Spin Spin -- Spin The Black Circle

The Toronto Maple Leafs are at a standstill, this team has been going in circles for the last few years and the injury bug can only be blamed for so long. With the amount of games being lost in the waning moments, one can only look to the coach for answers. When a team is unable to compete for an entire game, the finger must be pointed to the coaching staff and their decision making, this team has depth, it has talent, but it is unable to sustain it for and entire game. Paul Maurice needs to be held accountable for the mentality of this team, and more importantly for the roles and players he is using in his attempt to get back on track.

The simple fact that it took till the second period, after being down a goal, in the final game of a 7 game road trip for him to realize that loading up the top line was doing little for the team. With the home team getting the last change, it made it increasingly difficult for his top offensive players to get rolling; ultimately it produced limited offence from them and the rest of the team. Spread the wealth, especially on the road. Antropov is such an effective centermen, he has proven so in every opportunity now and in the past. Sundin and Antropov can always dbl up a shift if need be and always share powerplay time. This creates so much depth within the 4 lines, and creates an even greater problem of a strong second line. With Wellwood working through the rust of a tough injury, his time is best served for now as a 4th line center with limited minuets till he can get rolling again, and to also have him on a line that can be strategically used for instant offence and not be matched up vs a top scoring line.

It is clear that Maurice is unable to read and then adjust to a game being played. In addition to waiting too long to make alteration to lines that were obviously unproductive, he has a difficult time adjusting the game to adhere to special teams. Case and point last night, Hall Gill only sees 18min and Kubina 23min. While just last week they both logged closer to 30min. I understand that Colaiacovo came back to eat some minutes, but a drop of 5-7min for a player who was playing their best hockey is substantial, especially while a minus player in White does not see any reduction in his time. Either they can or cannot log the minutes, special teams or not, as a result confusion is created, as well as lack of trust. All this while not even mentioning Kaberle and his removal from the PK even with an injury to McCabe, although this problem was corrected in last nights game, hes not the lead D, but should be the first one counted on when the horses need a breather or are in the box.

Team defence can be questioned, but when forwards are expected to continually come back to aid the D pairings (white, woz, stralmen) it obviously speaks to the issues on the defensive end. Although, Stralmen has been showcaseing emence talent for that slot, skating, passing, and at times picking up the puck from the corner, and with heavy pressure making an end to end rush. It is important not to overload the D with thus type of D, Maurice continues to go with defenders that are more offensively talented then defensively, when a team struggles keeping the puck out of their own goal, you would have to think this is not the wisest of decisions. This teams forwards are continually being asked to make up for the lack Defence on the back end, it takes away from their offence, forecheck and overall game, thus any depth or advantage the Leafs had with their forward lines are lost due to the amount of time spent in their own zone.

Mark Bell being used as a 4th line center, playing under 8 minutes a game, has not played that position since playing it in early days in Chicago. Maurice has no problems ridiculing him for his defensive game, rather then put him in a position where he has proven this season to be more successful and have more of an impact. This is just one example of how Maurice treats each of his players differently, a move that can only create confusion and a lack of respect for each other. Ian White has never been reprimanded or even called out by his coach for numerous defensive errors. Why Bell and not White, it because of the personal relationship he chooses to have with each player. What did, what could Belak do in his 4 min of playing time to loose his roster spot in the last 3 games, no one knows, but what is clear, is that Maurice has his favourites, while it is, and should, be a coaches prerogative, the coach must also take the responsibility for it.

Sitting Wade Belak against a rough and aggressive Flyers team has to be questioned. Watching the smaller, quicker, Flyer forwards out work and out hit the Leafs last night is reason to believe enough. Relieving Belak from a game of this magnitude and style is unfathomable due to what has transpired throughout this season and last. This team has proven time and time again that without Wade on that bench, their confidence to match intensity and toughness is simply not their.

Goaltending was ruined last season by the coach, this season; Maurice continues to make the same mistakes. An overused Vesa has groin issues after a small break in the schedule, now, being forced to go with the backup, Raycroft is in no position to be confident and fit to take on the role, especially in a back to back. This left the team in a vulnerable position that both the Flyers and Isles took advantage of.

Belak, Bell, White, Raycroft, while it can be argued that these are merely bit players, and they do not have a substantial role therefore should not affect the core of this team. That said, hockey is a team sport, the culture and mentality created in that room is done through the relationship that the coach has with each and every player. How one player is treated and what responsibilities are allocated to him will rightly so affect the rest of the team and their state of mind, comfort level and focus.

Tomas Kaberle

As a result of the unfortunate injury to Brian McCabe, the word on the street is that Kaberle is getting back some ice on the PK team.

This is beneficial for the player and thus the team on so many levels.

Throughout his career, Kaberles deficiencies when battling for ice and pucks have been well documented; reason being it is the single deficiency keeping him from greatness. (he has been shooting his last two years) Due to how intelligent and skilled a player he is with and without the puck, during the strong majority of his ice time throughout his career he rarely puts himself in these negative situation, but when he did he had his troubles.

Then jansen gave him a late cheap shot.

This season, Kaberle came back the strongest physically he has ever been, you could see it with each passing battle, game in game out. His movements to corners and loose pucks have been bursts of force; it’s a strategic aggression new to his game. His fencing game has improved as his stick check is winning battles consistently now.

The other difference to this season was his exclusion from the PK team for the first time in a long time. While carrying a little more muscle mass then usual will take time getting used too, I am begining to think his removal from the PK may have had the most negative impact on his start and thus the growth of his season. Since he began his career with the Maple Leafs 9 years back, it became obvious that the second longest serving member of the team took a lot of pride in the Maple Leaf and put forth immense amounts of effort and skill to be great in every situation, otherwise he wouldn’t have made the impact he had being an average sized less aggressive defensemen.

For a player of Kaberles experience, more ice=confidence.

Playing along side a confident Kubina, Kaberle will be epic tonight and in moving forward.

JFJ - A positive look

Looking at the positives, more attention must be given to the assets JFJ has secured for this team, he has done a better job providing his coach with quality players, then he has done in securing his own job as GM with some questionable contracts. As a fan, this is the area of most concern, the dollars and cents shouldn’t concern anyone cause there are always ways to drop or eat a contact.

Kubina, the only cup winning defensemen is on the team is a leader in more ways then that. There is none better at picking the puck in our corner and turning it up ice, with a quick pass or a cross ice trap breaking pass. Pav is a big man to clear the net, block a shot, or just simply get in the way. His contract is constantly being ridiculed, however, he big, experienced, talented with the puck, great in his own end, and can eat up 30min a game when healthy. You would be hard pressed to find another player of that ilk, hence the 5 million. Pay less attention to the $$$ to points, and more to the value Kubina brings to the ice, this guy is a gem.

Hal Gill, in the penalty riddled NHL, this guy proves his worth every second he spends on the PK. His +/- lead the team last year and he may do the same this season. Gill has also added a great ability to move the puck this season. Although I am not aware if this was a talent he had in beantown, it only became evident to me in the last couple months of this season. It is another positive to another huge body on defense that plays excellent positional which makes up for his lack of speed. He is great with the poke check and clears the net well. He could be more aggressive, regardless; he is effective at his shutdown role.

The goalie situation has Vesa Toskala vs. Andrew Raycroft competing with themselves and each other for supremacy. While Raycroft had a horrible season last year, his troubles may have stemmed from being on a new club, being overused, having a poor team system in front, not to mention the many injuries. This season he has played much better with a better team, and will only improve if and when he gets the call. Vesa, is much more mature at 30 and experienced. Although he has not been a sole number 1 before, he has shown the confidence to take the role this season. He has been proactive in challenging his teammates to be better, and worked hard to communicate with his new team. Although he is small in stature, his speed and agility make up for that size. He has been phenomenal in tracking down dump ins and thus enables or D to safely exit the zone more often then not. The end result is two goalies with potential to get better.

Mark Bell, another big, dominant, aggressive forward that has talent with the puck as well. This type of player is of great importance in the new NHL, because there is really no way of keeping them from doing what they want. Bell has shown flashes of this brilliance when used on the top two lines, also able to play center, it provides the team with other options of how to utilize. I feel he is best served at W, but in limited time recently has been better at his defensive awareness at C in last few games. He is a player that has played no where near his potential, and will only continue to improve.

Devereaux and Kilger, those were two additions that were free, but as the season goes on, their value to the team only intensifies. Although both have had slower then expected starts to this season, both can prove to be valuable veterans on a rather young core. Now that the injuries have subsided, they are slotted in more appropriate roles. As for Boyd, a great addition to the team, a perfect skater with the great fore-check, has won a Cup, and enables that young duo of Stajan and Steen to work at full potential 5on5. The numbers will improve for this line, but its strengths will be in shutting down top lines. Kilger, it is tough to find anyone who works harder then Chad Kilger. Now slotted in the 4th line, he has still been able to put the puck in the net consistently. He adds an aggressive fore-check and bashes and crashes every chance he gets, a great role player with experience.

Blake, I know he was a defensive nightmare to start, but so were the Leafs. Offensively he does so much good for a team, like a pit-bull with his speed and ability to force turnovers in the offence zone Jason Blake gives and keeps puck possession to his linemates on almost every shift. He is fast with and without the puck, he is able to cut defences apart as a result, it’s a skill most NHLers don’t have, and it’s a skill VITAL to countering a trap. Although his shot selection hasn’t been the greatest, he is on a new team, there is a curve. The bottom line, goal or an assists, he has been apart of a consistent offensive contribution and enable the Leafs to obtain maximum puck possession.

Tulusty, this is obvious, any first round pick ready to play in the NHL a year later is a good pick.

Finally, resigning the likes of Antropov, it is an obvious move but some may have wavered due to some of the clowns in the acc.

27 Game Mark, The First Period of the Season is Over.

DEFENCE
It is clear to say, fans of the Toronto Maple Leafs have seen just about everything from this team, the only exception, winning consistently. This keeps me wondering if the Leafs should continue to be playing our best puck movers on D, rather then the guys that give us the best defensive presents in our own zone. The past two games say I am wrong, but we can not forget the stretch of 6 before that, the struggles to start the season, and where the Leafs failed last season. Only by continuing to win now and win consistently in the near future will waiting on the puck movers be a move that pays off.

In wake of the injury to Kubina, coaching has worked this 6 man unit into a 5 man rotation, and it has worked for the past two nights. Kronwall, being the 6th, Woz the 5th, playing only when the lines were rolling with no stoppages. That exhibits strong coaching.

Although on repeated occasions, the Defence have shown an inability to regain their 5on5 shape after a PK or PP. Intentionally or not, players jumping from the left to right side of D or vice versa during a game does take from a players comfort level, especially one that is fragile. It has cost the Leafs the game in Dallas, and has been the cause of confusion on each occurrence since.

With the depth this team has at forward and the successful puck possession it can generate, I can better understand why Maurice would want to use White, this team has played well pushing forward, rather then relying on sound defence. White has a good sense of when to take the puck from blueline to blueline, it draws penalties, and has been good way to access the zone with a good dump.

It will be interesting to say the least what changes will be made with the possible return of Kubina and Colaiacovo. That said, I feel more attention should be given to Kronwall, and his ability to do the same things White can do, and more. While bringing much to the table, White's consistant knock has come with an inability to step up and protect the defensive blueline, defensive zone coverage when hemmened in, pinning an oppenent in the corner, protecting the front of the net, and the inability to move the puck safely in the face of a strong pressured forcheck.

In the last game, it should be noted due to the incredible consistency in which it has continued to occur, in the final minutes of the 3rd, Malkin, exactly like Ilya Kovalchuk the night before, went right after White taking the blueline and the offensive zone to boot, it resulted in a penalty against and the Pens went on to make it a 1 goal game. In his limited time on the ice Kronwall was a thorn in Malkin’s side. Once off the rush with a quick poke check, and another shift with hard work and good marking behind the net.

FORWARDS
The Leaf forwards were again dominant for the third consecutive game; the return of the injured has solidified the depth. Since they started to roll, they never really put their D in any danger, so much of the game was played in the Pens zone, similarly to Thursday night in Atlanta and long ago, that 3-0 win vs Ottawa.

Due to injury, and continuing with the Maurice system, coaching has decided to stack as much talent into the top three lines. With the depth available to choose from, I feel that running 3 lines is a disservice to the team for couple reasons.

Sundin. While I am a firm believer that this guy has the power and strength to play as great as he is till 45 (think Salming), looking back to last season, Sundin’s goal drought showed what can happen when the captain is overused. This guy needs and the team need to be fresh and at their best year round, running 4 strong lines is the best way to do that.

Antropov. Stacking the lines means Nik will undoubtedly be on the top unit, thus taking him away from the center position. As good as he is to Sundin and the top unit, this guy is a talent that can play at both ends of the ice very well. His size, reach and smarts makes him a perfect fit to lineup against a top scoring line, to not only shut them out, but score a couple on them in the process. Antropov`s only knock has been with his lack of success with faceoff`s, however, since he began tying up sticks and kicking the puck back before going to the wing, I havnt seen Antropov lose a draw. Sundin is good enough to score on his own, its a long season that needs 4 strong lines.

You would have to think Maurice wants Bell at center, the coach revealed this diabolical plan again when shifting Bell’s role in the final period of the Penguins game. One could only hope it was done to continue to give timing and strength back to Poni’s injured muscle. Because putting Bell into a position that asks a tremendous amount of a player mentally, may not be what he needs after missing the first 15 games. He is that dominant a winger, and alongside Sundin would be a great fit.

Stajan, Steen and Devereaux. Easily the most improved line on the team. These three showed flashes of this brilliant last season, this year they have been able to showcase that same defensive talent while sustaining it for three full periods versus the opponents top line. So far Stajan has answered every critic and established himself as a key contributor to this team. Steen has shown a new dynamic to his game, his patient play in his own zone has handcuffed many offensive minds to create turnovers. Devo has been Devo, can you dig it?! This line along side an Antropov line would shut the offensive down of any strong 2 scoring line teams.


GOALTENDERS
I’ll be short and sweet. I fear that again Maurice has not learned from his mistakes of last season. Last year, he picked his guy from the start of the season and rolled with him. It didn’t work last year, early this season when Raycroft showed signs of life and comfort, not to mention better numbers then Toskala, he was shown the pine on more often then not. I was hoping to have both goalies at this point of the season rolling fairly along, this hasn’t been the case and as a result of the confidence shown in him by the coach only Toskala is left standing today.

Raycroft deserved a better chance from his coach to lead this team, especially after what was asked of him last season, taking on such a work load for the first time with a new team would be difficult to say the least. With Toskala playing well at the moment this does not pose a problem, but if needed, lets hope Raycroft is not ruined as a Leaf if called upon again.




MY LINEUP FOR GAME 28- sitting golds for this one


DEFENCE
15 - 24 (Offensively)
25 - 44 (Defensivly)
56 - 3 (Strategically)

PP
15 - 24 (whole 2min)
56 - 44 (if needed)

PK
25 - 44/53/ 3


FORWARDS
11 13 9
16 42 55
18 80 23
22 14 10

PP
80 13 23/9
16 42 55

PK
14 10
22 80/13/18


TENDER
1