Toronto Maple Leafs quietly put together great offseason

[yave1964]

Oh what the hell. I hijacked part of Polaris post about Tochett with some of this and apologize. I just wanted to touch on the offseason the Leafs have had.

 

 In the frenzy they added Stephan Robidas, a solid defenseman who can play when he isn't breaking his leg (apparently he likes doing this having done this twice and dealing for Roman Polak who is a steady as she goes back end guy. That was it. a few tweaks, trading for Frattin from Columbus. Nothing else.

 But since then not a week has went by that the Leafs haven't added a valuable piece to the puzzle. 

  Last year the bottom six was wretched, ungodly bad. The stars did what they could, their tongues were dragging by the end and the team fell out of the race because of a combination of bad play by rookies and career AHLers trying to play important NHL minutes.

 

The rookies, D'amigo, Ashton, and the rest were particularly bad. No offense, minus players looking completely out of sorts. The veterans such as Bodie and Trevor Smith are career minor leaguers for a reason.

 So Shanahan and company have went out and it seems every week signed a piece of the puzzle to make the bottom six a plus and not a gaping chasm.

 

Mike Santorelli, a guy with offensive acumen came over from Vancouver. Perfect third pair guy.

 

David Booth likewise from Vancouver, zero risk, high reward, could pot 20-25 goals with this team.

 

Leo Komarov back from Europe to try again. Popular, talented, has third line center or at worst fourth liner written all over him.

 

Frattin back by popular demand for D'amigo who looked lost all year. Frattin knows the system and knows his role.

 

Daniel Winnick, a fourth liner who scored 30 points last year for the Ducks. Excellent PK man.

 

Petri Kontiola long considered one of Europes best playmakers, if he works the third line center is fixed just like that, or maybe he moves into the second slot. If it doesnt, they are out nothing.

 

  And most important they told Dave Bolland to take a hike rather than give in to his damands for a ridiculous contract extention. He is a solid player, or was pre-achilles injury, His contract given out by Florida was wretched.

 

 So no bad contracts, a bunch of low risk, high reward players. Some will work, others wont but there is enough to give the needed depth to prevent playing the top tier forwards to death and to allow the kids to learn gradually rather than being thrown into the fire. My initial reaction the the Leafs offseason was meh, not much to see here, that was a month ago. Since then Shanny has quietly and without much fanfare fixed this teams biggest weakness.

 

Now if he can only do something about Clarkson and Reimer.

[TropicalFruitGirl26]

Thought I would give this thread a **BUMP** and add to it....

It's an old link now (about 10 days old), but it is relevant to the @yave1964 's off season angle on the OP......plus, as was mentioned in other threads, it IS August, and it is slow.... hehe.

 

Anyways, from Manitoba's Brandon Sun:

http://www.brandonsun.com/sports/breaking-news/kessel-says-maple-leafs-will-be-prepared-to-prevent-another-tailspin-269744891.html?thx=y

 

Phil Kessel feels his team, with the off season maneuvers, is better 'prepared' and shouldn't have a tailspin like they did last year.

Ok...great to have confidence, and coming from a high profile player on the team like Kessel, that is nice to see.

 

But I think that regardless of what anyone thinks of how well the Leafs did in the off season, who they added, who they removed, it is always going to come down to actual performance, and then, and ONLY then, will the proverbial monkey be off the Leafs' collective backs (and Kessel's personally), in the sense that people will stop expecting Toronto to fold when they should be moving full steam ahead.

 

You know, Toronto DID have a bad stretch, as Kessel put it, last season, and it cost them post season play, and it just so happens that the team had that bad stretch at the WORST possible time....the end of the season.

Still though, that 'bad stretch' comes on the heels of the previous season where Toronto, by all rights, had the Bruins beat in the playoffs, should have eliminated Boston, yet somehow, were upended in unbelievable fashion, and the Leafs ended up getting sent home bruised, battered, disappointed, and thoroughly disoriented due to the sudden change in their fortunes.

 

Yes, I know, bad stretch one year, momentary lapse that leads to elimination the year before...two different cases, but the common denominator was: The Leafs folded both times....and both times it seems it was their defensive play (or lack thereof) that was responsible.

And until they prove otherwise, words like what Kessel put out there will be just that. 

I give the Leafs all sorts of crap myself and expect them to do well, then NOT do well when it matters most.

 

But I do agree their off season was pretty good and that, once again, on paper, they should do well.

They seemingly addressed some needs on defense, made no outlandish signings or acquisitions, and should have a healthy Jonathan Bernier for the season, with James Reimer being a capable backup to give him rest.

These are things that should all be positives for the Leafs....and they are....but Kessel and his team will simply need to prove it on the ice.

They get no pass simply because many consider them "Canada's team"....lol, yea, I know, fans in Montreal and other Canadian cities may take issue with that, but that is the moniker that gets thrown out there at times.  

 

Toronto will need to prove themselves just as a team like a would be contender like Tampa Bay or Philadelphia will need to....and just like an expected bottom dweller like Buffalo or Carolina will need to.

No different....except that the Leafs DO have more talent than 'bottom dwelling' teams and they should have enough talent to play with the contenders.

 

Are the Leafs REALLY better prepared this coming season? On paper, sure....but proof is in the playing and that is where guys like Phil Kessel need to put up, or shut up.

Edited August 13, 2014 by TropicalFruitGirl26

[yave1964]

@TropicalFruitGirl26

To me the Leafs absolutely no doubt have to trade, cut or decapitate James Reimer before the start of the year.

He lost his last ten starts. His only two wins were when Bernier was injured and he had to step in an emergency situation. Other than that, 10 starts 10 losses. Ugly ugly hockey.

IMHO Losing to Boston in game 7 ruined Reimer, then they dealt for Bernier and more or less put him in as the starter, and then Reimer lost the confidence of his coach and then lost his own self confidence. To me it speaks volumes that he came in twice for Bernier when he didn't have time to prepare and played solid hockey but ten starts, ten losses.

He signed a 2 year deal at I believe 4.7 million dollars, I read elsewhere that it was the perfect deal, he signed a very tradeable contract on purpose, two years is enough to hopefully entice a team to give him a crack. My opinion is he is talented, he deserves another shot, (the Jets?) and will be okay if he gets in there. But Reimer's ship has sailed in Toronto. Other than him returning, I think the Leafs had a solid offseason.

[TropicalFruitGirl26]

@yave1964

 

Hmmm...you know, it hadn't occurred to me that Reimer's contract could be one for trade value.

I agree.

For as long as Bernier is playing for Toronto, Reimer WILL have to settle for a backup role, and I understand goalies can be a mentally volatile bunch, so losing confidence (either in himself, or perceived lost confidence by the coaching staff), can drop a goaltender's play down...and fast.

 

I'd love to get our new, longtime Leaf's fan take on all this...

@axman15 , the floor is yours sir.

 

Give us your take on the Leafs' off season maneuvering, Reimer, Kessel, and what YOU expect from Toronto in October.   

[Podein25]

I find myself, through all fault of my own, in the weird and wacky place of cheering, hoping, praying for a winning Leafs season. I may even sacrifice a virgin sheep - anything to help them.

 

You see, I traded Jake Voracek, who I love, along with prospects and picks to get Jonathan Bernier in my keeper. You have to have two starting/winning goalies to win our league. They have to play lots of minutes, save lots of pucks and win a fair share of games. Bernier was the only real starter-to-be available. I had to make a move.  

 

I'm hoping the addition of Robidas and Polak will help Bernier. Because he was shellacked last year: multiple games with 45+ shots. A few over 50 I think. Average must have been over 40. 

[axman15]

I really hope the team trades Reimer. He is a good backup/insurance for us, but it isn't doing anything for him as a player. He's not developing, and despite what he's said of late, it's quite clear that he isn't happy in Toronto.

 

The problem is, I'm not sure where they should trade him to. He wants to start somewhere, but there is no place for him to start at the moment. Every team that entered the offseason with questions in net have, for the most part, answered them. That leaves the Leafs with a choice of either trading him well below value, or holding onto a guy who doesn't want to sit on the bench. Of what I've seen, Reimer is a good guy, and I don't think he would purposly cause any issues in the room if he is unhappy. However, with the way that the Toronto media will grab onto even the smallest quote and take it well out of proportion, you never know.

 

As for the rest of the offseason, I don't really have a stance. We entered with a few holes, and those holes still exist going into training camp. The defense lost Gunnerson, and added Robidas and Polak. There's a chance that Franson will be traded, and Granberg has a shot to make the roster as well. I like the Gardiner signing, it was something that I feel we had to get done. But do I think that we are better on defense now? Not so much. Phaneuf is still the number 1 guy (different topic for a different day), and any improvement will hinge on the developement of Reilly/Gardiner. We know what Robidas and Polak are going to bring to the table. We know what Phaneuf is going to do. For me, this is still an average defense group.

 

Up front, we lost Bolland, a guy who didn't play much last year due to injury (we're gonna end up regretting that trade. Some decent picks for a guy who played 16 games for Toronto), McClemment, and Raymond. In return we added a ton of 3rd/4th line depth players. The possible line combonations are endless. We didn't really get any upgrades, but we did add more depth which will be a big help. We also didn't lose much.

 

This is a real make or break year for a few guys in particular. Halfway through the season management is going to have a much better idea of what they have going forward in guys like Holland, Clarkson, Gardiner, etc.

 

Overall, this is still a fringe playoff team. A 6/7/8 seed in the East is a real possibility, but so is a bottom 5 finish. 

 

Here's how I would predict the lines going into the season...

 

JVR-Bozak-Kessel

Lupul-Kadri-Booth

Komarov-Holland-Santorelli

Winnick-Kontiola-Clarkson

(Frattin, Ashton)

 

Gardiner-Phaneuf

Reilly-Robidas

Franson-Polak

(Granberg)

 

Bernier

Reimer

[Podein25]

@axman15

 

Good post. Well written and well thought-out

[axman15]

@axman15

 

Good post. Well written and well thought-out

 

Much appriciated. That's an offseason of thoughts right there

[Podein25]

@axman15

 

You must like the Komarov (re) signing eh? I know he's a 3rd/4th liner as you say, but in my limited viewings, he's exactly the kind of player the Leafs need more of. Love his moxie.

 

I also like Holland and think he can be a bona fide NHLer. He was a top-20 first rounder after all and was a prolific scorer at one point. I think he is trying to find that part of his game again after learning how to be a more complete pro in the Anaheim organization. 

[axman15]

Huge fan of it. I heard a lot of people say that he was overpayed, but there is no real value that you can tie with what he brings to the team. He is the kind of guy that every successful team needs (not calling the Leafs successful), and he knows what his role is. A very good professional.

 

This could very well be Holland's breakout season. If he can get enough ice time, we could see 20+ goals IMO. That could be a problem though, finding the ice time on a team with so many centermen.

[TropicalFruitGirl26]

Huge fan of it. I heard a lot of people say that he was overpayed, but there is no real value that you can tie with what he brings to the team. He is the kind of guy that every successful team needs (not calling the Leafs successful), and he knows what his role is. A very good professional.

 

This could very well be Holland's breakout season. If he can get enough ice time, we could see 20+ goals IMO. That could be a problem though, finding the ice time on a team with so many centermen.

 

First off, @axman15 , nice off season answer post.....I would expect nothing less from you! Hehe.

 

Second, I like the Komarov signing.

I was about as surprised as people who knew about him that Toronto didn't given him a contract before he left for the KHL.

 

I'v always wanted a guy like that on the Lightning.....good FO guy, hard checker, and aggravating as all hell to play against.....and he does it while taking minimal penalties himself.

 

I won't expect a ton of offense from him myself, but given the other forwards on the team, he really shouldn't need to be an goal scoring force...anything from him in that category can be viewed as a bonus.

 

Also, on Reimer, Winnipeg was mentioned by some on this site.

 

Hmm...Evander Kane has been shopped by the Jets...he seems a bit disenchanted over there....Reimer doesn't seem happy in with the Leafs (nor seem to have a proper place if he won't really settle in as a back-up)....perhaps a package of Reimer and say, a Tyler Bozak to Winnipeg for Evander Kane and maybe a pick?

Edited August 14, 2014 by TropicalFruitGirl26

[yave1964]

@axman15

Welcome to the Forums!! good bunch of posters in here.

Last year the bottom six were wretched for your boys, absolutely horrible. The depth they added will mean the big boys wont be dragging down the stretch. I think it was a quality postseason for the Leafs.

[axman15]

I like the changes too, I'm just not sure how much success they will add up to. But you're right, our bottom 6 forwards were brutal last year. Clarkson and Bolland both failed miserably (both for different reasons), and a revolving cast of players tried in those roles also couldn't get the job done.

 

On Reimer to Winnipeg, I've heard that too, but I get the feeling that the Jets are going to see what they have in net before they go out and make a move. Is Reimer really that much better than Pavelec? I'm not sure he is. 

 

I wouldn't mind the Leafs acquiring Kane at all, he'd fit in nicely on our second line with Kadri/Lupul. But I'd rather not give up Bozak in the deal, even if that's a dealbreaker. Bozak is the closest thing we have to a #1 center at this point (Kadri has the potential, but I need to see a bit more out of him before considering giving him the spot), and say what you want, but he does have chemistry with Kessel. He's just too big a piece of our team at the moment to deal for a guy like Kane. 

 

Don't get me wrong though, if we could work out a deal for Kane without trading Kessel/JVR/Bozak/Kadri/Reilly/Gardiner, I'd be all for it. That's not likely to happen though.

[jammer2]

@axman15  Love your choice of Nylander as your avatar. He is the future. I was laughing at the commenters on TSN, cutting up young Nylander for his one goal at Modo. What they don't realize is it's a young kid playing against men in one of the worlds very best leagues. You know who else *only* scored one goal for Modo in his draft year?.....Peter Forsberg.

[axman15]

If he can turn into Forsberg, that would be a dream come true.

 

I'd be happy with even 'just' a league average #1 center. I don't mind his play for MODO, as you said he was playing against men in a very tough league. It sets him up well to be able to jump into the NHL (or even the AHL) sooner than most players his age.

[jammer2]

@axman15  My gut tells me he needs another year of seasoning. He can add speed and smarts right now, which could be tempting....but in the end, you gotta do what is best for the kid. Despite his year of playing against men in Modo, he might just need one more year of development before making the big jump. Just this story alone will make training camp very interesting this year. The Leafs have not had a legit #1 center since Mats left, so eventually, if not this year then next he will fill a huge void.