September 23, 2009.
The Leafs biggest difference on defense this year will come from the two summer acquisitions of Mike Komisarek and Francois Beauchemin. Komisarek adds the size and intimidation to the starting 4 the team has been in dire need of – a good fit as Tomas Kaberle’s defense partner. Beauchemin also plays a gritty game, but with a more notable amount of skill and should work fine with sophomore Luke Schenn.. That’s likely the plan for now. Whether Kaberle gets traded down the road or another defenseman steps into the picture is all part of the rebuilding game.
How much the Leafs can improve their goals against average will be the deciding factor as to whether they are playoff bound or not, and while goaltending and getting the forwards to backcheck harder will be critical - clearing the net, and battling along the boards will be just as important: areas that ‘Komi and Beau’ are most effective.
In fact it seems in the early going their physical presence is providing the team leadership qualities as well as changing the overall image of the club into a much nastier, harder team to play against. GM Brian Burke is trying to make this team look similar to his Anaheim cup team of a few years ago, and while there is no Chris Pronger or Scott Niedermayer here, the defense does look notably improved – the starting place to building a cup team.
1 comments:
Good stuff.. This is the biggest defense in Toronto, since the days of Al Iafrate..lol
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