07/08 Player Profile - #10 Alexander Steen

# 10
Steen, Alexander

6' 1" 200 lbs Winnipeg, Manitoba
3/1/1984

2006/07
GM G A PTS PIM PPG SHG GWG SH SH% +/-
82 15 20 35 26 4 5 192 7.8 5

Steen, here is a player looking to make a name for himself in his third full season in the NHL. There is a saying that numbers don’t lie, in Steen’s case, numbers do not tell the whole story of what this player adds to a roster. In his first season Steen was more productive, accumulating more goals and assists while playing 10 less games then his did in his second season. Whit that said I found Steen was far better and a definitely more complete player in his second year. The heightened stats in his rookie season were brought about with more minuets on the power play, not to mention a greater number of shifts with Leafs captain Mats Sundin. During year two, Steen has had to take more responsibility for his own game, and as a result has blossomed into a more cunning and intelligent player on the ice.

The upcoming season holds great promise for the son of former NHLer Tomas Steen. Steen’s knowledge of the game gives him the tools to play effectively on any of the 4 forward lines, thus providing a winger with good offensive abilities but more importantly great defensive presence, something clearly lacking on this Leafs squad. It is this same knowledge and defensive presence that enables Steen to be such a force on the PK.

Although his natural position is at center, Steen can offer these talents on wing without missing a beat. His skating has continued to improve; proof is the many rushes Steen led on the outside wing that resulted into good scoring opportunities. A better shot could help these opportunities becoming actual results. Although he may seem small in stature, Steen is very strong on his skates and has potential to be that bull in a china shop with his strong center of gravity. His greatest offensive talent is his hands, while we have yet to see the full potential of his play with the puck, his stick handling is outstanding

I feel once Steen’s experience in the NHL is equal to that of his knowledge and patients for the game, this player will reach his full potential. That potential will see him matched up against any opponents top line, frustrating them defensively while at the same time shifting their focus on defending as Steen will be able to take it too them offensively.

07/08 Player Profile - #8 Carlo Colaiacovo

# 8
Colaiacovo, Carlo

6' 1" 200 lbs Toronto, Ontario
1/27/1983

2006/07
GM G A PTS PIM PPG SHG GWG SH SH% +/-
48 8 9 17 22 1 60 13.3 5

Revisiting a section I wrote Sunday, December 17th, 2006 – after Carlos' return from injury, best describes where his skill set is and will be going. Coloiacovo is ready to take on a top 4 Defenseman’s role, the NHL’s slot for Prime Time defenseman. That means heavy minuets, Penalty Kill and on a team with Kaberle and McCabe, a touch of the PowerPlay.

(Sunday, December 17, 2006)
“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.”


From this point on, throughout the entire season, Coloiacovo continued this trend and far surpassed it. Although he never got his minuets on the PK and PP, his 5-5 ice time increased as each game ended. His play and skill set as mentioned above continued to flourish.

Coloiacovo wowed us in clutch games and clutch moments, two come to mind. Down 2-0 vs, New Jersey after Kaberle was hit late by ‘meathead’, Coloiacovo stepped up scoring a huge goal. In the biggest Leaf game of the year, Coloiacovo scored a monster goal against Montreal when again the Leafs looked beat. This guy has so much room to grow, but he is taking all the right steps.

His Defense is what I am most excited about as a Leafer. He hits, digs, and battles with em all. His ability to move the puck in tight situations is as good as any. I cant wait to see how more ice time and responsibility improves his game to an even higher level.

As for injury, every player in the league has to be concerned of it, some have just been more lucky in the past.

07/08 Player Profile - #7 Ian White

# 7
White, Ian

5' 10" 185 lbs Steinbach, Manitoba
6/4/1984

2006/07
GM G A PTS PIM PPG SHG GWG SH SH% +/-
76 3 23 26 40 1 1 138 2.2 8

Ian White, here is a player that stormed into the Leafs line-up last year as a result of the defensive core suffering many injuries throughout the season. Due to his premature entry he had to battle inexperience right from day one, he did so quite admirably. White continued to improve, and as a result his minutes, more notably his point production improved steadily. He strengths were picking up a loose puck and skating it up the ice, more so, was his ability to fire that lead pass to a streaking forward.

He was paired almost right from the start with Hall Gill, although they had their strong games, this combination was at times liable defensively. Whites inexperience left him without the tools to adapt to Gills deficiencies with the puck. Whites poor positioning was also brought to light in the process, and his small statue and lack of speed & strength made it difficult for him to mark and tie up top flight players in the NHL.

His desire and heart make him a front runner for the 5-6 slot, he ended the season a plus 8 on a minus team. If paired with a more suitable D-man, we could see White flourish into a solid NHL defenseman. However, this team missing the playoffs 2 years in a row can't wait much longer. His defence needs work, but his offence continues to bloom, on a team that has a terrible time keeping the puck out of the net, this is one of the reasons he should not be in the running for the 5-6 slot on the Leafs blue line opening night.

07/08 Player Profile - #3 Wade Belak

# 3
Belak, Wade

6' 5" 221 lbs Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
7/3/1976

2006/07
GM G A PTS PIM PPG SHG GWG SH SH% +/-
65 0 3 3 110 16 - 8

Let me start by saying I had the gratification of sitting 10 rows up, second deck, the night Belak pounded ‘meathead’ in what was easily one of the most anticipated and entertaining fights in NHL history.

That said Wade Belak needs to be on that ice, his presence alone can alter the mindset of any opponent. Belak has been shifted from forward and defence throughout his tenure with the Blue and White. Wade was never able to get aquatinted to his surroundings, because as always, he had bigger fish to fry.

Belak should be a prime candidate to challenge for the 5 or 6 defensive slot, and here’s why. He is naturally a defenseman, and was drafted 12th overall in the 94 draft as such. His skill set is there, he is a very strong, quick skater at an enormous 6-5 220. His agility enables that quickness. His aggressiveness and strength are very good, which are great tools for intimidation, puck battles, and lifting opponents off the ice. Positioning can get better with coaching while utilizing his quickness. Without the puck Wade Belak is a force on the ice, with more time, and a hockey role he can only imporve.

With the puck his decision making is very poor, while again, familiarity and confidence can easily play a role in that outcome. For a stay at home defenseman his hands are average and are not a weakness. Both are areas able to be treated with a sure handed, fast puck moving defensive partner. As such, given the mindset that he is to compete for that D spot, I feel Belak can offer this team something it does not currently have, someone to fear on defence.

Since the days of Bob Rouse, then Dmitri Yushkevich, and then can opener; the Toronto Maple Leafs have yet to see a sustainable aggressive presence on the blue-line. While Hall Gill has definitely improved his standing as such a defenseman in the past year, and Kubina hopefully getting this part back in game, Belak will provide the thrid option of always having a mean defensive presense on that ice. Wade Belak can provide that presence in a faster stronger more limited role.

07/08 Player Profile - #1 Andrew Raycroft

#1
Raycroft, Andrew

6'0" 185 lbs. Belleville, Ontario
5/4/1980

2006/07
GM W L T MIN GA GAA SA SV SV%
72 37 25 9 4112 205 2.99 931 1726 89.4

A year ago, Raycroft was brought into this line-up as the answer to the goaltending deficiencies the Leafs had with an injured Belfour and an unproven Aubin. The only difference between Raycroft and Aubin however was a Calder trophy brought on by 1 solid consistent year. Raycroft was given the ball and ended the season 1 point from the playoffs. More dissapointing then his stats was a poor performance during the final and most crucial game of the season vs. Montreal. It was a Raycroft we seen far too many times that year, shaky.

His overall game has some positives. His down low game was incredible; Raycroft was one of the finest goalies to take away the lower part of the net with some of the quickest goal pads in the entire league. As a result, his angles were strong, that is before he gets moving side to side. When chaos would erupt in the slot, Raycroft easily lost his cool and was unable to match any sustained pressure; this was consistent throughout the season. His puck handling skills were poor; it created a terrible transition game between him and the defence. Raycroft's biggest and most revealing flaw was his inability to guard the top half of the net; his blocker was suspect but not as bad as his catching hand. Countless times throughout the season Raycroft waved goodbye to too many pucks as they flew by his trapper. This is a great area of concern as teams scout weaknesses, and as the season progressed, a goal of this fashion seemed ever more constant. All in all Raycroft had a bad year; his win total is blanketed by a lousy GAA, SVP and those many losses.

What a difference a year makes. The Leafs have since acquired Vesa Toskala, and although it remains to be seen, it looks as though Vesa will acquire the top spot in the same fashion as Raycroft did the year before. Keeping in mind that a healthy competition could bring out great things in both players, and with the luck Maurice and the Leafs had last season in naming a number 1, a competition could be just what the Leafs need.

I am hoping for a rebound season for Raycroft, redemption and a desire to prove himself in this city should be on the forefront. He is a keeper with very little confedence, he should know and except this fact, not be casual about leting in a weak goal, and as a result continue to work hard at improving. Although I am not convinced he has the demeanour to rebound from last , he could, and with Vesa in the line-up I am willing to give him this chance, that is of coarse if he doesn’t get traded first.