rather have kabby in the top 4 (phaneuf, kaberle, komisarek and schenn) than beauchemin.
Yesterday is dead, but not my memory.
Beauch is a very good all around D. I thought he was great and thus have been dissapointed. I’d be happy to have him on the 2nd pairing, but the Leafs have too many D men and the rest are younger or better, thus he is the odd man out
Have a point? Make it. Don't? Fake it.
by JaredFromLondon on Apr 5, 2010 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions
i agree he’s a good all around D that can play lots of minutes, but i just think if Burke knew he was going to have Phaneuf he wouldn’t have signed Beauch. that money could be used better on a forward and he wouldn’t have to worry about moving kabby (assuming he could get him to sign a reasonable contract).
Yesterday is dead, but not my memory.
yeah, it might have been nice to fill beauchemins slot with gunnar (this would have been assuming Komi didnt get hurt) and throwing a little extra cash towards Cammalari
Have a point? Make it. Don't? Fake it.
by JaredFromLondon on Apr 5, 2010 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, there are a lot of moves like that. Does he make the Kessel trade if he gets the Sedins? Does he trade for Giguere if he gets a healthy Gustavsson?
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Like reading thoughts confined to 140 characters? I'm on Twitter too.
yes to both
with the Sedins the first is at best a 10th over all and Kessel with the Sedins is disgusting to think about
Have a point? Make it. Don't? Fake it.
by JaredFromLondon on Apr 5, 2010 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions
But would we have had the cap room to sign both Sedin’s and Kessel for $5.4M?
And if we didn’t have Beauch we’d be playing Finger and XLB every night. Eeep. Say what you want about Beauchemin disappointing some people, but he’s definitely better than either of those guys.
Leafs Nation: A drinking team with a hockey problem.
by nhlcheapshot on Apr 5, 2010 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions
yeah, but still, take out Beauch and replace him with the sedins and you get insane offense and pretty good 2 way play out of them
more than a good trade off
Have a point? Make it. Don't? Fake it.
by JaredFromLondon on Apr 5, 2010 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions
We should have tampered more.
Leafs Nation: A drinking team with a hockey problem.
by nhlcheapshot on Apr 5, 2010 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions 8 recs
This would be an epic Tagline for the site.
Phaneuf Phever, an upgrade in skill and alliteration!
by Shield on Apr 5, 2010 1:00 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Sorry, but there’s no way he makes the Kessel deal if he had gotten the Sedins.
If the Sedins were here they’d be the first line. Poni would probably play with them, and flourish with their cycle game.
There’s no way we’d have paid $5.4M for what would be our 2nd line winger when we still had the Blake and Toskala albatross contracts. There’s no way that would have even fit under the cap, unless Jeff Finger had been found dead outside Union Station.
Resident Capologist
Toskala Cap Counter - RIP
i just think if Burke knew he was going to have Phaneuf he wouldn’t have signed Beauch.
I think a lot of decisions would have changed if we knew that we could get Phaneuf.
Leafs Nation: A drinking team with a hockey problem.
by nhlcheapshot on Apr 5, 2010 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions
But we couldn’t get Phaneuf without those decisions.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Like reading thoughts confined to 140 characters? I'm on Twitter too.
Too many what-ifs retroactively. I have enough problems dealing with what-ifs on a go-forward basis.
Leafs Nation: A drinking team with a hockey problem.
by nhlcheapshot on Apr 5, 2010 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions
I know, it’s a bit of a silly exercise playing ‘what if’ (although that doesn’t stop people from bitching about "Carter and a 1st" or "We could have had Tyler Myers!"). But if we theoretically look at the D in isolation, there’s no way Burke signs two free agent D at ~$4M each if Phaneuf’s in the picture.
Yesterday is dead, but not my memory.
Know what sucks for Myers?
No matter how good he gets, no matter how many All-star teams he may make in the future, no matter if he compares favourably to Chara, He won’t win a Norris as long as this guy is in the league:
"We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them."
Albert Einstein
by Say *plan the parade one more time*... on Apr 5, 2010 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I think he’s more of a positioning defenceman that can lay a big hit if it’s there. He’s done it a few times but as with the entire defence I am loathe to judge based on this year because it’s such a mindfuck to have Toskala behind you.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Like reading thoughts confined to 140 characters? I'm on Twitter too.
If Schenn & Dion are keepers (most would agree they are)
…then one of Komisarek/Beauchemin has to go.
To have a top 4 like that without any puck movers isn’t going to translate into success.
Gunnar can move the puck well, Dion can carry the puck well and make a decent outlet. Schenn is improving like crazy on the offense department especially passing
Beauch doesnt offer much that those guys dont in the way of offense
Have a point? Make it. Don't? Fake it.
by JaredFromLondon on Apr 5, 2010 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions
or maybe they can pair him with schenn on the 2nd pair and trade the excess d-men for some decent forwards
Kaberle -probably traded
Finger – Probably burried
Exelby – not coming back
that leaves
Phaneuf – Beauch
Schenn – Komi
Gunnar – ????
Have a point? Make it. Don't? Fake it.
by JaredFromLondon on Apr 5, 2010 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions
yeah, depending on what happens with the forwards (is someone signed to a big contract, traded in with a big contract whatever) FInger could very well be a 3rd pairing or 7th Dman, if the Leafs need the cap space he is waiver fodder on the marlies
Have a point? Make it. Don't? Fake it.
by JaredFromLondon on Apr 5, 2010 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions
That’s what I’m thinking.
??? = Frogren? Oreskovic? Mikus? Aulie?
Despite only needing 6, we’ll be carrying 7. Even if we keep Finger up, we’ll need 1 more.
Leafs Nation: A drinking team with a hockey problem.
by nhlcheapshot on Apr 5, 2010 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions
I think Mikus might be ready. Oreskovic could be a 7th right now.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Like reading thoughts confined to 140 characters? I'm on Twitter too.
yeah, Aulie might have been ready but his injury is a set back and he will probably start with the Marlies at least until he is back up to speed
right now id rather have big Phil being a semi useless 3rd pairing D than Fingers cap hit or exelby
Have a point? Make it. Don't? Fake it.
by JaredFromLondon on Apr 5, 2010 12:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Take a flyer on MVR!
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Apr 5, 2010 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions
If MVR could come back very very cheap i’d risk signing him. Worst thing that happens is he ends up back on the IR or demoted and we have to bring up one of the kids anyway.
Leafs Nation: A drinking team with a hockey problem.
yeah, sign him to a bonus laden 1 year deal
Have a point? Make it. Don't? Fake it.
by JaredFromLondon on Apr 5, 2010 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions
except bonuses count against the cap next year
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Apr 5, 2010 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions
if he hits them all, which I doubt he would (depending on what they are) he’d be offered an afiniganov deal
Have a point? Make it. Don't? Fake it.
by JaredFromLondon on Apr 5, 2010 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions
no
end of the CBA – they count whether or not he hits them next year
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Apr 5, 2010 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions
really? thats stupid
ok then no bonuses then at 1 mill
Have a point? Make it. Don't? Fake it.
by JaredFromLondon on Apr 5, 2010 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions
But if he’s on the LTIR he doesn’t count, so its basically a win-win. A somewhat healthy MVR is better than Jeff Finger.
Phaneuf Phever, an upgrade in skill and alliteration!
still an issue of being under the cap to start the season.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Apr 5, 2010 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions
More bad news about MVR
Under the CBA (50.2) there are only three types of players that can be offered contracts with bonuses:
1. Entry level players (first contract)
2. Players over the age of 35
3. Players with 400+ games played who missed 100+ days in the previous year due to injury.
Unfortunately, Van Ryn falls 47 games short of category 3 as he’s only played 353 NHL games (362 if you count playoffs).
Bitter Leaf Fan: because sometimes there's no option but to be bitter...
I don’t think bonuses are necessary anyway. Depending on his recovery, he may get a very small (<$1m contract) for 1 year and if he can prove he can still play he’ll get an upgrade next summer.
Leafs Nation: A drinking team with a hockey problem.
Agreed, but it might have been a very good incentive for MVR to land a contract. Be nice to see the guy qualify for his pension.
Bitter Leaf Fan: because sometimes there's no option but to be bitter...
im not convinced MVR can come back from the "steve yzerman’ surgery. sounds like its very serious
There is no "I" in team, but there is an "M" and an "E"
yeah, but if he signs for cheap, I’d take a flyer, he is a very good defenseman
They Hate Us For Our Truculence - WrapAroundCurl
by JaredFromLondon on Apr 5, 2010 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions
MVR
I would like to see him back. He played well and with our revamped D he might be better protected. I still remember him getting put through the glass and no one came to defend him. Is there any word on the guy, anything at all? Damn Toronto MSM!!!
"There's been four different Cup winners the last four years, and I got one of them (Anaheim) and it was a fighting team. We're playing it that way regardless." - B. Burke, Toronto Maple Leafs GM
Burke said on the radio that he was almost cleared to play. He didn’t say he would resign him but he complimented his work ethic and compared him to Dido for his dedication to rehab.
by Leaf in Habland on Apr 5, 2010 8:22 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Thanks
I hope we resign him as a stop gap at the least.
"There's been four different Cup winners the last four years, and I got one of them (Anaheim) and it was a fighting team. We're playing it that way regardless." - B. Burke, Toronto Maple Leafs GM
Have him work out with the team in the offseason and sign him to a tryout during the preseason like we did with Jason Allison. If he doesn’t get killed, sign him to a 1 year deal for like $750K. I doubt too many teams are interested in him.
I've always wanted to be a PPP Princess. You see kids, you can be anything you want to be; so long as Jay Leno doesn't also want to be that.
he already plays top 4 some nights this season, mostly because Komi is out, but still, if Kaberle is gone like he probably will be there is still room for him to play there, especially with the ron wilson defensive pairing blender on full force
Have a point? Make it. Don't? Fake it.
by JaredFromLondon on Apr 5, 2010 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Phaneuf moves the puck just fine. He’ll play with Beauchemin if this season thus far is any indication. That leaves Schenn with Komisarek and to be honest I wouldn’t mind seeing Luke take more of an offensive role. That leaves Gunnarsson on the third pairing and he moves the puck fine there.
There’s potential for some growing pains there.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Like reading thoughts confined to 140 characters? I'm on Twitter too.
With Dion, Schenn, Beauch and Gunnar, Komi is not in the Top 4. He’s arguably #6 behind Kaberle (though they’d probably average around the same minutes, swapping PP vs. PK time).
Gunnar could well be our #2 D next year.
by The '67 Sound on Apr 6, 2010 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions
very few have one as good as Kaberle is…at moving the puck
Have a point? Make it. Don't? Fake it.
by JaredFromLondon on Apr 5, 2010 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions
or just great offensive d-men in general
CHI has Campbell and Keith
SJS has Danny Boyle
NJ Paul Martin
Was Green
Pit Gonchar and so on
thats the model that should be followed
those teams also have ELITE offensive players and excellent goaltending (except washington with the goalies, but their forwards….)
the puck moving D on those teams arnt the straw that stirs the drink, they are all complimentary
the only example of an offensive D being the big story is maybe Lidstrom on Detroit, and he was everything on both sides of the puck
Have a point? Make it. Don't? Fake it.
by JaredFromLondon on Apr 5, 2010 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Lidstrom is just a rediculous defensemen. $7.45 M and still good value.
Leafs Nation: A drinking team with a hockey problem.
and a UFA!!! /takes a sip of her kool-aid
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Apr 5, 2010 1:00 PM EDT up reply actions
If he ever plays anywhere but Detroit i’d be shocked. SHOCKED.
Leafs Nation: A drinking team with a hockey problem.
this is why I have my kool-aid. No logic here!
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Apr 5, 2010 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions
maybe he wants to go to a contender to win a cup before he retires a la ray bourque?
/blank stare
Have a point? Make it. Don't? Fake it.
by JaredFromLondon on Apr 5, 2010 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions
indeed
calling Lidstrom a puck moving d-man does a disservice to everything else he does.
I have nothing interesting to say.
by blurr1974 on Apr 5, 2010 1:00 PM EDT up reply actions
no doubt but you gotta start somewhere especially with our defensive corps being such a mess
BTW I think that Beauch has been vastly overrater, I mean he played with freakin Pronger & Niedermayer!
thing is, our defense isnt much of a mess anymore, it is a might crowded and expensive, but I wouldnt call it a mess
Have a point? Make it. Don't? Fake it.
by JaredFromLondon on Apr 5, 2010 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions
You've listed 5 teams.
There are 30 in the NHL… the Leafs are the 29th ranked of those teams.
I think there’s a lot of space between top 5 “good teams” and the other 24 spots ahead of us.
We’ll get by with “passable” on offense D.
Shea Weber and Ryan Suter aren’t exactly elite “puck moving” D men, but Nashville’s D is pretty awesome.
I’d take Buffalo’s D… and they don’t have a top end puck mover other than a rookie in Tyler Myers.
I’d be ok with the D they have in Ottawa, and their best puck moving blue liner is another rookie in Larsson.
Overall I think we tend to exaggerate the value of Kaberle to a winning club.
"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm."
- Sir Winston Churchill
I'm pretty sure he's talking about the Leafs.
you mean Karlsson right?
they also have Kuba though, but he is brutal and has been injured
They Hate Us For Our Truculence - WrapAroundCurl
by JaredFromLondon on Apr 5, 2010 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Yes
Karlsson… was thinking of OEL… who is not an Ottawa Prospect, but got drafted by Phoenix.
Thanks for the correction.
"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm."
- Sir Winston Churchill
I'm pretty sure he's talking about the Leafs.
I do what I can
They Hate Us For Our Truculence - WrapAroundCurl
by JaredFromLondon on Apr 5, 2010 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions
volchenkov is a shot blocking monster for the sens, without him elliot doesnt look half as good
There is no "I" in team, but there is an "M" and an "E"
Yes to a far away place
like San Jose or Anaheim where we don’t have to face him as much.
"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm."
- Sir Winston Churchill
I'm pretty sure he's talking about the Leafs.
I’d love to see him go anywhere but ottawa for rediculous money
They Hate Us For Our Truculence - WrapAroundCurl
by JaredFromLondon on Apr 5, 2010 4:25 PM EDT up reply actions
nah, that would only be good if he signed in ottawa (or montreal or vancouver) and sucked for tons of money
They Hate Us For Our Truculence - WrapAroundCurl
by JaredFromLondon on Apr 5, 2010 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Dear Maple Leafs,
Please beat the Flyers and Rangers. Thank you
Bruins.
Join the NLL community at nationallacrosseleagueblog.blogspot.com!
by bestbostonsports on Apr 5, 2010 1:20 PM EDT reply actions
Half-agree, but only if the teams above them start winning too
Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure! (or Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Apr 5, 2010 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions
quiet you
Have a point? Make it. Don't? Fake it.
by JaredFromLondon on Apr 5, 2010 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions
You’ll enjoy your 3rd and 16th picks, and you’ll like it!
Resident Capologist
Toskala Cap Counter - RIP
I mean, I like fowler a lot but I’d rather get hall/seguin
Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure! (or Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Apr 5, 2010 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions
we’d love you to get fowler too
for non selfish reasons of course
They Hate Us For Our Truculence - WrapAroundCurl
by JaredFromLondon on Apr 5, 2010 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions
I hope rask never lets in another goal, too*
*unless he starts playing for another team
Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure! (or Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Apr 5, 2010 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions
then you can trade us hall/seguin for 2 1sts and a 2nd in 3 years
There is no "I" in team, but there is an "M" and an "E"
when they are cancers in the locker room and cant score without Marc Savard either
They Hate Us For Our Truculence - WrapAroundCurl
by JaredFromLondon on Apr 5, 2010 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions
thats right, it will be a never ending cycle of letting boston pick for us, becuase our scouts are shit, then us trading more picks back to boston for all the good players they draft with our picks.
on the way out of town the boston bruins can label those players as ‘cancers’ and no good without marc savard to save face.
There is no "I" in team, but there is an "M" and an "E"
What cancers in the lockeroom? I have not heard anything on that. It’s true, the Bruins can’t score without Savard.
Join the NLL community at http://www.nationallacrosseleagueblog.blogspot.com/
by bestbostonsports on Apr 5, 2010 6:02 PM EDT up reply actions
see Kessel, Phil
They Hate Us For Our Truculence - WrapAroundCurl
by JaredFromLondon on Apr 5, 2010 6:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Oh, I forgot about him. What do you mean he can’t score without Savard? I agree, most of the current Bruins cannot, but he would lead this team in goals, without Savard all season. Bruins leading scorer: Sturm, 21. Kessel: 30.
Join the NLL community at http://www.nationallacrosseleagueblog.blogspot.com/
by bestbostonsports on Apr 5, 2010 10:24 PM EDT up reply actions
the main thing Leaf fans heard from the rest of the other fan bases (and some leaf fans) was that Kessel would never be an effective scorer without savard feeding him passes
They Hate Us For Our Truculence - WrapAroundCurl
by JaredFromLondon on Apr 5, 2010 10:27 PM EDT up reply actions
We where wrong. The Bruins would love Kessel now.
Join the NLL community at http://www.nationallacrosseleagueblog.blogspot.com/
by bestbostonsports on Apr 5, 2010 10:55 PM EDT up reply actions
I would love if Rangers, Flyers and Boston made the playoffs and bumped out the Canadiens. Though that doesn’t seem like a likely possibility unless they play Price every night.
Leafs Nation: A drinking team with a hockey problem.
rangers and philly go head to head twice this week, thatll be tough
There is no "I" in team, but there is an "M" and an "E"
Which is basically gaborik versus the flyers in front of a pile of goalie equipment
Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure! (or Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Apr 5, 2010 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions
yep, and they both play toronto once. or, as i like to call them “Phil Kessel”
There is no "I" in team, but there is an "M" and an "E"
btw, Wilson said Kessel has a strained muscle and will be seeing a doctor today
/hopes phil is phine
There is no "I" in team, but there is an "M" and an "E"
I’m torn – I need that pick to be as low as possible but I also don’t want bubble teams getting points. The only team you guys play that isn’t a bubble team from here on out is buffalo.
Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure! (or Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Apr 5, 2010 2:02 PM EDT up reply actions
no wait, maybe you already played them. Since the atlanta game on tuesday, all bubble teams all the time
Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure! (or Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Apr 5, 2010 2:02 PM EDT up reply actions
We play Flyers, Rangers, Habs. So we can help you if we win them all. But the problem is that the Flyers and Rangers play each other back to back, so at least one of them will get at least two points on the weekend. Worst case they both get three. Best case is one team sweeps and the other also loses their remaining games.
Habs are in the drivers’ seat. They will be in. Boston will get in if they win all and Flyers/Rangers split with no OT. If Flyers/Rangers sweep or OT, it will be tough for the Bruins.
by Leaf in Habland on Apr 5, 2010 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Well, good thing our schedule is easy down the stre-
HEY WHO SNUCK THESE WASHINGTON GAMES IN HERE?
Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure! (or Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Apr 5, 2010 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions
first round tune-up!
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Apr 5, 2010 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Beat the Flyers and Rangers, hope that Florida and Tampa Bay win. Hope for no Toronto OT games.
Join the NLL community at http://www.nationallacrosseleagueblog.blogspot.com/
by bestbostonsports on Apr 5, 2010 6:03 PM EDT up reply actions
One guy I’d love for the Leafs to pick up is Dustin Byfuglien. Not sure how his hits rank in the grand scheme of things but the guy is big, has skill, can play both forward and D… not usually a big trade rumor guy but I can’t help but think about it, especially with the salary situation in Chicago. He may or may not throw a lot of hits but he uses his size to make plays and take it to the net, and that would be useful.
Chicago only really needs picks or prospects, I wouldnt mind getting Buff, but I dont know about the price
They Hate Us For Our Truculence - WrapAroundCurl
by JaredFromLondon on Apr 5, 2010 3:46 PM EDT up reply actions
I dunno
he seems like he’s pretty lazy sometimes.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Apr 5, 2010 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions
yeah, thats why I dont want to give up much for him
They Hate Us For Our Truculence - WrapAroundCurl
by JaredFromLondon on Apr 5, 2010 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions
His numbers in the hits department are comparable to Brouwer
But he’s got a $3 mill cap hit, and his offense is less than stellar.
I’d rather take Brouwer and his 22 goals and 18 assists for 40 points, and +9 rating, for a price tag of $1.025 million rather than Byfuglien and his 17 goals and 14 assists for 31 points and -12 rating for $3 million a year.
They both play about 16 minutes a game. Both have played 78 games, Brouwer has 189 hits, Byfuglien has 206. Brouwer is 5 months younger, but they were both born in 1986 (24 or 25ish).
I would trade Chicago a decent prospect for Brouwer… I’m not that interested in Byfuglien, so taking him off their hands would be doing them a big favour, and I’d offer them a lot less..
"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm."
- Sir Winston Churchill
I'm pretty sure he's talking about the Leafs.
what do the leafs have in the ‘decent prospect’ deparrtment that burke would be willing to part with and that chicago would be interested in?
There is no "I" in team, but there is an "M" and an "E"
Stalberg, Gunnarsson, DiDom I’d consider decent prospects, but i wouldn’t want to trade any of those for Byf
Leafs Nation: A drinking team with a hockey problem.
I'd trade Stalberg
He’s 24, Brouwer is 25… Brouwer is more proven.
I’m actually implying a Marlies level player like Robert Slaney or Juraj Mikus… I’d deal players of that ilk also.
"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm."
- Sir Winston Churchill
I'm pretty sure he's talking about the Leafs.
or DiDo
he’s done zero in the NHL… so I’d be willing to move him.
There’s zero guarantee he’ll do anything in the NHL, and even if he does, he won’t be a physical player like Brouwer.
He’ll likely do well in Chicago, but that’s the point of a trade is to have both teams “win”.
"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm."
- Sir Winston Churchill
I'm pretty sure he's talking about the Leafs.
How much does Brouwer make? Is his contract prohibitive to the Hawks keeping him? He seems like one of those players who plays well with everyone, very useful on a contending team… meaning, I can’t see them moving him easily.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Apr 5, 2010 5:37 PM EDT up reply actions
He's being paid
$1.025 million a year expiring after next season.
I admit he’d cost more than Byfuglien, but he’d be more worth while methinks.
Again, I think Chicago has more serious issues than subtracting one or two players.
I honestly think if they don’t win the Cup, they’re probably trying to ditch Huet, and fixing the goalie situation.
The deals they want to get rid of are the ones they can’t get rid of… that’s always the problem in these situations.
They’ll end up making a trade with another team for a player whose deal expires sooner probably.
"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm."
- Sir Winston Churchill
I'm pretty sure he's talking about the Leafs.
Wow
Didn’t realize Brouwer’s offensive numbers were that good. But at that price, with that production, in Chicago’s cap situation, the chances they move him are next-to-none. The reason I see Byfuglien moving as a possibility is because of his pricetag. He’s very valuable in the sense that there are few players who can play both up front and on the blueline as well as he does. His versatility makes him attractive.
Just seems like a guy that could legitimately move… though Sharp may be a better bet since they have more Sharp-types than Byfuglien-types. Byfuglien just plays the type of power game that would fit perfectly on a Burke team.
hmmm
Nucks sign SEL goaler eddie lack
http://hockey.expressen.se/elitserien/1.1941693/bomben-eddie-lack-klar-for-vancouver
i wonder where this leaves Schnieder
They Hate Us For Our Truculence - WrapAroundCurl
I'm guessing it's a play to apply pressure to his camp.
If they qualify him he’s still their property… He hasn’t played well at the NHL level and his AHL numbers haven’t been awesome this year. He won’t be getting a huge deal frankly.
"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm."
- Sir Winston Churchill
I'm pretty sure he's talking about the Leafs.
The other thing to remember is
Vancouver doesn’t exactly have a lot of depth in goal. If Raycroft is gone after this year, Schneider and Lack compete for the backup job in camp next season.
Whoever wins it gets to stay in Vancouver, the other guy gets to start in Manitoba.
Not a huge problem really.
Lack was the backup in Brynas, so it’s not like he’ll be expecting to start in the NHL in all likelihood.
"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm."
- Sir Winston Churchill
I'm pretty sure he's talking about the Leafs.
Wow teams have really been signing US college, SEL, and Swiss players like crazy this year.
Let’s hope they don’t land a Bozak or a Gustavsson. I hope they’re all Rickard Wallin’s.
Leafs Nation: A drinking team with a hockey problem.
I don't think it's an issue of more of them being signed so much as
There’s more attention being paid to it than in past years.
Every year the media becomes more aware of these things, the more attention is diverted to it.
The other reason we care about it is because we don’t have playoffs to look forward to.
"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm."
- Sir Winston Churchill
I'm pretty sure he's talking about the Leafs.
Perhaps, I just see a ton of signings on tsn.ca, maybe im just paying more attention to it now than I had in years prior.
Leafs Nation: A drinking team with a hockey problem.
Yeah San Jose
made another one today too.
Edmonton finally agreed to terms with Omark, but he was their draft pick so that doesn’t really count.
"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm."
- Sir Winston Churchill
I'm pretty sure he's talking about the Leafs.
actually most of them
are just draft picks signing on with their teams for the end of the year… a la Phillipe Paradis
"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm."
- Sir Winston Churchill
I'm pretty sure he's talking about the Leafs.
Montreal signed
Brendon Nash the same day we signed Brayden Irwin, but I don’t think there’s a ridiculously high number of UFA players from Europe and the NCAA signing up right now.
"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm."
- Sir Winston Churchill
I'm pretty sure he's talking about the Leafs.
And the Rangers
signed Cameron Talbot from Huntsville-Alabama to play goal… but he went to Hartford.
We won’t see a lot more NCAA signings until the Frozen Four finishes up next weekend probably.
"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm."
- Sir Winston Churchill
I'm pretty sure he's talking about the Leafs.
and Dallas
signed Sean Backman from Yale… and LA signed Ray Kaunisto from Northern Michigan;
That’s 5 signings? Plus a goalie from Sweden?
That isn’t a huge number.
"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm."
- Sir Winston Churchill
I'm pretty sure he's talking about the Leafs.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Pension Plan Puppets
Related FanShots on Pension Plan Puppets
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Latest Puck Daddy - NHL from Yahoo! Sports
- Friday’s Three Stars: Devils head to Final; Brodeur, Kovalchuk the difference in Game 6
- Devils eliminate Rangers in Game 6, ending fear of the past, setting course for the future
- Adam Henrique sends New Jersey Devils to Stanley Cup Final with OT goal vs. Rangers (VIDEO)
- Watch Ilya Kovalchuk’s Game 6 goal for Devils, a.k.a. power-play porn (VIDEO)
- Devils look to eliminate Rangers in Game 6; Hal Gill’s broken tibia (Playoff Puck Previews)
Latest stories and headlines from NHL.com
- Blues CEO Mike McCarthy stepping down
- Blues CEO Mike McCarthy stepping down, not long after ownership change
- Rangers eliminated by Devils with crushing OT loss after another rally in Game 6 falls short
- Rangers season ends as another rally falls short
- Hard-skating Cataractes upset set defending champ Saint John 7-4 at Memorial Cup
SBNation.com Recent Stories
StatCounter
