I think we can draw some pretty solid conclusions after tonight.

- We really miss Gunnarsson in our own zone.

- The PP really misses Gardiner in the offensive zone

- Reimer & Frattin are looking like the only consistent leafs so far,

- Kessel's getting to be a little too predictable, defenders know how to contain him.



Really not thrilled with the play of Liles as well.

Wouldn't have hurt to get a bloody bounce go our way once in a while too

Two hottest players plus most talented player equals results.

At worst, Kessel gets his first goal.
- Two_For_Truth

yea whats with that i know kessel is streaky as hell but this is bad

howard is why i am around during the night only...
- habsrock71

amateur...

amateur...
- ShootingSemin

no i just dont like being banned because howard is too old fashioned.

I think it can, for sure. Kessel has so many tools. His speed, and his hands allow for many variations to his game. Both are high end. His passing game has always been wildly underrated to. He can make adjustments to play a much better game. If he's ever going to be a steady impact player in the NHL, he's going to need to adapt.

I think kadri's creativity, his ability to make plays from nothing at high speeds could enhance JVR and kessels games, both of em. Bozak does not strike you as a player two opposing players need to attack to force over the puck. Kadri has that potential, and its going to draw coverage away from one of the two. Kadri's play in the corners has the potential to create more turnovers for the duo as well.

Don't like splitting up kadri from frattin though.
- joel878

Agree that Kadri should get a long look with Kessel on his wing. I think he (among anyone else we have right now) would create enough space for Kessel to do his thing.

That seems like a fairly decent adjective for Lupul, compared to JvR. Lupul could skate through the slot and not be knocked off stride, while still taking 2 sticks with his body across the way.
- Leafland

Not sure if that was sarcasm or not....

But if I had my way, I'd make Lupul captain tomorrow.

JVR/Grabovski/Kessel
Kulemin/Kadri/Frattin
Mcclement/Bozak/Macarthur
Komarev/Steckel/Orr

Phaneuf/Gardiner
Liles/Gunnarsson
Komisarek/Blacker

How it should be switched up...

no i just dont like being banned because howard is too old fashioned.
- habsrock71

Like i said...

Agree that Kadri should get a long look with Kessel on his wing. I think he (among anyone else we have right now) would create enough space for Kessel to do his thing.
- Pen15

Kadri has had good success with both JVR and frattin so far to. I've decided I'm a big supporter of that line. If not frattin, than obviously kessel. Maybe getting kessel with grabovski and kulemin/komarov might do something for him. I'm gonna say no.. But who knows. The man is an enigma.

Two hottest players plus most talented player equals results.

At worst, Kessel gets his first goal.
- Two_For_Truth

i just dont like taking the space away from frattin by giving him more rigid duties

kessel needs to be the type of player who can break himself out of a slump.

yea whats with that i know kessel is streaky as hell but this is bad
- habsrock71

One trick pony. Not only is he one dimensional enough as it is but even offensively, he only does one thing over and over again. Easy to read, easy to stop.

Like i said...
- ShootingSemin

i cant help it if he doesnt let you talk about things he doesnt feel comfortable with

Not sure if that was sarcasm or not....

But if I had my way, I'd make Lupul captain tomorrow.
- Pen15

I can see that, but Phaneuf needs to be moved first. Teams are crying for defencemen right now. Time to float him out there and see if a team like the Flyers or Edmonton are interested.

Maybe a trade that brings us another 1st rounder is in order.

JVR/Grabovski/Kessel
Kulemin/Kadri/Frattin
Mcclement/Bozak/Macarthur
Komarev/Steckel/Orr

Phaneuf/Gardiner
Liles/Gunnarsson
Komisarek/Blacker

How it should be switched up...
- ThePresident

Not a fan. Don't like kulemin with kadri.. Hate steckel. Gardiner is probably the only guy you can put with phaneuf that will make him even more of a liability.. Blacker is nowhere near NHL ready, if he ever will be.

One trick pony. Not only is he one dimensional enough as it is but even offensively, he only does one thing over and over again. Easy to read, easy to stop.
- Two_For_Truth

the toe drag then wrist shot one thing?

I think he's placed on the half boards on the pp because he's being asked to create...but I agree he can try a little more of that on the PP.

In terms of 5 on 5 though, I don't think he's had much of an opportunity to cut and get into the middle of the ice. Other team's D have been zoning in primarily on him, and keeping him to the boards.
- Pen15

still.. he doesnt get to use that as an excuse.. if kessel wants to be that elite guy.. he needs to find a way to score in those situations.. its never going to change.

i dont know. (frank) it.. trade him lol

Not sure if that was sarcasm or not....

But if I had my way, I'd make Lupul captain tomorrow.
- Pen15

Nope, not sarcasm, and I agree.

I think Lupul could easily be captain of this young Leafs team, I wouldn't doubt it for a minute that Lupul owns the dressing room over Dion. This is completely opinion based on interviews though.

i just dont like taking the space away from frattin by giving him more rigid duties

kessel needs to be the type of player who can break himself out of a slump.
- Dozzer

Okay, let's not go overboard here. There is absolutely nothing that Komarov is doing that Frattin can't do. Komarov gives the puck to Kadri immediately, hits somebody and skates in front of the net. That's not rigid. That's basic hockey.

Kessel is obviously a player who can't break himself out of a slump. It's actually becoming more and more apparent with every game.

I can see that, but Phaneuf needs to be moved first. Teams are crying for defencemen right now. Time to float him out there and see if a team like the Flyers or Edmonton are interested.

Maybe a trade that brings us another 1st rounder is in order.
- PrinceLH

i dont think you get a first rounder for a guy whos playing like a number 5 dman

the toe drag then wrist shot one thing?
- habsrock71

Exactly. But he does it from 30 feet out instead of 10 feet.

i cant help it if he doesnt let you talk about things he doesnt feel comfortable with
- habsrock71

I pretty much say as i feel, subtlety has never exactly been my strong point, or at least that is what Adam French tells me...

i cant help it if he doesnt let you talk about things he doesnt feel comfortable with
- habsrock71

i have my limits as well.

but i'll generally warn when you are crossing the line

i dont envy modding engels thread one bit

Nope, not sarcasm, and I agree.

I think Lupul could easily be captain of this young Leafs team, I wouldn't doubt it for a minute that Lupul owns the dressing room over Dion. This is completely opinion based on interviews though.
- Leafland

Trade them both.

I can see that, but Phaneuf needs to be moved first. Teams are crying for defencemen right now. Time to float him out there and see if a team like the Flyers or Edmonton are interested.

Maybe a trade that brings us another 1st rounder is in order.
- PrinceLH

LA is hurting for defence.

Bernier, toffoli, 1st.



Nonis needs to set the tone with a good Burke style fleecing.

Exactly. But he does it from 30 feet out instead of 10 feet.
- Two_For_Truth

yea hes a perimeter player, always has been.