10 People Who Could Improve the Leafs.

[Kin]

They're not great, no, but Bozak did a good job of riding shotgun with Kessel and Lupul last season. Obviously, to become a contender, an upgrade is needed, but in terms of next season, having him there again isn't the end of the world.

I don't know how good a job Bozak really did. He was there, sure, and he didn't actively prevent Lupul or Kessel's career years but I don't think he contributed much to them either.

The world is probably safe though.

 

[Kin]

(ii) would anyone really want Connolly? Even for a marginal playoff team, he doesn't offer a whole lot if he's not producing and if he is producing then he's likely to stay.

I think there's a good chance he gets dealt. If the Leafs are contending for a playoff spot and he's a contributing part of that he probably stays but if he struggles or the Leafs are out of it I think he can definitely be moved. Let's keep in mind that, so long as there's only a month or so left on a contract, just about anyone can go. Two different teams traded for Vesa Toskala in a similar situation.

And, in maybe a best case scenario, if the Leafs are out of the race and he has a decent season? He could land a pretty decent haul.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Grabovski would be a far better option at #1 C, IMO.  His corsi numbers are great, as well as having a better overall game that don't show up in the numbers.  Grabovski has shown he drives possession, and that's great for an offensive player like Kessel and Lupul/JVR/whoever is the other winger.

I don't remember how many games he has played with Kessel, but I seem to recall they have played briefly on a line and looked good together.

I think Bozak is a good player, but it should be in a 3rd line role.

 

[Kin]

Grabovski would be a far better option at #1 C, IMO.  His corsi numbers are great, as well as having a better overall game that don't show up in the numbers.  Grabovski has shown he drives possession, and that's great for an offensive player like Kessel and Lupul/JVR/whoever is the other winger.

I don't remember how many games he has played with Kessel, but I seem to recall they have played briefly on a line and looked good together.

I think Bozak is a good player, but it should be in a 3rd line role.

I agree to an extent but the problem there is that you might be bunching the only three really good offensive forwards the team has on the same line. A Kessel/Grabs/Lupul top line leaves a second line of Kulemin/Connolly/JVR or Kulemin/Connolly/Mac assuming Bozak is in that third line role. Those are combinations that scored a grand total of 31(with JVR) or 40(Mac) goals between them last season. Even if JVR develops and Kulemin rebounds you're still leaving that line without a good offensive centre and leaving the prospective top line vulnerable to the other team's concerted efforts to just shut them down.

 

[Bullfrog]

So maybe the key acquisition that's needed is not a #1C, but a #2C? Is it possible that we'll be able to fill that role internally? kadri or Colborne?

 

[Bullfrog]

I think JVR on Grabbo's wing will be a great fit, with Kulemin on the other side.

That's exactly what I pictured. that's two very strong wingers, neither afraid to play physical.

 

[#1PilarFan]

So maybe the key acquisition that's needed is not a #1C, but a #2C? Is it possible that we'll be able to fill that role internally? kadri or Colborne?

Grabovski's our best option for 1C, but that shouldn't change Burke's focus from acquiring a top line centre. I mean, the Leafs are far from contenders so I might be getting ahead of myself, but I just think you're not going to be a great NHL team with Grabbo getting top minutes.

 

[#1PilarFan]

They're not great, no, but Bozak did a good job of riding shotgun with Kessel and Lupul last season. Obviously, to become a contender, an upgrade is needed, but in terms of next season, having him there again isn't the end of the world.

No, but if the Leafs are trying to make the playoffs then throwing Bozak out on the top line again is probably not the right choice.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

They're not great, no, but Bozak did a good job of riding shotgun with Kessel and Lupul last season. Obviously, to become a contender, an upgrade is needed, but in terms of next season, having him there again isn't the end of the world.

No, but if the Leafs are trying to make the playoffs then throwing Bozak out on the top line again is probably not the right choice.

The top line wasn't the reason we missed the playoffs last season though. If that group can maintain status quo and we improve our defence and goaltending then the playoffs should be a realistic goal.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

I think JVR on Grabbo's wing will be a great fit, with Kulemin on the other side.

That's exactly what I pictured. that's two very strong wingers, neither afraid to play physical.

My problem with that is it leaves very little size for the 3rd line. I've always been a fan of the idea to pair players together and rotate the 3rd guy to form lines. My pairs for the Leafs would be Lupul/Kessel, Grabs/JVR, and McClement/Kulemin. Bozak, Connolly, MacArthur, Kadri, and Frattin fight to complete the lines.

 

[bustaheims]

The top line wasn't the reason we missed the playoffs last season though. If that group can maintain status quo and we improve our defence and goaltending then the playoffs should be a realistic goal.

Exactly. The issue last season wasn't the top line, it was the goaltending, defence and inconsistent secondary scoring. Bozak on the top line is way down on the list of reasons why the Leafs might not make the playoffs.

 

[Kin]

The top line wasn't the reason we missed the playoffs last season though.

But no one thing was the reason the Leafs missed the playoffs. No one thing was that bad and, on the flip side, nothing was really good enough. Even Lupul/Kessel, at their best, tended to struggle a bit when they were required to do just about anything other than score in a free wheeling game(particularly during the slide). So, yeah, not a trainwreck but it needs to improve just the same as anything else

 

[Kin]

So maybe the key acquisition that's needed is not a #1C, but a #2C? Is it possible that we'll be able to fill that role internally? kadri or Colborne?

It's my recollection, and take it for what it's worth, that Kessel/Grabo weren't a terrific combination in part because both guys are most effective when they've got the puck.

Personally I still think that they need a #1 centre who's not only an effective player himself but also addresses some of the short comings that the #1 line has as presently constructed. Physicality/defense/what have you.

 

[rdowdall]

So maybe the key acquisition that's needed is not a #1C, but a #2C? Is it possible that we'll be able to fill that role internally? kadri or Colborne?

It's my recollection, and take it for what it's worth, that Kessel/Grabo weren't a terrific combination in part because both guys are most effective when they've got the puck.

Personally I still think that they need a #1 centre who's not only an effective player himself but also addresses some of the short comings that the #1 line has as presently constructed. Physicality/defense/what have you.

I'll second the Kessel/Grabo recollection.  When they played together, it was underwhelming at best.  I don't think external help is coming, so it may be best to approach the situation is by have a good group of top 6 forwards, because they aren't going to match the talent of a Pittsburgh or a Philly. 

I think the only chance that the Leafs are going to have this year is to outwork their opponents, and win through committee, like the Coyotes.  If you look at that Coyotes, I don't think their roster is all that much better than the Leafs, but they find a way to win.  I think that Phoenix is coached extremely well, but I think the Leafs may have a little more talent on their roster.  At the end of the day, it isn't out of the realm of possibility for this team to make the playoffs, but I do think a lot has to go right.

 

[caver]

So maybe the key acquisition that's needed is not a #1C, but a #2C? Is it possible that we'll be able to fill that role internally? kadri or Colborne?

It's my recollection, and take it for what it's worth, that Kessel/Grabo weren't a terrific combination in part because both guys are most effective when they've got the puck.

Personally I still think that they need a #1 centre who's not only an effective player himself but also addresses some of the short comings that the #1 line has as presently constructed. Physicality/defense/what have you.

Just to keep that line of thinking going I have thought the Leafs could try to pick up a center who is not thought of as a number 1 guy , but who brings those qualities. Big and defensively sound, decent passer, somebody who could equal Bozak's offense but also bring better defensive play and bang a bit. I don't know who that could be but they do exist.

 

[moon111]

So maybe the key acquisition that's needed is not a #1C, but a #2C? Is it possible that we'll be able to fill that role internally? kadri or Colborne?

It's my recollection, and take it for what it's worth, that Kessel/Grabo weren't a terrific combination in part because both guys are most effective when they've got the puck.

Personally I still think that they need a #1 centre who's not only an effective player himself but also addresses some of the short comings that the #1 line has as presently constructed. Physicality/defense/what have you.

Just to keep that line of thinking going I have thought the Leafs could try to pick up a center who is not thought of as a number 1 guy , but who brings those qualities. Big and defensively sound, decent passer, somebody who could equal Bozak's offense but also bring better defensive play and bang a bit. I don't know who that could be but they do exist.

Sounds like the Doug Gilmour trade all over.