REFLECTIONS AT THE HALF

I had predicted that the Leafs would make the playoffs following the pre-season and in "Reflections After the First Quarter", I said I thought they still had a shot despite a poor start.  I'm now afraid the playoffs aren't going to happen this year. 

Note however that the Leafs have 5 forwards: Grabovski, Kessel, Macarthur, Kulemin and Versteeg with 30 points or more (ok the Ks are at 29, but very close).  I haven't checked them all, but I wonder how many teams have that many forwards with those point levels.  Granted, we do not have the 40+ point stars (at the half) that most contenders do, but we do have talent. As management never tires of pointing out, this is also young squad.  So there is still promise.

The inability to score goals at the outset seems to have subsided, but the defense and goaltending are underperforming. This is significant as they gobble up most of the salary. The leafs are also not truculent.  Biggest needs are more consistent defence and goaltending and a big dominant center who can play with Kessel and, most likely, Versteeg.

At the quarter I rated everyone as either A (outperforming), B (meeting expectations) or C (underperforming).  This confused all of you who were used to seeing F's on your report cards, so in light of your squawking, this time we will have the five ratings you are used to A,B,C,D and F.

 I'm only rating players that have played more than 10 games and that are with the team now. Assume that those who started with the Leafs and are now with the Marlies would get a D or an F.

 After the jump for player by player ratings.

As last time, we'll start in net and work our way out.

Jean-Sebastien Giguere

C 

A C might be generous.  The bottom line is that this is an expensive goaltender who has not been the difference in many (any?) games.  His play does not match his salary. The nagging groin injury compounds the problem.

Jonas Gustavsson

 C

I had Gustavsson "trending towards A"  at the quarter. Although he hasn't had much support, like JSG, he has not been the difference on many nights.  His positional play seems off at times, and he goes down early, a fact that is clearly known around the league - see how often people go high on him.  Still lots of potential, but it might be a long season for the Monster if JSP stays out (although Reimer is looking promissing).

Dion Phaneuf

D

Dion sat out a fair bit due to his injury, but his numbers have not improved from the quarter. Where are the big hits? Why can't he hit the net on a point shot? If he were doing both those things I at least could forgive defensive lapses, but bottom line is that the captain is underperforming given his salary and expectations.

 Numbers: 1 goals, 6 assists and -4

Mike Komisarek

D

Trending towards F given his salary.  The giveaway king on this team, which is saying something. Not looking like a good acquisition and overpaid.

 Numbers: 1 goal, 8 assists and -1

Francois Beauchemin

C

At the first quarter Beauchemin was playing solid stay at home defence. He still does that on most nights, but has caught a bit of the giveaway bug.  Down to a C.  I still like him overall and expect that he will pick it up for the balance of the season.

 Numbers: 1 goal, 9 assists and -4

Luke Schenn

B

Down from an A in the first quarter.  Schenn is still our best defenceman, but he has not been quite as dominant as he was out of the gate. He could be tired. 

Numbers: 2 goal, 7 assists and -3

Tomas Kaberle

B

Some of you were upset witht the C rating after the first quarter.  I gave him a C on the basis that as an offensive defenseman his stats should be better. They are now. Going  from 10 to 27 assists brings him up to a B.  And look at his plus minus, which is much better than last year.  Kabi, now that you picked it up, could you please waive your no trade clause.

Numbers: 1 goals, 27 assists and -1

Carl Gunnarsson

B

Same assessment as last time: Ever so quietly doing his job.  Nothing fancy, but solid defensive work. No sophomore slouch here.

Numbers: 1 goal, 4 assist and -1

Brett Lebda

F

Brett Lebda was the main reason everyone was clamoring for an F rating. Here you go guys.

Brett has actually looked slightly better, but his numbers are still absolutely terrible.

Numbers: 0 goals, 1 assists, -18.

Tyler Bozak

D

Half a season is enough time for Bozak to prove that he is not a number one centre. His rating suffers, perhaps unfairly, because of the expectations this team puts on him. I do not see potential here based on his performance so far.

Numbers: 7 goals, 9 assists, -10

Mikhail Grabovski

A

Still an A. The best Leaf.  Great speed.  Great scoring touch.  Good playmaking.  Good on backcheck.  The number one centre and MVP on this team.

Numbers: 17  goals,15 assists and +5.

Nikolai Kulemin

A

Up from B.  Great chemistry with Grabo and Macarthur.  Grinds in the corners, hits, backchecks, great playmaking and he scores. 

Numbers: 15 goals, 14 assists and +1.

Phil Kessel

C

Down from a B, which was on the generous side at the quarter.  He needs obviously needs a better center, but not much to watch on most nights.

Usually a much faster skater when heading away from his own goal, which accounts in part for the godawful plus minus.  As does his annoying tendency to carry the puck across the blue line and onto the sticks of the opposition. Ok scoring, although not on track for 40 goals as hoped  and few clutch goals. 

Still promise if matched with a dominant center and could still make 40 if he picks it up for the second half.  Come on Kessel, we know you can do it.

Numbers:17 goals12 assists, -15.

Kris Versteeg

B

Up from C.  Said he could easily turn things around at the first quarter, and he has.  Less giveaways, more playmaking and better shots on goal.  -10 looks bad, but he was -8 at the quarter, so has impoved significantly (as have goals and assists - he had 5 in each category at the quarter.  Great trade.

Numbers: 12 goals, 18 assists and -10.

Clarke MacArthur

A

At the quarter there was still a possibility that his scoring and overall good play was fluke, but not so. He is the real deal.  Prediction: Burke will pay 2.5 million to re-sign MacArthur and keep his line together.   Does it all: scoring, playmaking, working the corners, checking and backchecking. Great signing.

Number: 12 goals, 21 assists and even

Fredrik Sjostrom

C

Down from a B.  Sjostrom is still good on most nights. Doesnt seem to have the same checking energy he did at the start. May have been adversely affected by the absence of Mike Brown who complements him well.

Numbers: goals 1, assists 3 and -7.

Colton Orr

B

Not sure how your rate a fighter, but he seems to give and take punches as well as most in the league, so we cant fault him.

John Mitchell

D

Not impressive at all.

Numbers: 1 goal, 1 assist and -2.

Tim Brent

C

Still fulfilling his role as a fourth line plugger. Good energy, but showing some defensive lapses. Down from B.

Numbers: 3 goals, 3 assist and -7

Colby Arstrong

C

Im leaving him at a C.  He has spent too much time out to merit a reassessment. The comment at the quarter was that he needed to draw more penalties.  He has done that well - perhaps at the expense of his health - since his return from the thumb injury.  If he keeps it up he should be up to a B soon.

Numbers: 5 goal, 4 assists and -1.