2009-2010 Luca Caputi
by PPP on Jun 10, 2010 11:29 AM EDT
in Reading the Tea Leafs
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PrintFrom Beauchemin to Stalberg, we're taking a look at and grading (please read the criteria below) the 2009-10 season for every player who laced 'em up for the Maple Leafs for a significant number of games during the campaign, with an eye towards 2010-11. That means only guys that are still property of the Maple Leafs. We're doing this in concert with Maple Leafs Hot Stove. Next up, Luca Caputi.
Luca Caputi
#33 / Left Wing / Toronto Maple Leafs
6-3
200
Oct 01, 1988
Years in the NHL: 1
Became a Leaf: Via trade with Pittsburgh for Alex Ponikarovsky March 3, 2010
Contract Status: 1 year left on 3 year Entry Level Contract, $833K Including bonuses
Today's Maple Leaf Hot Stove's turn. Garrett Bauman will be taking the reins.
The Summary: One of the Penguins’ highest-ranked prospects, 21-year old Toronto native Luca Caputi was acquired by the Maple Leafs on the eve of the Trade Deadline in exchange for long-serving winger Alexei Ponikarovsky.
Caputi’s acquisition was another in a long line of moves by GM Brian Burke designed to (a) clean house, and (b) add young players with upside who can contribute immediately.
To Caputi’s credit, the early returns have been positive the 6′3, 200lb winger can develop into a regular contributor, although with only 28 NHL games under his belt (19 with the Maple Leafs), it is difficult to gauge on what his ultimate role, or impact, will be. The 2010-11 season should provide a crucial indication of his NHL future.
Read the Full Profile at Maple Leafs Hot Stove and come over the jump for more.
Audience Participation
Rate Caputi below on a scale of 1-10 (10 being the best) based on his performance relative to his potential and your expectations for the season - if he had the best year you could have imagined him having, give him a 10; if he more or less played as you expected he would, give him a 5 or a 6; if he had the worst year you could have imagined him having, give him a 1.
The Discussion
What do you think of Burke's decision to go after a more 'polished' prospect rather than the ethereal 'draft picks'? What did you see as Caputi's strengths and weaknesses during his quarter season in the blue and white? And when will Godd Till write up our hilarious idea for a nickname?
Eye-Candy
Imagine scoring a goal for your childhood team...
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Comments
I had little to no expectations of Caputi this season, and he did little to nothing so….
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Jun 10, 2010 11:32 AM EDT reply actions
GET OUT OF MY BRAIN
My Fan Base Can Beat Up Your Fan Base
by JaredFromLondon on Jun 10, 2010 11:35 AM EDT up reply actions
Ladies and gentlemen, you're cheap third line winger for the next few years, Luca Caputi!
He didn’t play a lot of PK time last year, and to tell you the truth I don’t think he’s that great defensively. But he’s got size and speed and could be good and getting the puck down ice for a shot on goal, thus setting up an offensive zone faceoff. He played on the PP, but only due to a lack of numbers on the team.
If a third line winger can play 10-12 minutes a game and have a 25-30 point season (as his numbers were on track for), then I’d say that’s about right.
Solid 7.
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 has 2nd line hands though, if he was quicker or better positionally I’d say he could be a decent 2 way 2nd liner who can score 45 points.
I’d love to see him develop into a good PP net presence
My Fan Base Can Beat Up Your Fan Base
by JaredFromLondon on Jun 10, 2010 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions
People keep saying he has good hands, but so far that hasn’t really translated at the NHL level. I realize he hasn’t played a ton in the NHL yet, but what I’ve seen so far indicates to me that he’s not making the transition very well. He’s got a long way to go to prove that he can score at the NHL level.
Go, Shero, Go!!! And also Brian Burke.
Agree
He has been successful at getting into good positions but he sure as heck hasn’t finished them.
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speed?
I dunno, I thought his skating was pretty horrible.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Jun 10, 2010 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions
he has very poor acceleration. but his skating is OK. I don’t know if he’s fast, but he’s no Brayden Irwin
Well I doubt there’s another Brayden Irwin in the league.
The number of poor skaters we have is something that worries me.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Jun 10, 2010 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions
like I said before, he is our off speed change up in player form, gonna put him out there with Stalberg and Grabbo, their blazing speed in comparison to his choppy waddling gait will confuse and confound the other teams!
My Fan Base Can Beat Up Your Fan Base
by JaredFromLondon on Jun 10, 2010 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions
I actually think the Leafs’ speed is slightly better than average. We have some slower guys, for sure (Komisarek, Schenn, Orr… do we really think Irwin is going to play for us this year?) but I think that our top-six forwards are fleet of foot. Grabbo, Kulemin, Kessel, Bozak, and Stalberg are all quick, and Kadri’s no slouch. As for our third line, Sjostrom isn’t speedy, but he’s alright, Caputi’s not awful, and Mitchell… well, I’ve seen worse.
"Defense! Defense! Common! Do you call that blowing!?"
Mitchell, Shoe storm and hell, even Orr arn’t Slow skaters, they just dont have great acceleration
My Fan Base Can Beat Up Your Fan Base
by JaredFromLondon on Jun 10, 2010 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Freddy Shoe Shoe Shabidoo is a decent skater all-around, I’d say. I’ve got to disagree with you on Orr, though. I think he’s just lead-footed. The important thing to remember of course, is that it doesn’t matter as much for a guy who plays six minutes a night.
"Defense! Defense! Common! Do you call that blowing!?"
or reminds me of a freight train, he takes FOREVER to get going, but he can get up to a good clip
it takes him to the far blue line to get to that speed, but he isnt “slow” and its one of the reasons he is actually effective on the forcheck
My Fan Base Can Beat Up Your Fan Base
by JaredFromLondon on Jun 10, 2010 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Colton, are you sure you’re going to have enough ice to get up to 88?
The Guess Who sucked, the Jets were lousy anyway
by Plea From A Cat Named Felix on Jun 10, 2010 3:46 PM EDT up reply actions
where I’m going, I don’t need roads
wait…what?
My Fan Base Can Beat Up Your Fan Base
by JaredFromLondon on Jun 10, 2010 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions
When Colton Orr reaches 88 miles per hour, you’re going to see some serious shit.
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.
I bet we would.
The Guess Who sucked, the Jets were lousy anyway
by Plea From A Cat Named Felix on Jun 10, 2010 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Speed?
He was a six for me. Pens 2nd best forward prospect, good AHL numbers, unlucky with the shooting percentage (and team s% with him on ice only 6.85%), average QCOMP and poor QTEAM, decent corsi numbers… I had moderate expectations and he met them.
by The '67 Sound on Jun 10, 2010 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions
i voted 4
Feel free to disagree and explain your reasons, but to me, this is the return we got for Poni, who was one of our legit top6 players. I assumed we were dumping some salary, and in exchange picking up a player several years earlier on the development curve, who’s much cheaper at the moment.
In order for me to be happy with that, the player we get in exchange for Poni has to one day be better than Poni. And I didn’t see any evidence that that was the case. If he’s projecting as a 3rd liner, so what? As as been pointed out ad nauseam, we’ve got tons of those players already. And even if we didn’t they can easily be acquiredly cheaply on the free agent market.
Not that i mind trading Poni. I just hoped the return would have been a more skilled player. 21 years old is a lot closer to being able to step in right away, i get it. But i’d personally rather have gotten a more skilled 18 year old who’s still years away
Unabashed fan of the surprise 2012 Stanley Cup champs
how does turning a 2nd liner today into a 3rd liner tomorrow help us
is my point
Unabashed fan of the surprise 2012 Stanley Cup champs
Because Poni’s gone tomorrow so you take the best you can get.
I do think Caputi still has 2nd line potential. 21 is still very young for all but the most elite of talents.
by The '67 Sound on Jun 10, 2010 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions
fair enough
i guess i’m just disappointed that that was the best we could get for Poni.
Unabashed fan of the surprise 2012 Stanley Cup champs
I think he is a better return than what we got for Antro, sure Blacker might turn into a better player…eventually, but Caputi will be helping the Leafs next year
My Fan Base Can Beat Up Your Fan Base
by JaredFromLondon on Jun 10, 2010 11:59 AM EDT up reply actions
“i’m just disappointed that that was the best we could get for Poni”
did you see Poni play after he got traded? You should be happy you got a prospect out of it. Pens certainly did not benefit from the trade.
by genomachine-O on Jun 11, 2010 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions
Poni no like Pittsburgh, Poni miss Toronto
My Fan Base Can Beat Up Your Fan Base
by JaredFromLondon on Jun 11, 2010 12:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Still 2 years younger than Stalberg, Bozak and Kulemin. Plenty of time.
Leafs Nation: A drinking team with a hockey problem.
by nhlcheapshot on Jun 10, 2010 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions
21 is still very young for all but the most elite of talents.
well said. Caputi hasn’t even played a full NHL season yet. I think just about every player needs at least 100 games in the pro leagues to really “get it” when it comes to development.
I have nothing interesting to say.
by blurr1974 on Jun 10, 2010 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions
How many AHL games has he played?
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Jun 10, 2010 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions
3 in the ECHL: 3 pts.
120 in the AHL: 92 pts.
by The '67 Sound on Jun 10, 2010 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions
yeah
the 120 games in the AHL is the thing that has me thinking he doesn’t have a whole lot more to give
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Jun 10, 2010 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions
.87 ppg in AHL last year. Gabe Desjardins’ NHL Equivalency tool suggests a factor of 0.44, for 0.38 NHL PPG, or 31 points.
Last year Caputi had 6 points, but a 3.3 s%; triple that to 9.9% to strip away bad luck and give him 8 points, that’s a 35pt pace.
Figure he’s still on the upswing and I could easily see him do 40 points. Perfectly fine for a 6th forward at $800k.
by The '67 Sound on Jun 10, 2010 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Kulemin had 36 points last year…. 3 million?
"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 Jun 10, 2010 7:54 PM EDT up reply actions
I miss
Poni.
My mother had Poni. My brother had Poni. Who doesn’t love a Poni?
A Toronto sports blog, where unabashed homerism is alive and well...
everyone loves poni rides
My Fan Base Can Beat Up Your Fan Base
by JaredFromLondon on Jun 10, 2010 11:52 AM EDT up reply actions
Who leaves a team packed with Poni’s to go to a none Poni team?
The Guess Who sucked, the Jets were lousy anyway
by Plea From A Cat Named Felix on Jun 10, 2010 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions
He was a great Poni and I loved him.
A daily Leafs discussion where I do most of the talking Maple Stir-up
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by maplestirup on Jun 10, 2010 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions
What if he had grown a mustache. Then we could have had mustache rides and pony rides all at the same time. Talk about riding your way to heaven.
mushi rides?
ponstashe rides?
My Fan Base Can Beat Up Your Fan Base
by JaredFromLondon on Jun 10, 2010 9:06 PM EDT up reply actions
It appears that Caputi scores one goal per season regardless of the number of games played. The obvious answer is to only dress him for one important game.
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Jeremey Williams syndrome
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by Matt_Roberts on Jun 10, 2010 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions
If I can only pick one game, i’d pick against the Sabres or Bruins.
Leafs can’t buy a goal against Rask and Miller*
*exception: Unless your name is Viktor Stalberg.
Leafs Nation: A drinking team with a hockey problem.
by nhlcheapshot on Jun 10, 2010 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Well, Colton Orr can only score on Brodeur…
Not even the Toronto Maple Leafs could kill my optimism
Tyler Ennis: Freed from Portland!
Colton Orr scored on 4 goalies this year! I think he scored on Rask and Lundquist too
My Fan Base Can Beat Up Your Fan Base
by JaredFromLondon on Jun 10, 2010 3:12 PM EDT up reply actions
Kaleta scored about half of his goals against Henrik Lundqvist. Multiple game winners!
Not even the Toronto Maple Leafs could kill my optimism
Tyler Ennis: Freed from Portland!
what a little turd
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Jun 10, 2010 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions
This leads me to conclude that fourth liners can only score against a particular subset of NHL goalies.
Not even the Toronto Maple Leafs could kill my optimism
Tyler Ennis: Freed from Portland!
I’ve often heard that NHL quality goalies have issues when they play in the NHL on conditioning stints or whatever because the lower quality of the shooters totally blows their timing
My Fan Base Can Beat Up Your Fan Base
by JaredFromLondon on Jun 10, 2010 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions
er when they play in the AHL
My Fan Base Can Beat Up Your Fan Base
by JaredFromLondon on Jun 10, 2010 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Conspiracy
Stay with me here.
1.The fourth liners need to pop a few goals for job security.
2. Giving up goals to fourth liners is not good for a goaltender.
3. Giving up goals to a fourth liner looks a lot less worse when it’s Brodeur or Lunquist giving them up.
4. So maybe the NHLPA made a secret agreement in which Colton Orr is allowed to score a breakaway goal, but it has to be against someone like Brodeur.
5. Thus Orr can justify his $1Millon salary without endangering some poor goaltender’s job.
The Guess Who sucked, the Jets were lousy anyway
by Plea From A Cat Named Felix on Jun 10, 2010 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Just like Burke said the most important man for the leafs this summer is there strength and conditioning coach… Every Leaf should get signed up for Gary Roberts Summer Camp… Smores for all !!
Jembries
At first glance I thought that said “Smokes for all”
A daily Leafs discussion where I do most of the talking Maple Stir-up
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by maplestirup on Jun 10, 2010 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions
if anyone can make you become a stronger better hockey player by smoking its gary roberts.
by ShahofToronto on Jun 10, 2010 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Carey Price sponsered by DuMariuer
Jembries
by oneKesselcul on Jun 10, 2010 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions
FWIW
From my time over a Pensburgh during the playoffs, they were increasingly frustrated that they gave up Caputi for a very limited amount of Poni rides. That and the fact that I think he played well enough while he was here but just seemed snakebitten put him at a 6.
The Guess Who sucked, the Jets were lousy anyway
by Plea From A Cat Named Felix on Jun 10, 2010 12:23 PM EDT reply actions
I gave him a 5. He fell down often and easily (see skating issues) and fanned on/missed too many opportunities.
by pyramidpower on Jun 10, 2010 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions
so you’re saying he’s our Louise Leblanc?
My Fan Base Can Beat Up Your Fan Base
by JaredFromLondon on Jun 10, 2010 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Yea, I saw those same issues but I chalked them up to a bit of bad luck and “squeezing the stick” too hard.
The Guess Who sucked, the Jets were lousy anyway
by Plea From A Cat Named Felix on Jun 10, 2010 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t think Caputi was snakebitten. I think he hasn’t figured out how to score at the NHL level yet.
Also, I think most of the frustration over giving up Caputi for Poni had to do with Poni not really working out. We’ve heard a lot about how great Caputi was going to be, but it didn’t translate in the few games he played in Pittsburgh since we got him. Personally, I think Poni and Caputi are pretty similar: they both get your hopes up, and while they do okay, they never quite give you what you were hoping they’d give you.
Go, Shero, Go!!! And also Brian Burke.
A s% of 3.3 is not reflective of true talent for a kid who popped for 0.87 ppg in the AHL. Everything we know about translating abilities between leagues tells us he should be within the range of NHL s%, i.e. somewhere in the 8-12% range.
If he can be a 30-45 point guy I’ll be perfectly happy.
by The '67 Sound on Jun 10, 2010 5:03 PM EDT up reply actions
bu as we all know
35 point players get $3M as RFA’s right?
we’re screwed
Unabashed fan of the surprise 2012 Stanley Cup champs
I should have read further...
"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 Jun 10, 2010 7:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Kule is a lot more valuable than as just a “35 point player”. Don’t worry.
by The '67 Sound on Jun 11, 2010 8:45 AM EDT up reply actions
5
Such a small sample size with the Leafs.
For a 800k cap hit, barely a rookie, my expectations were not high. Glad we have 1 more season of him and Stalberg to evaluate before giving a raise.
Leafs Nation: A drinking team with a hockey problem.
Gave Caputi a 7 because he’s worth about a 7
A daily Leafs discussion where I do most of the talking Maple Stir-up
And now I'm on Twitter! TweetUp
He’s already appeared on Off The Record. I just assumed his career was already over.
@LakerCaptain
by Another Good Kingston Boy on Jun 10, 2010 12:53 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
I had to give him a 5. I bought a little into the hype of being the Pens’ best prospect, and was really expecting him to excel in at least one category (shooting, skating, hockey IQ), but was really not markedly impressed by any of them. Then I believed he might’ve been the Byfuglien-esque “He’s great from 10 feet out or less,” but just wasn’t thrilled with his screens, nor his play when the puck is in his feet.
But the good thing is I think he’s very coachable, he’s young, and he’s definitely got potential. Keep him cheap, and I’m happy to give him time to develop. So for this season, a 5.
he was the Pens 2nd best prospect after Tangridi, but that was more because their prospect pool blows than him being really good or anything
My Fan Base Can Beat Up Your Fan Base
by JaredFromLondon on Jun 10, 2010 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions
if he's 2nd best
then the Pens are really screwed once those stiffs Crosby and Malkin start slowing down in a decade or so. Suckers!
Unabashed fan of the surprise 2012 Stanley Cup champs
I’m wondering how Pierro-Zabotel will work out.
In the WHL he seemed to be able to put up tons of points next to genuine talent (Evander Kane). I wonder how well he’d mesh with either Crosby or Malkin.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Jun 10, 2010 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m wondering how Pierro-Zabotel will work out.
Not very well, he can’t even crack the AHL roster. He dominated against WHL thanks to being older than everyone and having Evander Kane for a linemate.
oh wow
I knew he dominated because he had Kane on his line, but I thought he was one of those players who just worked well with star players.
I was not aware he couldn’t even crack the AHL roster.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Jun 11, 2010 7:31 PM EDT up reply actions
The Penguins have bare cupboards because all of their high round picks from the last few years immediately jumped to the pros: Malkin, Crosby, Staal, MAF.
Then they had no picks in rounds 1-3 for 2008, and then the last two picks in round 1 and 2 for 2009. But with Crosby , Malkin, and Staal there for life, they’ll be fine.
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.
Beauchemin Gives Phaneuf a "C"
I am not sure if this has been commented on but Francois Beauchemin is quoted on RDS as saying that even if he was presented with the Leafs captaincy his choice would be Dion Phaneuf.
Here is the link in French: http://www.rds.ca/hockey/chroniques/300462.html
“Même si je suis pressenti pour le poste, mon choix c’est Dion Phaneuf, avoue Beauchemin, qui précisera sa pensée avec l’équipe de L’Antichambre ce soir. C’est un gars qui n’hésite pas à prendre la parole. Il a une excellente attitude et il prend le temps d’encourager les jeunes.”
Translation: “Even if I was given the job my choice is Beauchemin … He’s a guy who doesn’t hesitate to speak his mind. He has a great attitude and he takes the time to help out the young players”.
by Raja Pakkomielle on Jun 10, 2010 6:25 PM EDT reply actions
Thanks, this is interesting info!
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Jun 10, 2010 6:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Mmm, I’ve long forgotten the french I studied, but I’m pretty sure “mon choix c’est Dion Phaneuf” doesn’t translate to “my choice is Beauchemin.”
My Bad
That’s what happens when you are proofreading all day — proofreading mistakes. Yes, of course, “my choice is Phaneuf”. Apologies to Francois and Dion.
by Raja Pakkomielle on Jun 10, 2010 7:59 PM EDT up reply actions
I gave him a 5. He did fairly well early on, but then became somewhat invisible in the last half of his games. Given his lack of experience, it wasn’t surprising that he wasn’t able to make an immediate impact. I’m thinking we’ll see more of the same from him early next year as he gets more NHL game experience under his belt. Mayhap by the second half, we’ll start seeing some more consistent production from him, which would then lead to him assuming a solid, second line role for 2011-2012.
by World's Worst Man on Jun 10, 2010 6:28 PM EDT reply actions
From the Penguins perspective: there were whispers Caputi won’t be getting up to 215-220 pound range any time soon (I think he played close to 185-190) so they felt he would never become the prototypical power forward and worth giving up to get Ponikarovsky.
Well that didn’t work out.
But still, good luck to Caputi.
Welcome
Thanks for joining.
Well, it’s 19 games plus his AHL body of work.
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