LOS ANGELES (Aug. 9) -- Though the Maple Leafs are the not-so proud owner of the second-longest Stanley Cup famine (to Chicago), the club has been far from the worst franchise in the NHL during most years since 1967. There were times in the late-'70s and early-'80s when the organization was a laughingstock for the way it conducted business, but even then, the Maple Leafs were often competitive. The flip-side to this, of course, is that the Blue & White has hardly ever been among the BEST teams in the league over the past 40 years. Since its last Cup triumph, the franchise has essentially wobbled between ordinary and mediocre, with several gusts to above average, and many gusts well below. This wayward journey has obviously been reflected in the caliber of skaters the Leafs have deployed.
No Toronto player, for example, has been named to the NHL's first all-star team in 30 years. Hall of famer Borje Salming was the last to be so honored, as a first-team selection in 1976-77. Only six players -- Salming, Jacques Plante, Dave Keon, Darryl Sittler, Mats Sundin and Bryan McCabe -- have made the league's second all-star team since 1970. Toronto players are similarly absent among the major trophy winners. Ted Kennedy was the last Maple Leaf to win the Hart Trophy as MVP -- way back in 1955. Gord Drillon, in 1938, was the last Leaf to win the Art Ross Trophy as NHL scoring champion. No Toronto player has ever won the Norris Trophy as best defenceman. In fact, during a 26-year span between 1967 (when Dave Keon won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP) and 1993 (when Doug Gilmour earned the Selke as best defensive forward), the Maple Leafs did not have a single recipient among post-season honourees.
How does this historic lack of front-line personnel rank in terms of the Leafs' current roster? Fairly close, I'd say. Sundin, McCabe, Tomas Kaberle and (perhaps) Jason Blake are the lone skaters that any reasonable observer might categorize in the upper echelon, and even that's a stretch. Sundin is coming off the worst goal-scoring famine of his career, but can still be a physical force when healthy. Blake, a complete unknown in Blue & White, will again have to pot between 35 and 40 goals to retain his one-year standing as a front-liner. McCabe and Kaberle -- despite their obvious defensive shortcomings -- provide the Leafs with a top-of-the-line blueline pair, ranking with just about any tandem in the league.
So, excluding Sundin, the subject of my previous mid-summer column, and goaltending (subject of my first), here are my thoughts on the other Leaf skaters.
TOMAS KABERLE: The Czech-born defenceman might be the best Leafs' draft choice ever, given where he was selected (8th round, 204th overall in 1996). Obviously, scouts back then didn't think a whole lot of Kaberle, but he's developed into a solid offensive-minded rearguard with a deft passing touch, and an ability to slow down the play when he has the puck. Holding Tomas back from being a franchise-type player is his physical weakness down low; he is easily knocked astray in the defensive zone and that vulnerability has not served him well in the playoffs, where the tempo increases. If the Leafs can get back to the post-season, and if Kaberle can raise his game accordingly for the first time, he'll be in the franchise category. But, not before then.
BRYAN McCABE: Even through his so-called "terrible" season last year, the defenceman still garnered 57 points and was a plus-3. But, it's almost certain that Bryan will never live up to the gargantuan contract he signed in the summer of 2006. He is not a particularly good decision maker in his own zone... never has been. But, that's not why the Maple Leafs gave him all that money. McCabe has a deadly slapshot from the point and an underrated ability to fire it on a one-time basis (without first teeing up the puck). He performs in wonderful unison with Kaberle and Leaf fans that berate McCabe would sorely miss him if he were no longer part of the club.
DARCY TUCKER: Might have been on his way to a 35-goal season had a fractured foot not sidelined him for more than a month after Boxing Day. Until then, he had been just about the most prolific forward in the NHL on the powerplay -- in his "office" to the left of the net. Darcy brings a lot to the table; he plays six inches taller than his slight frame and is justifiably the most popular player on the Maple Leafs right now. But, his defensive liabilities and his remarkable difficulty last season in even-strength situations keeps him from attaining true front-line status. I would, however, go to war with this guy any night of the week, in any circumstance.
JASON BLAKE: Coming off a career-best 40 goals with the Islanders, Blake is in a similar spot to new Leafs' goalie Vesa Toskala. For the first time, he must prove himself under the hockey microscope. That didn't exist for Blake in Los Angeles and Uniondale, N.Y. He seems to have the temperament to pull it off, but he'll have to prove himself in Blue and White. For all the guffaws about Alexei Yashin, the Russian centerman "made" Blake last season, setting up something like 31 of his 40 markers. Will Jason be a good fit with Sundin, who likes to shoot the puck as much as pass it these days? Remains to be seen. Also, there exists the possibility that a 34-year-old can lose that split second of timing off his hands -- the difference between a 35-goal year and a 20-goal effort. But, Blake was a good, responsible acquisition by GM John Ferguson. If he stays healthy, he'll give Leaf fans some thrills this season.
ALEXEI PONIKAROVSKY: As long as coach Paul Maurice keeps this guy away from shootout situations, he'll remain a solid, unspectacular forward, capable of netting 25 goals in a healthy season. But, I feel Pony's confidence was affected by his failure in the shootout last year; he looked like a frightened rabbit in the game-deciding competitions. Uses his size well, and is an effective second-to-third-line winger. A delightful person, as well.
KYLE WELLWOOD: Seems to be the "Great White Hope" in Leafs Nation, and, perhaps, justifiably. Was on his way to a 70-point campaign before losing almost half of last season to a sports hernia, and follow-up surgery. Has all kinds of creativity, and probably the most raw talent of any player on the Leafs right now. But, I'm still not convinced he can make it through 82 games and a long playoff run at his size. He's a risk-taker with the puck and that puts him in vulnerable situations. And, there is NO physical element to his game (zero PIM's last season). We'll have to wait and see just how far his body will take him.
MATT STAJAN: Still young and just talented enough that there might be a hidden level that has not yet emerged. But, with Matt, I think what you see is what you get. He's a durable guy that can play full seasons, and he proved in the stretch run of 2005-06 that he has a touch around the net. But, he simply does not compete hard enough on the puck for a player his size. And that has unquestionably held him back (10 goals in 82 games last season). Clearly, he's expendable if the Leafs are looking to shed payroll.
ALEX STEEN: See above. Became almost a clone of Stajan last season, after a very good rookie campaign during which Pat Quinn used him in all situations. Evidently, Paul Maurice had a different opinion of the young Swede, and with reason. Inexplicably, Steen wanted nothing to do with any circumstance that might take a toll on his body, and he was nowhere near the opposition net until almost Christmas. He was a bit more involved in the second half of the schedule, but generally did not compete around the puck. Looks like he could be a typical high Leafs' draft choice: just average.
NIK ANTROPOV: On the flip-side of Steen, the much-maligned "Big Nik" seemed to flourish under Maurice, who talked him up from the moment he was named coach and showed great confidence in him during his first season behind the Leafs' bench. Antropov responded with 18 goals in 54 games -- above his career average -- and was the least of the club's issues. But, the promise that surrounded this guy when he was drafted nine years ago has all but dissipated through injury and indifference. No one expects much of Nik anymore; least of all a season devoid of some calamity, and he is typical of the third and fourth-liners that comprise the bulk of the Leafs' forward ranks.
BATES BATTAGLIA: Once again, see above. Another journeyman who is dependable in most situations but won't often do anything noticable. Not sure why JFJ retained him after 12 goals in 82 games.
JOHN POHL: I love his attitude, his professional approach, and his willingness to compete. Talent is his only shortcoming. In the category of Antropov, Battaglia and Stajan among average players the Leafs are depending on to a greater degree than should any team with realistic Cup designs.
CHAD KILGER: Another plodding offensive talent, but probably the most valuable of the Leafs' role players. Chad has developed into a useful every-day skater because he's willing to do what Stajan, Steen and others are not: use his body. A big, strapping guy who has accepted that he'll never be what the scouts thought he'd be... a high-scoring, power-forward. He forechecks as well as any skater on the Leafs, kills penalties effectively, and earns every goal and point he puts up. I like him... lots.
IAN WHITE: A smallish, non-physical defenceman with an upside in the offensive zone and a very tradeable contract ($850,000/year). He's the blueliner I would peddle to save a bit of cap space, because he's marketable and would likely allow Ferguson to retrieve one of the first-round draft picks he gave up in the Toskala deal. White is expendable, in my view, because the Maple Leafs have four other defencemen (McCabe, Kaberle, Kubina, Colaiacovo) that can handle the puck. His size and lack of physical acumen will ultimately hold him back from top-of-the-line ranking in the NHL.
PAVEL KUBINA: Like McCabe, forget about judging this fellow based on his $5-million stipend, or you'll never appreciate what he brings to the table. Which really isn't a whole lot, but enough to make him the Leafs' third-best defenceman. After a rocky start in a Toronto jersey (silly injuries; having to fly home to the Czech Republic for the birth of his first child, etc.), Kubina regained some confidence in the latter part of the schedule; he started shooting the puck more and he brought his game to a different level. Still, Ferguson would unload his contract in a heartbeat if the chance arose.
HAL GILL: One of the few Toronto players to overachieve last season, based on expectation. He often seems like he's skating on wood, but big Hal is a smart defenceman and has learned to cope in the quicker NHL. Dependable as a penalty killer, Gill only occasionally makes intimidating use of his massive frame, but he's a keeper and a player the club can rely on in most situations.
BOYD DEVEREAUX: For what was expected of this once highly-regarded player, he brought more than enough ooomph to the Leafs in a limited role last season. Whereas Travis Green couldn't score as much as a point after being re-acquired, Devereaux clicked for a respectable eight goals in 33 games and helped fill some of the penalty-killing void after Mike Peca's season-ending leg injury. Like most forwards on the team, he won't make the Leafs any better by himself, but I think he's a valuable role player.
CARLO COLAIACOVO: This otherwise cursed NHLer finally got in a stretch of healthy action and did not look out of place. Though he makes more than Ian White, I would retain him because he can also handle the puck, and -- unlike White -- is not at all shy about throwing his body around. In fact, Carlo is probably the Leafs' most technically-sound open-ice hitter. A word of caution, however: Those maintaining that he'll develop into a front-line defenceman will continue to be disappointed.
WADE BELAK: The Leafs' resident goon, big Wade proved his worth when he spanked Cam Janssen of the Devils after the Kaberle incident late last season. Has severe limitations in all areas of the ice, but he can play forward and defence in a pinch, and is a wonderful person to have around the dressing room.
MARK BELL: I truly don't know what to say about the forward acquired from San Jose in the Toskala deal. He has some off-ice issues to clear up, but that doesn't make him a lesser person than any of us. The question is: What can he bring to the Leafs on the ice? Did San Jose scratch him so often last season because of his problems away from the rink, or because he couldn't help a strong team while in uniform? Clearly a wild-card with the Leafs.
SYNOPSIS: This looks like a typical Leafs team, with a small group of elite-type players, but not nearly enough quality to withstand lengthy bouts of injury once again. Obviously, the club would benefit from the emergence of one or two of its prospects -- players like Jeremy Williams, Simon Gamache, Jiri Tlusty, Phil Oreskovic, Anton Stralman, Nik Kulemin and Staffan Kronwall. Given the Leafs' history of developing players, however, this is something fans of the team should hope for rather than expect.
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