Sunday, September 18, 2011

NHL SEASON 2010 VS 2011, WHAT HAS CHANGED?

On paper, the Leafs look like they could contend for a playoff spot right?  Isn't that what most people said last year?

Let me list a few points about what the critics said before the 2010 season.
  • Forwards need to help Phil Kessel
  • Defense needs to play better.
  • Need solid goaltending.
Last season, it was predicted Kessel would score 35 goals if he stays healthy.  In fact he scored 32 with no NHL center.  The team had plenty of grinders and tough guys and by committee scored plenty of goals.  The big free agent signing was Colby Armstrong penciled in to play the third line checking role.  Versteeg was synonymous with "key signing" and "big contributions".  Bozak was considered a wildcard and people had faith in his abilities to deliver.  The Kulemin, Grabovski and MacArthur line was strong in preseason and looked like worthy secondary scoring unit.  The bottom six were a mash of pluggers but not many questions existed.

The critics were applauding the Maple Leaf defense corps as one of the better in the East on paper.  In preseaon they performed admirably but as the season progressed, it was clear the team lacked toughness and leadership on the back-end.  This was further magnified when Dion Phaneuf was removed from the lineup due to injury.

Recall:
Dion Phanuef - Francois Beauchemin
Tomas Kaberle - Mike Komisarek
Luke Schenn - Carl Gunnarsson
Jeff Finger

Lebda and Lashoff were injured to start the season.  Komisarek was healthy and predicted to be a big part of the resurgence with the Leafs.  Kaberle would produce at his usual pace.  Schenn & Gunnarsson would try to shut-down other teams.  The biggest concern the critics have known was where the offense would come from and would the defense be tougher to play against.

Giguere was the all-around model player for the Maple Leafs.  He showed leadership and had the hardware to prove he can compete in the playoffs.  The biggest concern was if Gustavsson would live up to his potential.  Giguere played surprisingly well and not many questioned his durability.  Critics believed if the defense faltered, the goaltending would be strong enough to make up the difference.

After another disappointing end to the season, many critics were wondering why the coach did not shoulder more blame from the GM.

The start of the 2011 season has not altered the thinking of what needs to improve.  The scoring, defense, and goaltending all need to improve.  Preseason will give fans and critics a chance to evaluate if the team has made strides to improve in key areas.

Schennsational

I was not surprised with the final negotiations between Luke Schenn / Agent and Maple Leafs and the five year $3.6M cap hit.  Some readers will think that Leafs tried to low-ball the negotiations but I believe Schenn was compensated fairly considering Pavel Kubina $3.85M, Dennis Wideman $3.937M, Christian Erhoff $4M to name a few.

Former Kelona Rockets teammate and Buffalo Sabre Tyler Myers negotiated a contract $5.5M cap hit recently.  The contract awarded to Myers appears high for a relatively unproven player but I could be wrong.  Myers has shown plenty of upside but in my opinion has not proven he deserves a salary in the $5.5M cap hit range.

Drew Doughty and the LA Kings are having difficulties in negotiations since it appears the Kings have offered around $6M cap hit but agent is asking around $7M.  Doughty has played spectacularly well in the Olympics and NHL so awarding him anywhere above $5M is not undeserved.