Still weak up the middle too. With the Leafs changing their game plan away from "collapsing" and towards "covering the points", a lot more passes are going to be going through the middle. Without hard back checking centers, it's going to be a shooting gallery up the middle. I suspect Carlyle knew this which is why he went with the "collapse" game plan originally but is now left with no other options.

Bernier needs to play 65 games and be Patrick Roy otherwise, miracles will need to occur.
- JohnFergusonJr

we heard this story a couple seasons ago. The leafs arent gonna be as bad as you think. Probably still challenging for the last couple spots, but you are right about us needing bernier

Bozak, Kadri, Santorelli and either Holland or Wallin 2.0. C'mon man, besides Ottawa and Florida, that's the weakest set of centers in the division. And that's if they all manage to stay healthy all season too.
- JohnFergusonJr

I don't see anything wrong with Bozak and Kadri.

Bozak, Kadri, Santorelli and either Holland or Wallin 2.0. C'mon man, besides Ottawa and Florida, that's the weakest set of centers in the division. And that's if they all manage to stay healthy all season too.
- JohnFergusonJr

Montreal aint exactly stacked up the middle either.

Desharnais
Plekanec
Eller
Malhotra

Personally I'd take our group over that lot.

Jamie McBain has skated a fairly regular shift in the NHL the last several years and is still only 26 years old. Nevertheless, he has been released outright. It's nice the Coyotes gave him a shot, but you have to figure there are easier teams to make as a defenseman. No doubt some team will suffer a host of injury calamities and he'll get another shot - it's not like 30 point defenseman can't be useful.
- Fruitcakenipple

There also is probably no easier team to make than the Buffalo sabres, but he got cut from them.

I think the leafs look for a vet if they dont wanna roll with percy or granberg

we heard this story a couple seasons ago. The leafs arent gonna be as bad as you think. Probably still challenging for the last couple spots, but you are right about us needing bernier
- GardinerExpress

We've heard this every season since Sundin left and they're 1 for 6.

I don't see anything wrong with Bozak and Kadri.
- sloppyseconds2

Yikes.

There also is probably no easier team to make than the Buffalo sabres, but he got cut from them.

I think the leafs look for a vet if they dont wanna roll with percy or granberg
- GardinerExpress

do what every good team does. throw in a prospect

Montreal aint exactly stacked up the middle either.

Desharnais
Plekanec
Eller
Malhotra

Personally I'd take our group over that lot.
- GardinerExpress

You forgot Galchenyuk who probably has more natural talent than any Leafs center. It's a toss up with Montreal but it's still closer to being weak than it is strong.

Yikes.
- JohnFergusonJr

Really?

Really?
- sloppyseconds2

Look at all the teams that made the playoffs last year and name me one team that made it without a legit 1st line center. There's two exceptions to the 16 teams as far as I can see and it was Montreal and New York. Which leads me back to my original comment which is Bernier needs to be spectacular (like Price or Lundqvist was) to pull it off. And that doesn't even begin to start the conversation on their ability to compete in the playoffs beyond the 1st round which would also require godly goaltending. The more I think about it, the more this entire season rests on Bernier's shoulders. And I like him but it's a lot to ask of the guy.

Good year to have injuries and let Gards play on the top pair :

1st time seeing the Leafs at the ACC tonight.

Actual paste from my bank stuffs... Sep 29, 2014 PR ACC CONCESSIONS $15.75

Well... at least they let you go have a smoke unlike that other pathetic Toronto team with the fancy roof.

Good year to have injuries and let Gards play on the top pair :
- Garnie

If you want the first overall pick. Gards can't play defense. Let alone against the best the other team has to offer. He's a rover

If you want the first overall pick. Gards can't play defense. Let alone against the best the other team has to offer. He's a rover
- LeafsBlueline

Pretty sure that was the point.

Everyone has injuries everyone has setbacks, its the ones who can dig deep and get through those times unscathed and rely on their depth to win games who go the furthest.

sh@t. http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2hXSAtz6haM
- kylkri

When did Garnie and Tee-Dot start hanging out together ???

You forgot Galchenyuk who probably has more natural talent than any Leafs center. It's a toss up with Montreal but it's still closer to being weak than it is strong.
- JohnFergusonJr

If you are talking about #1 centers, Galchenyuk is no where near that yet.

Definitely wouldn't mind seeing the Leafs sign McBain now... Though this is also a good opportunity to see what one of the youngsters can do

Possibly. If Franson is on the IR for a while the Leafs could inquire about Boychuk from the Bruins. One year left and they need to shed salary.
- BetterCallSaul

Was at the game last night. Been awhile since I had seen a few of these guys live and I had never seen Nylander before.

A few things stood out to me.

Nylander. - there is good reason to be excited. Elite skating especially considering his age. Very good play maker but he doesn't play in the NHL next year. You could give a lot of reasons but it all boils down to one thing. He isn't strong enough. I say play in Sweden this year with the lighter schedule and spend the extra time putting on 15-20 lbs of muscle.

Franson - I forget how big this dude is. He's huge. Really should be pasting more guys.

Rielly - Seems much stronger. More of a man. My bet is huge year no sophomore jinx for him. Just flying out there too.

Booth - isn't the solution to anything. Barely noticed him out there before he got hurt.

You'd think that this franson injury would open up for Percy, but they are different hands. Grangerg and holzer are both righties, but percy has been better than them.

Orr fought last night and looked brutal doing it. Enough of him already.

Orr fought last night and looked brutal doing it. Enough of him already.
- burn

If he doesn't stop (or isn't stopped), he'll end his career the way Parros did.

Holland had another strong game playing 3rd line with stiffs.

Frattin is playing his way off this team.

If he doesn't stop (or isn't stopped), he'll end his career the way Parros did.
- Pecafan Fan

I think Parros is the reason Orr has lost his edge.