He's 27 years old, of course he's going to play better against younger guys in the AHL.
Let me guess, Keith Aucoin is a stud offensive player finally ready to shine just for the Maple Leafs and no one else years before.
- ThePresident

Lets not go to extremes, what I'm saying is that sometimes, guys slip through the cracks and just need an opportunity. Kostka actually almost had that in Tampa Bay. As for his numbers in the AHL, no I'm not thinking they'll translate to the NHL. But this season, the AHLwasn't just younger guys, how many NHL players were in the AHL this season?

Also, by your logic, Brian Rafalski should never have made the NHL at 26/27 years of age and that NJ was foolish to put any stock in his Finnish league numbers, that he should've been written off.

Moreover, where was Aucoin last year? In Washington, in the playoffs. Aucoin never got a serious shot because of his size, prior to the last lockout and after. Do I think Aucoin is an NHL player no, not now. But do you really think say David Desharnais would've made it if not for the injuries in Montreal? He got a chance because he's earned it. And I think Kostka has earned his shot, one that he was promised in Tampa Bay last year.

Yeah yeah. I saw your 2nd post right after i posted mine. If we were ever to see a trade between Dallas and Toronto for Benn, it's almost guaranteed that Gardiner is going the other way. Gardiner + + + + . We finished 10th in scoring last year. Offence is the least of our worries right now.
- Timeforsoup

Well than Benn for Gardiner & Colborne, nothing more from the Leafs. Leafs won't need Colborne iif they get Benn.

Might have to throw in Matt The Tree Frattin
- senstroll

REDWOOD!

And if you’ve watched any AHL hockey, you can still see who has NHL skills, and is playing in a league below his level, despite the lower overall skill level. Frattin is clearly an NHL level player, with NHL shot, NHL skating, NHL physicality, etc.

Besides, last year, as a 24 year old, when he put up 8 goals in 56 games as a rookie with 13 minutes a game and next to no PP time, he was playing against NHLers.
- prock

He may have NHL skill...but right now its not top 6 skill.

Lets not go to extremes, what I'm saying is that sometimes, guys slip through the cracks and just need an opportunity. Kostka actually almost had that in Tampa Bay. As for his numbers in the AHL, no I'm not thinking they'll translate to the NHL. But this season, the AHLwasn't just younger guys, how many NHL players were in the AHL this season?

Also, by your logic, Brian Rafalski should never have made the NHL at 26/27 years of age and that NJ was foolish to put any stock in his Finnish league numbers, that he should've been written off.

Moreover, where was Aucoin last year? In Washington, in the playoffs. Aucoin never got a serious shot because of his size, prior to the last lockout and after. Do I think Aucoin is an NHL player no, not now. But do you really think say David Desharnais would've made it if not for the injuries in Montreal? He got a chance because he's earned it. And I think Kostka has earned his shot, one that he was promised in Tampa Bay last year.
- mykokes

Well than Benn for Gardiner & Colborne, nothing more from the Leafs. Leafs won't need Colborne iif they get Benn.
- GCHonda

probably need to add a first for Benn or maybe Lombardi

Yes we miss Stajan. I use to love his predicatble streaks. Goes on a hot scoring for 10 games, than dissapears for the next 10, gets hot for the next 10, than goes awol for the following 10. All his season were basically this pattern.
- GCHonda

I never said he was good!

You lose.
- ThePresident

Because me saying John Mitchell is an absolutely awful player is me saying Stralman is Lidstrom? Ya I lose.

REDWOOD!
- Leafland

Matt the Redwood Tree Frattin

He may have NHL skill...but right now its not top 6 skill.
- Fakepartofme

I've yet to see anyone put him in the top 6.

3rd line RW is where we plant his roots and watch him grow.

As for Frattin, I'd like to see a little more finish to his plays and him use that big shot coming down the wing more often, sadly he reminds me more of Chad Kilger than a bonafide scorer. Has the tools, but doubt he'll put it all together at the NHL level. He might and if he does he'll work on the 2nd line, but I haven't even seen him get on a streak at the NHL level. Lot of guys this sseason are either going to have put up the numbers are be moved. He's not untouchable in any deal.

Yeah yeah. I saw your 2nd post right after i posted mine. If we were ever to see a trade between Dallas and Toronto for Benn, it's almost guaranteed that Gardiner is going the other way. Gardiner + + + + . We finished 10th in scoring last year. Offence is the least of our worries right now.
- Timeforsoup

If the key piece of a trade for Benn was Gardiner, I'd do it in a heartbeat.

We need a centre. We've got guys who can take Gardiner's place.

Gardiner + Bozak + whatever else from the pile (except maybe Kadri) + 2nd rounder?

Done in a heartbeat.

Yeah Dallas fans would burn Neiwendyk in efigy if he made that deal.
- GCHonda

Im pretty sure Nieuwendyk could kick the sh1t out of 2 fat rednecks wearing crocs.

Because me saying John Mitchell is an absolutely awful player is me saying Stralman is Lidstrom? Ya I lose.
- markmark

You lose because you have no idea what I'm talking about, almost as if you're not old enough to remember the players I mentioned, and how they were once overhyped just like Frattin.

I've yet to see anyone put him in the top 6.

3rd line RW is where we plant his roots and watch him grow.
- Leafland

I put him in the top-6. Because my second line was more defense-oriented than the 3rd line.

As for Frattin, I'd like to see a little more finish to his plays and him use that big shot coming down the wing more often, sadly he reminds me more of Chad Kilger than a bonafide scorer. Has the tools, but doubt he'll put it all together at the NHL level. He might and if he does he'll work on the 2nd line, but I haven't even seen him get on a streak at the NHL level. Lot of guys this sseason are either going to have put up the numbers are be moved. He's not untouchable in any deal.
- mykokes

You lose because you have no idea what I'm talking about, almost as if you're not old enough to remember the players I mentioned, and how they were once overhyped just like Frattin.
- ThePresident

Outside of Gardiner and Reilly there isn't really a leafs prospect today that has all of us in love with them, or overhyped. Whether its frattin, kadri, colborne or whoever else, we're all somewhat divided in our opinions of them.

I put him in the top-6. Because my second line was more defense-oriented than the 3rd line.
- Feeling Glucky?

That's different.

Outside of Gardiner and Reilly there isn't really a leafs prospect today that has all of us in love with them, or overhyped. Whether its frattin, kadri, colborne or whoever else, we're all somewhat divided in our opinions of them.
- mykokes

do the leafs have any really good forward prospects? like guys who can play in the top 6. I know they think Kadri can do this but, it seems he hasnt developed as planned. Just seems like they have a lot of good defensive prospects but, not much when it comes to forwards...

You lose because you have no idea what I'm talking about, almost as if you're not old enough to remember the players I mentioned, and how they were once over-hyped just like Frattin.
- ThePresident

I get what you are saying I just whole-heartedly disagree with you. Once you said Frattin=Mitchell and that we need to get Luongo at the expense of youth, I just stopped trying because well.... that's self explanatory.

Saying that Frattin is damn good third-liner who does a lot of things well to you became the epitome of blasphemous over-hyping.

In your mind what I said was Frattin being an excellent 3rd liner = Stralman being as good as Lidstrom.

Good work.

do the leafs have any really good forward prospects? like guys who can play in the top 6. I know they think Kadri can do this but, it seems he hasnt developed as planned. Just seems like they have a lot of good defensive prospects but, not much when it comes to forwards...
- wingz4life

Spencer Abbott comes to mind.

You lose because you have no idea what I'm talking about, almost as if you're not old enough to remember the players I mentioned, and how they were once overhyped just like Frattin.
- ThePresident

Explain to me how Frattin is overhyped?

What player do you think we currently have on the Leafs, or in the system that he brings to the table?

EDIT: I'd also like to address your previous comparsion to John Mitchell (as I didn't have time to look up the stats earlier)...

Mitchell's best AHL season - 20 goals over 79 games
Frattin's best AHL season - 14 goals over 23 games

Not even comparable my friend.

Our friends in Esplen's blog need cheering up. Booth out 4-6 weeks and they are bouncing around the idea of picking up Scott Gomez.



You're welcome

I get what you are saying I just whole-heartedly disagree with you. Once you said Frattin=Mitchell and that we need to get Luongo at the expense of youth, I just stopped trying because well.... that's self explanatory.

Saying that Frattin is damn good third-liner who does a lot of things well to you became the epitome of blasphemous over-hyping.

In your mind what I said was Frattin being an excellent 3rd liner = Stralman being as good as Lidstrom.

Good work.
- markmark

1. The comparison to John Mitchell is way off...

2. Frattin is a damn good 3rd liner with top 6 potential...

3. Frattin is not overhyped like previous Leafs were...becoming a 20 goal scorer based on his production given ice time last year (in his rookie season) is not a far fetched projection...

do the leafs have any really good forward prospects? like guys who can play in the top 6. I know they think Kadri can do this but, it seems he hasnt developed as planned. Just seems like they have a lot of good defensive prospects but, not much when it comes to forwards...
- wingz4life

I think this is what needs to be figured out once and for all, especially with guys like Kadri, no more yo yo's, the kid has done his AHL time, lets see what he can do with other "creative" players.

As for Colborne, I have no idea what to think about him anymore, I wrote him off after the way he finished, then was told he had a wrist injury. Frattin's got a wicked shot, but game after game I'd see him get a break away or within ten feet of the opposing net and swear I was re-watching clips of Todd Warriner and Chad Kilger. Not insulting the kid because I think Kilger was a decent plug.

There are a few forward prospects I like, but none of them are sure things. Guys like Mckegg, d'amigo, or guys just drafted like Josh Leivo....guys like Tony Cameranesi....all are more suspects than big prospects, but I am encouraged with them. Biggs I don't know enough about, but B-Huds seemed to like him, so I'll wait and see what he has at the pro-level, and Carter Ashton, not going to write him off, but he's got a lot of work to do on his game.

But no, I don't think we have a solid sure thing forward prospect that we can point to and say, he's the one. That's why 2013 is so important, and if we end up selecting a d, thats fine too, but to answer your question, no. I will disagree with you on Kadri on one thing, I think he's developed the way a prospect of his ilk should, but now the yo yo stops, or should stop. And if it doesn't, I can only assume he's the problem and not the decision makers.