Most Improved Team?

[Bender]

Fair enough. However, I don't recall if Jagr had line-mates as good as Giroux, JVR, or Briere at the Worlds either though.

Well, he had guys like Plekanec, Frolik, Elias, Michalek and Voracek on the roster with him, so, while his linemates may not have been at exactly the same level as the guys he'll be will in Philly, they certainly weren't far off.

Speaking of Plekanec, the topic of Leaf centers vs. Habs centers came up yesterday...
Grabovski > Plekanec and Gomez
Connolly > Gomez (and possibly Plekanec too)

Anyway, I thought it was a neat thing to think about going forward in to this season.

Interesting way of looking at it.  I think Plekanec is a little better than Grabbo just based on his all-round game. I  wouldn't say he's dramatically better but just a bit more polished.  Grabbo could easily be as good or better if he continues to progress this year.    For sure both Leafs centres are going to be far more productive and useful than Gomez. 

Leafs are similarly built to the Habs up front - not star laden but going for the approach that lots of guys can contribute... except we have Kessel and their former 40 goal man hasn't broken 30 goals since 2005.

Now do the defense!

Montreal's offense was putrid last year. If Price didn't stand on his head they'd definitely be out of the playoffs.

 

[cw]

Fair enough. However, I don't recall if Jagr had line-mates as good as Giroux, JVR, or Briere at the Worlds either though.

Well, he had guys like Plekanec, Frolik, Elias, Michalek and Voracek on the roster with him, so, while his linemates may not have been at exactly the same level as the guys he'll be will in Philly, they certainly weren't far off.

I suspect Jagr's biggest asset to them will be on the PP. Even at 39 or whatever, I suspect he can help them there. Maybe they'll just give the younger guys a little more ice time in 5 on 5 situations where his age could be exposed.

 

[LittleHockeyFan]

*not* the Leafs anyway     

 

[maplesyrup]

*not* the Leafs anyway     

I think The Hockey News ranked us 9th in their top 10 improved teams... Or, maybe that was something else.

 

[Kin]

*not* the Leafs anyway     

No but cut them some slack. They're trying to sell the team.

 

[nutman]

I wont try and pick a most improved team this early, but i will toss in that the Blue jackets look very good after all there moves.

 

[hockeyfan1]

Looks like the Blue Jackets can now be classified as one of the worst teams (compared to what many thought was going to be a mediocre season at worst)...therefore...

The owner of the Columbus Blue Jackets is promising quick and (maybe) drastic action.

Speaking with the Columbus Dispatch, John P. McConnell wouldn't get into specifics but predicted significant changes in the coming month.

"We're going to get to a point very quickly where it's going to be obvious to people how extreme we're getting," McConnell said.

"Every option you can think of is being considered," the majority owner added. "When the 'nuclear' option is mentioned, I cringe less now than I did two months ago. That doesn't mean that's what we're going to do, but it certainly becomes a more realistic choice."

Ownership, management and the coaching staff will reportedly decide in the next two weeks whether to overhaul or just tweak the roster. Rest assured, changes will be made at the goaltending position either way. It's no longer a question of whether he's done in Columbus, but only how the 'Jackets will manage to rid themselves of Steve Mason.

As for other potential trade commodities, Jeff Carter tops a list that includes fellow forwards Vaclav (Vinny) Prospal, Antoine Vermette, Derick Brassard, Samuel Pahlsson and defenseman Grant Clitsome.

Source:  ESPN

 

[hap_leaf]

Had to look up this player since his name is so awesome: Grant Clitsome.
Good for him for being a 9th round selection in 2004 and toiling in the East Coast league 4 seasons.  Even has a 2 year contract extension so he must be an OK player.