But.. but.. we have Carlyle!!!! The only reason why we were a lottery team was because of Wilson.

Not the goaltending, lack of size and top center......
- jbold

No no of course not...everything was Wilsons fault.....I thought you knew that.

Switch Kulemin and Mac around and that Defensive Core isn't very defensive or speedy except for Gardiner, Liles and Gunner. Not Sure if Kadri will start either has he snapped out of his funk?
- Leafsfan9329

3rd line has a more defensive role, kulemin is suited for a third line winger, not Mac.

We have like no one else for D unless you want to see komi playing, which id rather much have kostka or holzer playing that last slot. Kadri would start because having 25 pts in 25 games at an AHL level where he continues to improve should finally have a spot on the leafs, and that is as a second line winger.

To all those saying bozak is a number one centerman or is best suited as a centerman on first line, id rather see kadri or JVR attempt to be "that" centerman for the time being until burke gets a real centerman. Bozak is pretty good defensively and would suit the third line which looks really good for him between frattin and kulemin.

3rd line has a more defensive role, kulemin is suited for a third line winger, not Mac.

We have like no one else for D unless you want to see komi playing, which id rather much have kostka or holzer playing that last slot. Kadri would start because having 25 pts in 25 games at an AHL level where he continues to improve should finally have a spot on the leafs, and that is as a second line winger.

To all those saying bozak is a number one centerman or is best suited as a centerman on first line, id rather see kadri or JVR attempt to be "that" centerman for the time being until burke gets a real centerman. Bozak is pretty good defensively and would suit the third line which looks really good for him between frattin and kulemin.
- Mapleleafs_91

I don't mind the look of your projected lineup. The only big variable that I see is JVR at centre. If that fails then what? Do you swap Kadri for JVR straight up ?

I would say maybe move Bozak to the top, give JVR Kadri's 2nd line spot and then play Kadri as the 3rd line centre.

Edit: now that I think about Kadri as a 3rd line centre I dont like it

Saw a few topics discussed on here, and thought I'd add my two cents:

On Ron Wilson: He was terrible and his time here was a disaster. We can debate how much of the blame he gets, but let's all acknowledge that he was a mess, too. His system looked like crap.

On Schenn: I wanted to like him so much (and still do), but when a defensive specialist coach shows up and says he can't use him, you know there's a problem. He looked as flat-footed as Aki Berg at times.

On the WJC: What a train wreck. I heard, however, that Morgan Rielly was the only Canadian D man to have a positive +/-. It was a shame that he was blocked behind Murphy, who inexplicably got so much PP1 time all tourney.

Saw a few topics discussed on here, and thought I'd add my two cents:

On Ron Wilson: He was terrible and his time here was a disaster. We can debate how much of the blame he gets, but let's all acknowledge that he was a mess, too. His system looked like crap.

On Schenn: I wanted to like him so much (and still do), but when a defensive specialist coach shows up and says he can't use him, you know there's a problem. He looked as flat-footed as Aki Berg at times.

On the WJC: What a train wreck. I heard, however, that Morgan Rielly was the only Canadian D man to have a positive +/-. It was a shame that he was blocked behind Murphy, who inexplicably got so much PP1 time all tourney.
- Leeman4Gilmour

Murphy was bad. However, the team was collectively bad. Even RNH was not great in the semi against the US. From the coaching down this team was far too overconfident, too disorganized, badly coached and as always, the goaltending let us down.

Leafs make the playoffs this year, calling it now

Watching the Marlies game and I just heard Greg Millen

I almost don't want the season to come back so I don't have to listen to that hack anymore. Honestly he is one of the most pitiful excuses for a colour commentator on the earth. So much hate, I really hate that guy.

I'd take Ranger or Fraser as the Leafs 7th Dman.

?

Aulie wasn't any sort of loss. Big but other than one good fight I don't think the Leafs lost much. The have the D prospects to spare, and when Rielly and even Finn were drafted he became kind of irrelevant.
- sanfordnson

not entirely accurate... Aulie was a the relatively rare combination of decent footspeed and size... and he played his best NHL hockey when out of necessity (due to injuries) he got ample playing time mostly with Phaneuf.

Then the other worldly coach of the millenium Ron Wilson decided he needed Komisarek's locker room leadership and Burke dealt for Lilies. Gardner's emergence eliminated the spot that Aulie had filled after (thank God) Kaberle was shown the door. Nothing wrong with Aulie - and with Schenn now gone, he would have been the right fit to stick around. Yes there are D prospects - but guys like Gardiner, Liles and soon to arrive Reily are all the smaller "type" of d-men. Leaving that to Phaneuf takes him out of his most effective role in my opinion.

3rd line has a more defensive role, kulemin is suited for a third line winger, not Mac.

We have like no one else for D unless you want to see komi playing, which id rather much have kostka or holzer playing that last slot. Kadri would start because having 25 pts in 25 games at an AHL level where he continues to improve should finally have a spot on the leafs, and that is as a second line winger.

To all those saying bozak is a number one centerman or is best suited as a centerman on first line, id rather see kadri or JVR attempt to be "that" centerman for the time being until burke gets a real centerman. Bozak is pretty good defensively and would suit the third line which looks really good for him between frattin and kulemin.
- Mapleleafs_91

I get what you are saying... I'm fine with any of the three names you mentioned... however, there doesn't need to be another "experiment" with Tim "the Tin Man" no effort Connolly. He can't be part of the future (thank god) and therefore he shouldn't be part of any strike shortened season either.

Saw a few topics discussed on here, and thought I'd add my two cents:

On Ron Wilson: He was terrible and his time here was a disaster. We can debate how much of the blame he gets, but let's all acknowledge that he was a mess, too. His system looked like crap.

On Schenn: I wanted to like him so much (and still do), but when a defensive specialist coach shows up and says he can't use him, you know there's a problem. He looked as flat-footed as Aki Berg at times.

On the WJC: What a train wreck. I heard, however, that Morgan Rielly was the only Canadian D man to have a positive +/-. It was a shame that he was blocked behind Murphy, who inexplicably got so much PP1 time all tourney.
- Leeman4Gilmour

Don't want to rehash the "bad Wilson theme", but it must be pretty apparent (and hopefully is to Burke & Co) that much of the challenges that kids like Schenn and Kadri had to face were Wilson "engineering" the roster to keep stiffs like Komisarek, Connolly, Lebda, Dupius in the line up. There was too many flashes of quality ability on each Schenn and Kadri's parts to be treated like they were...

and hopefully ... Carlyle won't play the same "favor" the vets nonsense ... honestly, as a long - and I mean LONG suffering Leaf fan... I just don't want to see Connolly and Komisarek in Leaf uniforms any more. No brains, and in Connolly's case - very little effort.

He was the better goalie in the exhibition games
- Fakepartofme

So was the guy that played #3.... so were some that were cut.

Subban is familiar with international ice (U18, Bellville is international ice)....... both goalies that have played have sucked. Makes no difference.

not entirely accurate... Aulie was a the relatively rare combination of decent footspeed and size... and he played his best NHL hockey when out of necessity (due to injuries) he got ample playing time mostly with Phaneuf.

Then the other worldly coach of the millenium Ron Wilson decided he needed Komisarek's locker room leadership and Burke dealt for Lilies. Gardner's emergence eliminated the spot that Aulie had filled after (thank God) Kaberle was shown the door. Nothing wrong with Aulie - and with Schenn now gone, he would have been the right fit to stick around. Yes there are D prospects - but guys like Gardiner, Liles and soon to arrive Reily are all the smaller "type" of d-men. Leaving that to Phaneuf takes him out of his most effective role in my opinion.
- BorjeFan4Ever

aulie was terrible in training camp that year and they couldn't use him. he was running out of options (waivers about to kick in) and even in the A he was a mess.

Don't want to rehash the "bad Wilson theme", but it must be pretty apparent (and hopefully is to Burke & Co) that much of the challenges that kids like Schenn and Kadri had to face were Wilson "engineering" the roster to keep stiffs like Komisarek, Connolly, Lebda, Dupius in the line up. There was too many flashes of quality ability on each Schenn and Kadri's parts to be treated like they were...

and hopefully ... Carlyle won't play the same "favor" the vets nonsense ... honestly, as a long - and I mean LONG suffering Leaf fan... I just don't want to see Connolly and Komisarek in Leaf uniforms any more. No brains, and in Connolly's case - very little effort.
- BorjeFan4Ever

from everything heard carlyle likes kadri.... they just couldnt get him into the lineup due to the callup rule

from everything heard carlyle likes kadri.... they just couldnt get him into the lineup due to the callup rule
- burn

and hopefully his "body fat" isn't 1% to high... cause we all know that would just kill his ability to back-check....

that is the reason he was drafted highly - his ability to back check.

Saw a few topics discussed on here, and thought I'd add my two cents:

On Ron Wilson: He was terrible and his time here was a disaster. We can debate how much of the blame he gets, but let's all acknowledge that he was a mess, too. His system looked like crap.

On Schenn: I wanted to like him so much (and still do), but when a defensive specialist coach shows up and says he can't use him, you know there's a problem. He looked as flat-footed as Aki Berg at times.

On the WJC: What a train wreck. I heard, however, that Morgan Rielly was the only Canadian D man to have a positive +/-. It was a shame that he was blocked behind Murphy, who inexplicably got so much PP1 time all tourney.
- Leeman4Gilmour

You heard wrong. Only one (I'll let you guess who that clown was) was a minus, 3 were 0, and the rest were +.

Murphy was a total waste.

and hopefully his "body fat" isn't 1% to high... cause we all know that would just kill his ability to back-check....

that is the reason he was drafted highly - his ability to back check.
- BorjeFan4Ever

What a mess... Aside from those first 6 or 8 games Kadri has been a beast.


Leave it to this organization to treat a player like that.

What a mess... Aside from those first 6 or 8 games Kadri has been a beast.


Leave it to this organization to treat a player like that.
- burn

Kadri might always be that kind of guy you need to sit down and chat every now and then, but if he can provide 40-55 points he'll be a success.

Hell...we could have drafted Scott "Leaching off Brayden Schenn" Glennie holy (frank) that is looking like a piss poor choice by the Stars at 8.

3rd line has a more defensive role, kulemin is suited for a third line winger, not Mac.

We have like no one else for D unless you want to see komi playing, which id rather much have kostka or holzer playing that last slot. Kadri would start because having 25 pts in 25 games at an AHL level where he continues to improve should finally have a spot on the leafs, and that is as a second line winger.

To all those saying bozak is a number one centerman or is best suited as a centerman on first line, id rather see kadri or JVR attempt to be "that" centerman for the time being until burke gets a real centerman. Bozak is pretty good defensively and would suit the third line which looks really good for him between frattin and kulemin.
- Mapleleafs_91

I disagree with this post, and here is why:

I think Bozak is far and away our best option at first line centre. He is good defensivley and has good chemistry with Lupul and Kessel. The idea of a true number one, or "real" centre is overblown. Sure, adding a guy like Spezza, Crosby or Toews would make the team better, no kidding, right! The point I seek to make is that if you have 2 elite offensive options on your first line, there will be enough room out there to carry a guy like Bozak. Sure they are obviously a better line with Getzlaf or Stamkoes, but don't miss the point, Bozak is fine there if - and crucially - they have a scoring line #2 that can pull top pairing dmen and defensive forwards off the number one line. Grabovski centring Kadri and JVR will do that, no probs.

There is no room on this team for Macarthur anymore, he's gonna have to fight it out with Lombardi (also cut) Connolly, Frattin, Kulemin, and and maybe even Mclement for the third line jobs. You have to assume that Brown and Steckel are locks for the fourth line. So camp outta be interesting, but outside a trade, I don't see the top six moving from what I have suggested although, who knows I could be wrong I live in the friggin ocean for chrst sakes!!

I also see Rielly on this team because the Leafs need to have a fast flowing defense for this team to work properly and he looked really good in WJs Phenuef, Rielly, Gardner is gonna be a scary half of a defensive unit one day, maybe even next week.

Kadri might always be that kind of guy you need to sit down and chat every now and then, but if he can provide 40-55 points he'll be a success.

Hell...we could have drafted Scott "Leaching off Brayden Schenn" Glennie holy (frank) that is looking like a piss poor choice by the Stars at 8.
- AdamFrench

I wanted nothing to do with Glennie. That sure is ugly.

Kypreos say could be done in 24 hours.

You heard wrong. Only one (I'll let you guess who that clown was) was a minus, 3 were 0, and the rest were +.

Murphy was a total waste.
- burn

Murphy was a giant waste of space. I said to my GF before the game losing goal went in that I bet Murphy would be on the ice for it. It didn't look like he even tried to stop the guy getting by him. Spott was a complete minge for playing him

Murphy was a giant waste of space. I said to my GF before the game losing goal went in that I bet Murphy would be on the ice for it. It didn't look like he even tried to stop the guy getting by him. Spott was a complete minge for playing him
- xxCHRISTOFIRExx

Please see last page... 9:38AM

only reason he was there is because of the coach. he didnt earn it, nor did he earn a second of the ice he got. 1st PP every time. total waste.

Nice little goal Kenny Ryan


http://www.youtube.com/wa...ture=youtube_gdata_player

Please see last page... 9:38AM

only reason he was there is because of the coach. he didnt earn it, nor did he earn a second of the ice he got. 1st PP every time. total waste.
- burn

I don't know what the consensus is, but I for one have no tolerance for people ripping on these kids. He was only there because of the coach? Not saying that isn't possible, but do you seriously follow junior hockey enough to present that as a fact? I seriously doubt it. Jesus, one bad period costs them the gold and its like they were the worst team of all time.