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Forums :: Blog World :: Ken Beckett: Sinking Their Claws In - Panthers Hand Leafs Ninth Loss in Ten Games
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PTVinnyMac
Toronto Maple Leafs
Location: Big Vin Dog... Ya Damn Straigh, ON
Joined: 04.13.2011

Feb 29 @ 12:58 PM ET
Hey everyone... Another rough game for Leafs nation to swallow (keep the minds outta the gutter, ya you Noename)

Now, it's an old famos quote, but you're never as bad as your worst game and never as good as your best, you're always somewhere in the middle. This is not a terrible team, it's a good team with upside. It's not showing right now of course, but such is life.

I've tried to pinpoint the problem and I think beyond all else, our major issue is that RW has tried with no avail to get Reimer back into #1 form. The Leafs were playing good hockey until that game in Winnipeg where they lost 2-1, thos the first goal on Gus was saveable, he played strong the rest of the game.

The next night in Philly, Reims gets the start and if you go watch the highlights there are two goals that were saveable. In my belief going back with Reims the Sat against Montreal was the collapse and cementing of this losing streak. I'm not gonna say that Wilson is the best coach for the job, but he had the team playing well, especially against Pit where they won 1-0 (IMO the Leafs best complete game of the year).

The team has shown the ability to play good defensive hockey at times throughout the year and they've been able to score goals. BB took a chance and believed Gus and Reims could do the job, whether the concussion to Reims screwed him for this year or not is all specualtive. But This is in Burke's lap and he definitely needs a better plan B to put into effect this summer and going into next season.

As far as this season goes, I'm 100% sure the only way the Leafs can get back on track is if they give it up with Reims and give the Reigns to Gus. I know, most won't agree. But Reims' season is done. He's not getting back to last year's form this year IMO.
Boosinicka
Toronto Maple Leafs
Location: Edmonton, AB
Joined: 07.25.2010

Feb 29 @ 12:59 PM ET
I know he made good moves for players like Lupul and Franson, Lombardi.

but like I said he's made is fair share of bad signings.

Kaberle was a good deal as well.

Now look at Versteeg deal everyone thought that was a great deal not the guys scoring 30 goals a season leading his team to the playoffs.

To me he got fleeced on that deal.

Burke for the most part is a good trader he usually gets the better of trades its his drafting and UFA signing thats less then desirable.

- duckyjets


I was a huge Versteeg fan but he did not mesh well at all with Wilson's system. Something I could never understand b/c he is a complete player over the whole 200ft ice surface. But he plain sucked for the Leafs. When someone degresses that much your not going to get what you paid for (see Carter).

I agree his UFA and drafting needs to be better, but I think he is surrounding himself with guys who are more suited for those things. Nonis seems good for signings in Mac being an example, and I've read that Florida guy we hired has an eye for young talent.
duckyjets
Location: Winnipeg, MB
Joined: 02.11.2007

Feb 29 @ 1:00 PM ET
over and done with

move forward not back

- Dozzer

Yeah well that's good PR

Wheres the top line center coming from?

I can Guarentee its not from trade. Its going to have to come from the draft or buy ufa.

Now if I'm Burke im worried about that. He better offer Parise 9-10 million over term because Coulborne is not close to stepping into a #1 role and either is Kadri

duckyjets
Location: Winnipeg, MB
Joined: 02.11.2007

Feb 29 @ 1:02 PM ET
I was a huge Versteeg fan but he did not mesh well at all with Wilson's system. Something I could never understand b/c he is a complete player over the whole 200ft ice surface. But he plain sucked for the Leafs. When someone degresses that much your not going to get what you paid for (see Carter).

I agree his UFA and drafting needs to be better, but I think he is surrounding himself with guys who are more suited for those things. Nonis seems good for signings in Mac being an example, and I've read that Florida guy we hired has an eye for young talent.

- Boosinicka

For Carter they got back a top 2 d-man I don't think they got fleeced to bad on that deal.
Colin Dambrauskas
Location: Office Chair - @ColinDJD
Joined: 08.04.2010

Feb 29 @ 1:07 PM ET
I know he made good moves for players like Lupul and Franson, Lombardi.

but like I said he's made is fair share of bad signings.

Kaberle was a good deal as well.

Now look at Versteeg deal everyone thought that was a great deal not the guys scoring 30 goals a season leading his team to the playoffs.

To me he got fleeced on that deal.

Burke for the most part is a good trader he usually gets the better of trades its his drafting and UFA signing thats less then desirable.

- duckyjets


Fine...Ill do it.

Hes brought in
Gardiner
Schenn
Komisarek
Franson
Brown
Phaneuf
Orr
Steckel
Grabovski
MacArthur
Kessel
Bozak
Colborne
Connolly
Lupul
Gustavsson
Ashton
Kadri
(plus several prospects)

Hes gotten rid of:
Beauchemin
Lebda
Kaberle
Aulie
Blake
Versteeg
Toskola
Steen
Stajan
White
Hagman
Moore


(did I miss anyone?)


Call me crazy....but hes done quite well. The IN list vs the OUT list is quite impressive.
twiztedmike
Toronto Maple Leafs
Joined: 10.06.2007

Feb 29 @ 1:09 PM ET
Heyyyy I figured why we didn't trade Grabo... we need him as a mentor for when we draft this man

Alex Galchenyuk
His Belarusian-born father played pro hockey for 24 years on 18 different teams and in more than a dozen leagues, so Milwaukee-born son Alex has been well travelled. Has missed the entire OHL season with a torn ACL he suffered during an OHL exhibition game in mid-September. He had scouts drooling last season with 83 points as an OHL rookie at 16.

Strengths: A big, power-forward type winger with soft hands who is good along the wall, has soft hands and can shoot the puck.

Weaknesses: He has missed his entire draft year with a knee injury, so there has been a decided lack of exposure. Teams may be concerned with how he bounces back from the injury.

NHL upside: has the size and skill to be a top two centre if he recovers fully from missing an entire season.

- Boosinicka

wtf
Boosinicka
Toronto Maple Leafs
Location: Edmonton, AB
Joined: 07.25.2010

Feb 29 @ 1:10 PM ET
Yeah I think he would have been better off not signing Connolly. Connolly has been useless.

Komisarek is un trade-able and is a healthy scratch most of the time.

Armstrong has played maybe 50 games in 3 years? You could have found that grit in the farm team for way less.

Lombardi and Franson I gave to burke but they had him as a healthy scratch for most of the beginning of the season.

- duckyjets


Er... I think you missed the point of my post. Of course if we could go back in time we would not have signed those contracts. I'm saying AT THE TIME Burke fulfilled a position of need with a player qualified to fill that roll. They have not, that is the risk every GM takes.

You've merely stated the obvious of whats present, Komisarek was a intangible piece to Montreal's success, Armstrong was never a injury prone player, and your a fool to not try to improve our 1C position after the year Bozak had. And Connolly was the only player with 1C capabilities that didn't cost the farm, only $. Not saying they aren't bad contracts, but Burke was fulfilling team needs, they were the best options, and that's what they cost.
Colin Dambrauskas
Location: Office Chair - @ColinDJD
Joined: 08.04.2010

Feb 29 @ 1:10 PM ET
Hey everyone... Another rough game for Leafs nation to swallow (keep the minds outta the gutter, ya you Noename)

Now, it's an old famos quote, but you're never as bad as your worst game and never as good as your best, you're always somewhere in the middle. This is not a terrible team, it's a good team with upside. It's not showing right now of course, but such is life.

I've tried to pinpoint the problem and I think beyond all else, our major issue is that RW has tried with no avail to get Reimer back into #1 form. The Leafs were playing good hockey until that game in Winnipeg where they lost 2-1, thos the first goal on Gus was saveable, he played strong the rest of the game.

The next night in Philly, Reims gets the start and if you go watch the highlights there are two goals that were saveable. In my belief going back with Reims the Sat against Montreal was the collapse and cementing of this losing streak. I'm not gonna say that Wilson is the best coach for the job, but he had the team playing well, especially against Pit where they won 1-0 (IMO the Leafs best complete game of the year).

The team has shown the ability to play good defensive hockey at times throughout the year and they've been able to score goals. BB took a chance and believed Gus and Reims could do the job, whether the concussion to Reims screwed him for this year or not is all specualtive. But This is in Burke's lap and he definitely needs a better plan B to put into effect this summer and going into next season.

As far as this season goes, I'm 100% sure the only way the Leafs can get back on track is if they give it up with Reims and give the Reigns to Gus. I know, most won't agree. But Reims' season is done. He's not getting back to last year's form this year IMO.

- PTVinnyMac


honestly...I dont even care which of the two play....but stick with ONE GOALIE and battle it out the rest of the year.
Dozzer
Referee
Toronto Maple Leafs
Location: Somewhere over the rainbow since I’m way up high
Joined: 09.15.2010

Feb 29 @ 1:12 PM ET
Yeah well that's good PR

Wheres the top line center coming from?

I can Guarentee its not from trade. Its going to have to come from the draft or buy ufa.

Now if I'm Burke im worried about that. He better offer Parise 9-10 million over term because Coulborne is not close to stepping into a #1 role and either is Kadri

- duckyjets


whats the hurry?

honestly? build the team properly and be patient.
Colin Dambrauskas
Location: Office Chair - @ColinDJD
Joined: 08.04.2010

Feb 29 @ 1:12 PM ET
For Carter they got back a top 2 d-man I don't think they got fleeced to bad on that deal.
- duckyjets


that deal worked for both sides. No real winner.
Colin Dambrauskas
Location: Office Chair - @ColinDJD
Joined: 08.04.2010

Feb 29 @ 1:13 PM ET
whats the hurry?

honestly? build the team properly and be patient.

- Dozzer


I think im going to change my username to: Its_COLBORNE.





Dozzer
Referee
Toronto Maple Leafs
Location: Somewhere over the rainbow since I’m way up high
Joined: 09.15.2010

Feb 29 @ 1:14 PM ET
I think im going to change my username to: Its_COLBORNE.






- noename09


why people cant spell his name properly is beyond me

Colin Dambrauskas
Location: Office Chair - @ColinDJD
Joined: 08.04.2010

Feb 29 @ 1:16 PM ET
Maybe , but do you say that your job now was always the blueprint to your future?
- jiri_crha


...huh?
billyberg10
Toronto Maple Leafs
Location: HEAVEN
Joined: 09.27.2011

Feb 29 @ 1:17 PM ET
[url]
Boosinicka
Toronto Maple Leafs
Location: Edmonton, AB
Joined: 07.25.2010

Feb 29 @ 1:17 PM ET
For Carter they got back a top 2 d-man I don't think they got fleeced to bad on that deal.
- duckyjets


It's still too early to tell, but Voracek > late 1st round pick, and Coutierier >>> JJ.
PTVinnyMac
Toronto Maple Leafs
Location: Big Vin Dog... Ya Damn Straigh, ON
Joined: 04.13.2011

Feb 29 @ 1:17 PM ET
honestly...I dont even care which of the two play....but stick with ONE GOALIE and battle it out the rest of the year.
- noename09


Don't you yell at me young man. I'll give you a good fist shakin!
Boosinicka
Toronto Maple Leafs
Location: Edmonton, AB
Joined: 07.25.2010

Feb 29 @ 1:19 PM ET
wtf
- twiztedmike


Yeah I saw that too, he's a Centerman in case you're wondering.
Domaju
Toronto Maple Leafs
Location: Timmins, ON
Joined: 06.26.2008

Feb 29 @ 1:19 PM ET
I missed the game last night, but saw it was 5-3 and we outshot them a fair bit. Was it the goaltendings fault? Or was it the forwards and D just giving up really good chances to the Panthers players?
Colin Dambrauskas
Location: Office Chair - @ColinDJD
Joined: 08.04.2010

Feb 29 @ 1:19 PM ET
Don't you yell at me young man. I'll give you a good fist shakin!
- PTVinnyMac


I would OWN you in a good fist shake....you dont want to challenge this guy....
duckyjets
Location: Winnipeg, MB
Joined: 02.11.2007

Feb 29 @ 1:21 PM ET
Fine...Ill do it.

Hes brought in
Gardiner
Schenn
Komisarek
Franson
Brown
Phaneuf
Orr
Steckel
Grabovski
MacArthur
Kessel
Bozak
Colborne
Connolly
Lupul
Gustavsson
Ashton
Kadri
(plus several prospects)

Hes gotten rid of:
Beauchemin
Lebda
Kaberle
Aulie
Blake
Versteeg
Toskola
Steen
Stajan
White
Hagman
Moore


(did I miss anyone?)


Call me crazy....but hes done quite well. The IN list vs the OUT list is quite impressive.

- noename09

He didn't bring in schenn Fletcher did.

And where has that got the team they are in near the same position as when he took JFJ left

Orr usless, Komisarekk useless, Grabovski was brought in by fletcher

Lebda was his own signing as well as versteeg, Beauchemin too

So what your saying is he got rid of his own mistakes for the most part lol
Colin Dambrauskas
Location: Office Chair - @ColinDJD
Joined: 08.04.2010

Feb 29 @ 1:21 PM ET
I missed the game last night, but saw it was 5-3 and we outshot them a fair bit. Was it the goaltendings fault? Or was it the forwards and D just giving up really good chances to the Panthers players?
- Domaju


2 first goals not really Reimers fault...team had a horrid start. Team scored to bring it to 2-1 and then 30 seconds later Reimer let in a shot that should have been saved, both defensive mistake and his. Overall?: Bad team effort.
PTVinnyMac
Toronto Maple Leafs
Location: Big Vin Dog... Ya Damn Straigh, ON
Joined: 04.13.2011

Feb 29 @ 1:22 PM ET
I would OWN you in a good fist shake....you dont want to challenge this guy....
- noename09


Really? REEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAALLLLLLY?

*Shakes Fist Vehemently*



Thought so...
Colin Dambrauskas
Location: Office Chair - @ColinDJD
Joined: 08.04.2010

Feb 29 @ 1:22 PM ET
He didn't bring in schenn Fletcher did.

And where has that got the team they are in near the same position as when he took JFJ left

- duckyjets


The team had HORRID players, few prospects and no real bright future. He had BARELY anything to work with and has refilled the cupboards and gave us some hope in the near future. Were not there yet as our teams needs to develop yet...but another year/so and a few more tweeks in the roster and maybe coach, well be there.
Boosinicka
Toronto Maple Leafs
Location: Edmonton, AB
Joined: 07.25.2010

Feb 29 @ 1:23 PM ET
Yeah well that's good PR

Wheres the top line center coming from?

I can Guarentee its not from trade. Its going to have to come from the draft or buy ufa.

Now if I'm Burke im worried about that. He better offer Parise 9-10 million over term because Coulborne is not close to stepping into a #1 role and either is Kadri

- duckyjets


Seems like I'm disagreeing with you a lot but not out to get you by any means, just shinging some light on other areas or views. Parise for 1 does not answer our problems. Would love to get him, but Lupul has that position wrapped up nicely. Colborne has potential, but you're right he's far away and most likely a 2C. So for acquiring a 1C, well Bozak is doing fine for now. I would rather be patient and draft Galchenyuk then sell the farm for one.
Domaju
Toronto Maple Leafs
Location: Timmins, ON
Joined: 06.26.2008

Feb 29 @ 1:24 PM ET
He didn't bring in schenn Fletcher did.

And where has that got the team they are in near the same position as when he took JFJ left

- duckyjets


But the team is a lot younger and can grow more as a team. When he took over from JFJ the team had a lot of older guys who weren't going to get any better. With the new team it's possible for them to get a lot better still.
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