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Toronto Maple Leafs Blogger •
At the HSBC Arena last night, in a 3-2 loss to the division rival Buffalo Sabres, there were very few standout performances of players wearing the Blue and White. Goaltender Joey McDonald stood on his head early in the game, stopping 18 first period Buffalo shots. The veteran portion of the defensive corps, Tomas Kaberle, Michael Komisarek and Francois Beauchemin were not in the lineup, so 3 blueliners who are not expected to make the team, Andy Rogers, Carl Gunnarsson and Jonas Frogren got significant ice time and showed why they are expected not to make the team.
The main focus of attention was the crop of young Leaf forwards, most notably 1st round selection Nazem Kadri. After scoring the tying goal and a fantastic goal in the shootout the previous night vs. Pittsburgh, coach Ron Wilson gave the 18 year old 1st unit power play time and large amounts ice time in 5 on 5 situations. The entire team looked fatigued, at least in the first 40 minutes, but seemed to get their second wind at the beginning of the 3rd, when Kadri fed a nice pass in front of the net that John Mitchell fired past Ryan Miller. Kadri was not spectacular last night, but he did not look out of place either. He did not hesitate to throw a check on occasion and his adept passing was apparent. Coach Wilson also used a few of his younger players in positions that they might not be accustomed, like Tyler Bozak getting shifts on the wing and on the first power play unit, paired with defenseman Ian White.
It will be interesting what decisions are made by Brian Burke, Ron Wilson and the Leafs management regarding these youngsters. With Bozak, Hanson and Stalberg, they would be sent to the AHL Marlies, where can be called up at a moment’s notice if anyone on the big club falters or gets injured. With Kadri, things are more complicated. Once he is sent back to his junior club in London, he will likely remain there for the year. If the Leafs decide to keep him up with the big club, they have a 10 game window to evaluate whether he is over his head in NHL regular season action or whether he can handle it. With Luke Schenn last year, the Leafs had this option and decided to keep him the entire season. My belief is that the Leafs will give Kadri the 10 games and see where he stands.
From the desk of Mike "In Buffalo" Augello
Listen to Hockeybuzz Live today at 4:30 on Talkshoe.com at id 57507 and the latest edition of Leaf Buzz tonight at 7:30 at Talkshoe.com, id 20944, you are welcome to call in at 724-444-7444.
The main focus of attention was the crop of young Leaf forwards, most notably 1st round selection Nazem Kadri. After scoring the tying goal and a fantastic goal in the shootout the previous night vs. Pittsburgh, coach Ron Wilson gave the 18 year old 1st unit power play time and large amounts ice time in 5 on 5 situations. The entire team looked fatigued, at least in the first 40 minutes, but seemed to get their second wind at the beginning of the 3rd, when Kadri fed a nice pass in front of the net that John Mitchell fired past Ryan Miller. Kadri was not spectacular last night, but he did not look out of place either. He did not hesitate to throw a check on occasion and his adept passing was apparent. Coach Wilson also used a few of his younger players in positions that they might not be accustomed, like Tyler Bozak getting shifts on the wing and on the first power play unit, paired with defenseman Ian White.
It will be interesting what decisions are made by Brian Burke, Ron Wilson and the Leafs management regarding these youngsters. With Bozak, Hanson and Stalberg, they would be sent to the AHL Marlies, where can be called up at a moment’s notice if anyone on the big club falters or gets injured. With Kadri, things are more complicated. Once he is sent back to his junior club in London, he will likely remain there for the year. If the Leafs decide to keep him up with the big club, they have a 10 game window to evaluate whether he is over his head in NHL regular season action or whether he can handle it. With Luke Schenn last year, the Leafs had this option and decided to keep him the entire season. My belief is that the Leafs will give Kadri the 10 games and see where he stands.
From the desk of Mike "In Buffalo" Augello
Listen to Hockeybuzz Live today at 4:30 on Talkshoe.com at id 57507 and the latest edition of Leaf Buzz tonight at 7:30 at Talkshoe.com, id 20944, you are welcome to call in at 724-444-7444.
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