Start Fast, Finish Strong
GP W L OT PTS GF GA
34 16 13 5 37 113 114
It looks as though the Maple Leafs have finally found their mantra as to how to acquire wins during the 2006/07 season, Start Fast and Finish Strong. While playing against some competitive teams this week, this Leaf squad dug deep to win 3 straight to emerge out of the ugliest point of the season to date. This 7 game loosing streak brought the Leafs and its supporters to Hell and back, as it seemed that the season was shortly coming to an end. In the past 10 games the true colours of this team and franchise were exposed, I have already touched on major issues in previous posts, some in more detail (i.e. the goaltending). Here is where the Leafs stand.
Goal (see previous post)
At this point in the season, continue to split duties until the number 1 spot is earned. Raycroft will be better off to win this battle, and if he does not, Aubin will not be ruined in his attempt.
Defense
The addition of Carlo Colaiacovo is one of great magnitude, one that is being downplayed by this organization as a result of a past possible career ending injury. This same injury which has given Colaiacovo the tools to become the exceptional player he has shown in his first three games since his return.
The player that stepped on the ice this year is far different then the one we have seen before, the difference is simply confidence and maturity. I believe the confidence came when he seen how lesser players to himself were able to step into his place, into the NHL, and play at competent and successful levels. Ian White is an example, as well as what Jay Harrison was able to do last season. These are two defensemen that were clearly rated lower then him on the depth chart in the minor leagues. His maturity is there and visible every time he touches the puck. Whether it is a simple poke check to the corner, or a poised clearance of the defensive zone, Coloiacovo seems confident and trustworthy and is doing the little things right to be a defensive force in the back. These things were glaringly obvious because I always felt that these were traits that the young defender was missing in his game. His hitting and toughness were always growing with his age; as his offensive talents of shooting and passing were always present throughout his career. Putting all these things together can only mean he is very close to becoming a complete player. Putting him next to a defensive stud that Kubina will round out to be is another positive. Baring in mind that all this three games into the season at limited minuets is easier said then done. The only thing left for Carlo is to continue this precedent with extended minuets and remain consistent throughout an entire season, if he can do that, it gives this team another superhero at D.
Forwards
I trashed Pohl in previous posts, but I was able to see his importance to this 2006/07 club during this stretch. It is clear that for now this organization has put its faith in the likes of Wellwood, Stajan and Steen when it comes to the next wave of forwards. With Wellwood looking like a perennial star as each game passes, Pohl gives this team a smart speedy centermen who is capable of playing a somewhat similar game desired by both Stajan and Steen. Pohl is definitely smart enough, and very quick to be able to be plugged in to steal minuets away form these two young kids, notwithstanding to a lesser skill and strength degree, and with much less upside. His ability to be plugged in as a 2nd or 3rd line center works much similar to the way I felt competition will bring out the best of the goaltender situation, in this case if Stajan and Steen are forced to compete for ice time, put on the 4th line, and are put in a situation where they see a lesser player is excelling where they should be, it will in turn produce better play out of these two kids, that or they will be exposed and the future tag will be removed as a result. John Pohl is the inexpensive key that lets us do this without much risk, and without much movement to the roster if in-fact these two are who the Leafs want them to be. Maybe, just maybe through all of this Pohl will carve a niche in this club, he does need to get stronger on the puck, without that, the only niche he’ll find is the pressbox.
34 16 13 5 37 113 114
It looks as though the Maple Leafs have finally found their mantra as to how to acquire wins during the 2006/07 season, Start Fast and Finish Strong. While playing against some competitive teams this week, this Leaf squad dug deep to win 3 straight to emerge out of the ugliest point of the season to date. This 7 game loosing streak brought the Leafs and its supporters to Hell and back, as it seemed that the season was shortly coming to an end. In the past 10 games the true colours of this team and franchise were exposed, I have already touched on major issues in previous posts, some in more detail (i.e. the goaltending). Here is where the Leafs stand.
Goal (see previous post)
At this point in the season, continue to split duties until the number 1 spot is earned. Raycroft will be better off to win this battle, and if he does not, Aubin will not be ruined in his attempt.
Defense
The addition of Carlo Colaiacovo is one of great magnitude, one that is being downplayed by this organization as a result of a past possible career ending injury. This same injury which has given Colaiacovo the tools to become the exceptional player he has shown in his first three games since his return.
The player that stepped on the ice this year is far different then the one we have seen before, the difference is simply confidence and maturity. I believe the confidence came when he seen how lesser players to himself were able to step into his place, into the NHL, and play at competent and successful levels. Ian White is an example, as well as what Jay Harrison was able to do last season. These are two defensemen that were clearly rated lower then him on the depth chart in the minor leagues. His maturity is there and visible every time he touches the puck. Whether it is a simple poke check to the corner, or a poised clearance of the defensive zone, Coloiacovo seems confident and trustworthy and is doing the little things right to be a defensive force in the back. These things were glaringly obvious because I always felt that these were traits that the young defender was missing in his game. His hitting and toughness were always growing with his age; as his offensive talents of shooting and passing were always present throughout his career. Putting all these things together can only mean he is very close to becoming a complete player. Putting him next to a defensive stud that Kubina will round out to be is another positive. Baring in mind that all this three games into the season at limited minuets is easier said then done. The only thing left for Carlo is to continue this precedent with extended minuets and remain consistent throughout an entire season, if he can do that, it gives this team another superhero at D.
Forwards
I trashed Pohl in previous posts, but I was able to see his importance to this 2006/07 club during this stretch. It is clear that for now this organization has put its faith in the likes of Wellwood, Stajan and Steen when it comes to the next wave of forwards. With Wellwood looking like a perennial star as each game passes, Pohl gives this team a smart speedy centermen who is capable of playing a somewhat similar game desired by both Stajan and Steen. Pohl is definitely smart enough, and very quick to be able to be plugged in to steal minuets away form these two young kids, notwithstanding to a lesser skill and strength degree, and with much less upside. His ability to be plugged in as a 2nd or 3rd line center works much similar to the way I felt competition will bring out the best of the goaltender situation, in this case if Stajan and Steen are forced to compete for ice time, put on the 4th line, and are put in a situation where they see a lesser player is excelling where they should be, it will in turn produce better play out of these two kids, that or they will be exposed and the future tag will be removed as a result. John Pohl is the inexpensive key that lets us do this without much risk, and without much movement to the roster if in-fact these two are who the Leafs want them to be. Maybe, just maybe through all of this Pohl will carve a niche in this club, he does need to get stronger on the puck, without that, the only niche he’ll find is the pressbox.
posted by LEAFER at
8:56 PM
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