So Far, So Good, Just not Great, yet?
In taking over the Coaching Position for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Paul Maurice had some giant shoes to fill. Quinn was, and is a great coach. With that said, Maurice has done a very commendable job as the Leafs new bench boss, but there is room for improvement with time. I promised my coaching review after game 42, but as you can tell, every post is review of some kind.
Goaltending, covered December 10th&17th.
McCabe, covered September 20th & December 3rd
Defensive Pairings, covered December 25th
Forward Continuity, covered December 25th
GP W L OT PTS GF GA 8th in the East
42 19 17 6 44 141 140
I may be mistaken, but the Leafs had a better record during their last campaign at this point in the season. However, this year there seems to be a greater sense of optimism for the second half of the season, this teams young guns are now officially the Leafs core. Maurice utilized with great measure his 2 years spent in the “A” preparing for these days. Proof is in the player, as Wellwood, Colaiacovo, White, Bell, Battaglia, Pohl, and Newbury have proven themselves as NHLers, some more so then others.
In terms of playing time, I questioned Maurice for continuing to give the reigns to White over Bell and minuets over Colaiacovo. Last night, White ended the game at a +6 with 2 assists and played great hockey doing it. White proved since he came at the end of last year that he is a gamer, runs on smarts, instinct and desire, and although he may not be the best suited to play with Gill, Maurice stuck with him and hopefully gave him the time to gain confidence and complete control over his game. For that I give him credit because I would have gone another way, still standing by my earlier post in stating that Bell has got more talented puck moving, handling and winning abilities then White, while both need positional work which should come with more experience. White currently being paired with McCabe, White has shown greater promise and has been effective at both ends of the rink, more importantly in the defensive end because the puck was never there, and when it was, thoes two were able to get out of jams with quick effect shot passes between them. It has only been two games and vs. a beleaguered Bruin team, but I have to take solace in the fact Maurice is on to something with this, more notably it wasn’t White’s first good game and it definitely wont be his last. Although you will never convince me he is a better fit for the PK then Colaiacovo, cause when you’re shorthanded, size and reach really do matter.
Finally putting Kubina and Kaberle together, priceless.
The front lines are a completely different story, the walking wounded are a talented group that presently include the likes of Tucker, Wellwood, Ponikarovsky, Antropov and Peca. Being able to continue the magnificent play of the last few games, plus at one point having to integrate these players back into your lineup will be a task that will earn Maurice his official status as Leaf coach. At this crucial point in the season, if this team falters at any time, the season could be lost. What makes this process even greater is the fact that Devereaux has surpassed all expectations while Newbury, has arguably left as great an impact or even greater, thus leaving the Leafs Coach with a grand problem to have, depth. At the present moment Maurice has been perfect with his new combinations, and again I give him a lot of credit, the final question that will soon be answered as to how he plugs the lineup when the team is healthy. This is how I would plug in the injured from the successes throughout the season, post the 10 goal game
13, with 92&10
42, with 80&23
27, with 16&22
14, with 18&54
...at this point in the season.
Battaglia is so close, but Devereaux is a far better skater and more responsible on D. Although if Stajan falters, Plug D-VO at C and Bates at W
As good as Pohl is, he is no where near as effective as a 4th line player.
Suglobov just can not seem to find it as of yet.
Ondrus is far removed in talent at this point in his career.
Belak should be a D.
Also, I will stop mentioning to put McCabe on W, I have made it clear what I think.
Most importantly what this coach and team need to do is put 4 strong lines out there and give that 4th line a greater role, this 3 min a game is garbage and totally disrupts the flow of that line making them useless, maybe this is why (ie Pohl) played so poorly at the start of the year, why (ie Belak) can find his comfort level, and role within this team, he is a hockey player. The fact remains that a 4 line team is tougher to read and play against. Not to mention the fact that with less ice time guaranteed to the rest of the team, it could in fact get them pushing harder each shift. If you want to play Sundin more he could always jump in on that 4th line when needed, thus sitting one player instead of all 3. The argument could be made that with all the injuries this couldn't have been done, well, I for one hope to see it when the team is well.
Goaltending, covered December 10th&17th.
McCabe, covered September 20th & December 3rd
Defensive Pairings, covered December 25th
Forward Continuity, covered December 25th
GP W L OT PTS GF GA 8th in the East
42 19 17 6 44 141 140
I may be mistaken, but the Leafs had a better record during their last campaign at this point in the season. However, this year there seems to be a greater sense of optimism for the second half of the season, this teams young guns are now officially the Leafs core. Maurice utilized with great measure his 2 years spent in the “A” preparing for these days. Proof is in the player, as Wellwood, Colaiacovo, White, Bell, Battaglia, Pohl, and Newbury have proven themselves as NHLers, some more so then others.
In terms of playing time, I questioned Maurice for continuing to give the reigns to White over Bell and minuets over Colaiacovo. Last night, White ended the game at a +6 with 2 assists and played great hockey doing it. White proved since he came at the end of last year that he is a gamer, runs on smarts, instinct and desire, and although he may not be the best suited to play with Gill, Maurice stuck with him and hopefully gave him the time to gain confidence and complete control over his game. For that I give him credit because I would have gone another way, still standing by my earlier post in stating that Bell has got more talented puck moving, handling and winning abilities then White, while both need positional work which should come with more experience. White currently being paired with McCabe, White has shown greater promise and has been effective at both ends of the rink, more importantly in the defensive end because the puck was never there, and when it was, thoes two were able to get out of jams with quick effect shot passes between them. It has only been two games and vs. a beleaguered Bruin team, but I have to take solace in the fact Maurice is on to something with this, more notably it wasn’t White’s first good game and it definitely wont be his last. Although you will never convince me he is a better fit for the PK then Colaiacovo, cause when you’re shorthanded, size and reach really do matter.
Finally putting Kubina and Kaberle together, priceless.
The front lines are a completely different story, the walking wounded are a talented group that presently include the likes of Tucker, Wellwood, Ponikarovsky, Antropov and Peca. Being able to continue the magnificent play of the last few games, plus at one point having to integrate these players back into your lineup will be a task that will earn Maurice his official status as Leaf coach. At this crucial point in the season, if this team falters at any time, the season could be lost. What makes this process even greater is the fact that Devereaux has surpassed all expectations while Newbury, has arguably left as great an impact or even greater, thus leaving the Leafs Coach with a grand problem to have, depth. At the present moment Maurice has been perfect with his new combinations, and again I give him a lot of credit, the final question that will soon be answered as to how he plugs the lineup when the team is healthy. This is how I would plug in the injured from the successes throughout the season, post the 10 goal game
13, with 92&10
42, with 80&23
27, with 16&22
14, with 18&54
...at this point in the season.
Battaglia is so close, but Devereaux is a far better skater and more responsible on D. Although if Stajan falters, Plug D-VO at C and Bates at W
As good as Pohl is, he is no where near as effective as a 4th line player.
Suglobov just can not seem to find it as of yet.
Ondrus is far removed in talent at this point in his career.
Belak should be a D.
Also, I will stop mentioning to put McCabe on W, I have made it clear what I think.
Most importantly what this coach and team need to do is put 4 strong lines out there and give that 4th line a greater role, this 3 min a game is garbage and totally disrupts the flow of that line making them useless, maybe this is why (ie Pohl) played so poorly at the start of the year, why (ie Belak) can find his comfort level, and role within this team, he is a hockey player. The fact remains that a 4 line team is tougher to read and play against. Not to mention the fact that with less ice time guaranteed to the rest of the team, it could in fact get them pushing harder each shift. If you want to play Sundin more he could always jump in on that 4th line when needed, thus sitting one player instead of all 3. The argument could be made that with all the injuries this couldn't have been done, well, I for one hope to see it when the team is well.
posted by LEAFER at
10:44 PM
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