The Leafs Off-Season Review

Mathew Mastrofrancesco
September 8, 2009.

With the NHL preseason nearing and no moves likely going to happen before camp opens here is a look at the things that did and did not happen with Brian Burke`s first off-season tenure.

Forwards


Players In-
Colton Orr,Rikard Wallin, Rich Greenop,Tim Brent, Nazem Kadri, Wayne Primeau

Players Out-
Colin Stuart, Boyd Deveraux,Brad May,Jeff Hamiton,Tim Stapleton,Nik Antropov,Dominic Moore

Jason Blake-With his 25 goals last season he will be expected to put up the numbers need for this team to score. He is one of the guys that will have the weight of Leaf Nations expectations on him.

Tyler Bozak-Signed out of college with rumors of more then 20 teams after him he signs here and will be fighting for one of the center spots. Many think he has the second line center role and its his to lose but if he doesn't show up or even out play Stajan or Grabovski or even Allison he can say hi to the Marlies this year.

Mikhail Grabovski- Leafs nation is split between him and Stajan for who is number 1 center on this team. He has a wider skill set up front then Stajan but can he put that to use this year. He showed alot of Chemistry with Kulemin and Hagman but will he be able to continue that.He is going to try and hold onto number 1 center which can go either way from him or Stajan.He can be intense when needed and has shown flashes of brilliance when he has the puck.

Richard Greenop- Brought in for his toughness and is going to try and outplay the likes of Colton Orr.He will most likely be a couple spots down on the call-up list if he cant outplay Orr for the fighter role on this team.Very slim chance he gets a call-up this year.

Niklas Hagman- Hagman at times was the leafs top guy last year but with his concussions he just couldn`t turn it on after them. If he gets the same start as last year and no injury problems he might break the 30 goal plateau but he will need to find chemistry and run with it.

Nik Kulemin- Kulemin is a example of Leafs Nation. A player that enters the leafs and comes in with high hopes. Now before i get eaten alive by the hordes of fans that will kill em for saying it Kulemin is a great player but will not be a 1st line guy for a NHL team. He will try to fulfill his 2nd line potential but i see him as a 3rd line guy when we become contenders. He has skill and size from this off-season. He can hit,score and dangle but is not top line material.

Jamal Mayers- Wow where to start. He is one of the players most likely either sent to the Marlies, scratched or waived. Why did Fletcher even trade for him i will never know. We have a better version of him in Mitchell. Now with Orr he will not be needed so his last game last year was his finally in his hometown unless he can show up in camp and play his @$$ off.

John Mitchell- He was very unexpected last year but is an example for all the young players. Was always passed over when call-ups came even though he was leading Marlies scorer 2 years ago and the only with 20 goals. He outplays people in cmap and makes the big league then shows up there. Why eh never got a call-up many will wonder but now he is here and will be here for awhile as a 3rd 4th line guy.Many will remember his 2 goal performance vs the rangers that brought out 5 goal outburst 3rd period.

Colton Orr- He was brought in to make sure that the “star” players aren't touched and hopefully he can do that. Known as one of the top fighters or “goons” in the league.

Alex Ponikarovski- He will be staying but the one question for everyone is- WILL HE BE ABLE TO PLAY WITHOUT ANTROPOV.

Wayne Primeau- The first bad deal by Brian Burke in my opinion. Traded away a younger version of him in Colin Stuart and a very good defensive prospect in Stralman. Yes the second is there but Primeau is more then likely not going to see playing time early in the season.

Matt Stajan- He will be fighting for 1 center spot on the buds. Can pass score and play defensive. Does he have what it takes to lead? Maybe. If he wants number 1 he will need to be more physical but when need be, he is back. Has many split reactions around leafs nation. People saying trade him Others saying keep him. If he can get that out of his mind then we should be expecting maybe 20-40 from him if he gains chemistry with him.

Lee Stempniak- Lee was hated by some since he entered the center of the hockey universe. Traded for Steen and Colaiacovo but couldn't get anything going. Will need to regain 27 goal form to stay.

Rikard Wallin- Relatively unknown till this season after he ditched the NHL for Sweden.Captain of Farjestad and will probably be a 3rd fourth line guy but can he translate his game to the NHL and stay this time.

Defense


Players In- Francois Beachimin, Mike Komisarek, Garnett Exelby.

Players Out- Pavel Kubina, Anton Stralman.

Francois Beachmin- Help Brian Burke win a cup Anaheim and is basically one of the guaranteed top 4 guys. Will most likely be playing with Kaberle. Brings some experience and some toughness with a bit of offense to this heavily goonish defense.

Garnett Exelby- Was acquired in a deal for Kubina. Burke has stated he would like him to be the number 6 guy on this team. Will bring in some toughness to what was a very weak squad.

Jeff Finger- One guy that leafs nation would love to get off the books but not massively overpaid. Showed some defensive games last year but his foot speed is very slow and he needs to improve that very much.

Jonas Frogren- Might want to re-think his position and why he came to the NHL. He was a very good defensive guy last year but will not see very much ice this year. We can expect maybe 10 games may see some call-up time but don't expect alot from “Froggy”

Tomas Kaberle- Kabby has been a top guy for this team for many years. Known as one of the leagues best puck-moving defenders. Will try to put all the trade talks behind him but with more toughness and less offense coming from the defense he will be heavily relied on.

Mike Komisarek- Was the “enemy for a very long time but has proven to make the big defensive plays when called upon. Many say he should get the “C” before Luke but he will need to prove his worth first. He will be in the top four as already stated by Burke and will see his former teammates six times as well as Lucic.

Phil Oreskovich- Will not see any time with the big club but will be near the top if an injury occurs. He his big and strong and will be able to add the toughness needed. Will not get alot of playing time but he will probe his worth sooner or later to this team.

Luke Schenn- “Lucky Luke” will be in his sophomore season and after a great performance to start last season slowed down and now will try to break the sophomore slump jinx. He will be a top 4 guy this season and will become good.

Mike Van Ryn- Mike showed he can play in this league but will soon become the new Colaiacovo. He can play but he always misses games. If he can stay un-injured then maybe he can squeak in but right now I don't see him in. He will have to show up in camp.

Ian White- Ian White is a very tricky guy for this squad. He went from bench to trade rumors to press box to one of the leafs top guys last year. He plays with heart and size even tho he doesn't have much of it. Burke has stated that he will have to fight his way into the top 6 but if not maybe another stint at forward.

Goalies

Players In- Jonas Gustavsson, Joey Macdonald

Players Out- Justin Pogge.

Vesa Toskala- Had an injury plagued season and will need to step it up. Leafs Nation will be looking for some outstanding goaltending or Toskala will be gone at seasons end. He can do ti but his groin has been a problem this past season and he will try to fight with Gustavsson for starter he will be in tough but he can rebound and the hopes for playoffs lie within him.

Jonas Gustavsson- The monster was well known after his outstanding performance in the Swedish league. Known as the best goalie not in the NHL at the time. He will see anywhere from 20-30 games as a backup unless he can outplay Toskala. He will have to adopt to the smaller ice though.

Joey Macdonald- May see lie 5 games if injury occurs but he will be the Marlies starter with James Reimer he will try to make the big club but has a very steep hill to climb.

Team Lineup

Nik Hagman-Mikhail Grabovski-Nik Kulemin
Jason Blake-Matt Stajan-Alex Ponikarovski
Lee Stempniak-Tyler Bozak-John Mitchell
Wayne Primeau-Rikard Wallin-Colton Orr

Mike Komisarek-Tomas Kaberle
Luke Schenn-Francois Beachmin
Garnett Exelby-Jeff Finger

Vesa Toskala
Jonas Gustavsson

We can probably expect 210-230 goals for including outbreaks and busts, around 4 non-injury call-ups, probably 200-220 goals against and anywhere from 6th spot to 11th. Sorry for the tankers but say bye to Taylor Hall dreams and Kiril Kabanov, But the rebuild is almost over and the leafs are very close to playoffs.