07/08 Player Profile - #21 John Pohl

# 21
John Pohl

6' 1" 196lbs Rochester, MN, US
6/29/1979

2006/07
GM G A PTS PIM PPG SHG GWG SH SH% +/-
74 13 16 29 10 3 0 1 105 12.4 -4

As a fourth line center, playing roughly 5 min a game, this guy was just brutal to watch. Continuously getting burned on the counter attack, or being caught watching his mark score a goal from the slot. It worsened by each game, battles for the puck were non-existent, and when Pohl obtained possession, he was easily pushed of the disc in mere seconds.

Then something happened, Peca’s leg shattered. Pohl was bumped up in the depth chart and immediately contributed to the Toronto Maple Leafs. His speed became very noticeable, both on offence and on the back check. This speed associated more minutes and responsibility, a greater focus on positioning, not to mention more creative wingers, enabled Pohl to put numbers on the board. He does have good offensive ability and a great ability to make a great pass. As the season progressed, he did have tendencies of getting burned by a goal or two as a result of a counter attack. This primarily would occur in road games when the opposition would have the last change, thus targeting Pohls line.

It is very difficult for a center of John Pohls size and style to sustain himself in the NHL. Due to his lack of reach, his positioning, instinct and speed has to be that much better. For the Toronto Maple Leafs this feat is even more difficult due to this teams lack of toughness and especially since the Leafs are going with Wellwood at center, they are very similar in stature.That said, Pohl can get better, and if a greater tenacity for the puck occurs this season, he could compete for a spot. I do not think he is a fit for the 4th line center, then again, I do not think any player could succeed playing 5 min a game, it again is paramount this Leafs team moves to a 4 line unit, but that is another argument for another time.

For the upcoming year I would like to see Pohl as a great 13th forward, keeping Wellwood on his toes all season, and being a solid contributor when called upon.

07/08 Player Profile - #18 Chad Kilger

#18
Chad Kilger

6'4" 224 lbs Cornwall, ON, CA
11/27/1976

2006/07
GM G A PTS PIM PPG SHG GWG SH SH% +/-
82 14 14 28 58 0 1 2 141 9.9 -5

Quite simply lead the team in work ethic on every shift during his first season. Year two hasn’t been as impressive, this may be due to the fact you want each player to improve, but Kilger has been even keel year two. He gives an honest effort each night, each shift. This combined with a high intensity fore-check, cannon shot, and he finishes his checks.

The one part of his game that is keeping him from being a lock on the wing is his plus/minus. Say what you want about the stat, but it does mean you get scored on. Part in parcel to him getting the GA has to do with how simple it has become to read Kilger’s play. Running hard nose full tilt for an entire shift can be countered with effective puck possession. He did lead the team in hits, but this is exactly my point, more focus should be on positioning then the hit, unless this talent of smash mouth hockey is staggered and disguised, the opponent will expect it, and it becomes useless. Boyd Devereaux does this better then most. That said the defence is not out of the woods in this scenarios, I believe when a forward does push up and finish his check, it is up to the D to push up and do the same.

All this does is get us to the point that this Leafs team needs to be much more aggressive all around. Next year does look promising with a healthy Antropov, Ponikarovsky, Colaiacovo, Kubina, also Belak, and now Bell, Blake we also will see if Kuelimin is ready to fit this mould, not to mention Gill.