Montréal versus Toronto

The history continues, and the Saturday Night tradition lives on. I will be looking forward to hearing Canadian Gold win the HNIC song challenge, I have been singing that tune all day in my head and it works to get chills down my spine as I think about the battle that lies ahead tonight.

Montreal played last night, and from what I hear, they will be resting Price and Higgins is nursing an injury. It looks as though Montreal is trying to use the Leafs trick in lowering expectations as they sure as hell know they are going to have a battle on their hands tonight.

If the Leafs play the way they did versus the Red Wings of Detroit, they should be able to stymie this D trapping Montreal team. Toronto is now able to match Montréal’s speed, however, the Toronto defense is much stronger and more efficient in their own zone. They will have to be as Montreal has added more scoring to its forward lines and top PP.


Here is the breakdown leading up to tonight.

Antropov to center Ponikarovsky and Blake

Played a solid game, and as Don Cherry noted, they were magnificent in executing the 1-2-2. Antropov was able to pick up many loose pucks as a result of hard and fast fore-checking from both Blake and Poni. It was rare if it happened at all to see this line hemmed in their own zone, they had all the pressure, and in the second half of the game, most notably in the third, this trap began to create scoring chances. The goals will come eventually, but this line is effectively focusing on their defensive game as they know they we be matched against some other top lines and it is the best way to create.


Grabovski to center Hagman and Tlusty

Another good game from this line too. I got to learn a little bit more about Grabovski as he danced around the ice Thursday night. The claim that he is suspect in his own zone is now much clearer to me as a result. In terms of marking his man and staying with his check, Grabovski is very capable, and on two separate occasions was in the right spot to prevent his man from an offensive chance, where he may be suspect is in his desire to stickhandle and deak deep in his own zone, or on his own blueline. This is a difficult problem to correct, as he is very capable of using his trickery in these situations to flew the zone, as he wonderfully shown us during I believe it was his second or third shift on the first period. That said, he did get caught once later in the game. The problem of telling him not to do it may limit his game by limited his talents, though he does need to be aware of when and where he should take these chances. Tlusty was strong as he learns more about his new teammates, he will get better. Hagman was arguably the best player on the ice Thursday night. He was everywhere, he was fast and he was strong. Hagman was winning pucks all over the ice and pushing it up to his two young speedy line mates. Look for more of the same.


Moore to center Steen and Kulemin

Easily the best line on the ice for both teams. I can not remember this line being in their own end at all versus the Wings. They were so effective on the fore-check and in the neutral zone that they obtained puck control every time they stepped over the boards. It was fun to watch a speedy Moore step around Lidstrom during a rush. It was even better watching Steen pressure pucks with success to bring about a strong cycle game down low. Most impressive was the incredible goal scored by Kulemin, a star was born.


Stajan to center Mayers and Mitchell

Stajan was a little disappointing. It is obvious that he is upset at playing a 4th line role, his body language screamed it all over the ice. Little did he know he would get many scoring chances and plenty of time to prove himself that night. Although he just was not into the game. He missed a glorious chance in front on one shift, then again with his second. I was delighted to see that when he did miss the second chance and the puck went quickly the other way, he got on his horse and cleverly lifted the Wings stick to take away a clear scoring chance, that is the Stajan I know and need to see more of if he want to convince me that his should be there over Mark Bell. Stajan too gave a half assed block shot effort by simply lifting his leg; he should have been sprawled out in that shooting lane, another example of how Stajan was not himself. Mayers was good if we can forget about that last penalty he took, but even he looked a little bit nervous, it understandable coming to a new team, especially if that team is your hometown Leafs. Mitchell was strong along the boards, and was effective in his dump-ins and sustained pressure in the offensive zone.


Kubina – Colaiacovo

Kubina was perfect, a true D stud out there. Colaiacovo however was a bit shaky. I will give him the benefit of the doubt because I cannot remember seeing him play that ancy before. He was caught out of position of the first draw and I think it got him thinking too much. He had difficulty tying up Holmstrom, but the Wing winger is one of the best in the NHL at standing in front. This is the first time Carlo has ever been in the line-up on the hot seat. He has pressure coming at him from all sides, he knows his spot in not a given and it along with being matched against the other teams top lines will take some getting used to. Late in the game, I seen him use his diving poke check, I was assured that he will come out of this game and get better.


Kaberle – Schenn
Kaberle Perfect. Schenn looked real good too. He fell one shift after he got his first real look at NHL speed while the Wings were down 2 and putting the pressure on. He also had trouble on tying up Holmstrom, but it was the PK, and his positioning will improve against that top flight big wingers.


Van Ryn – Frogren

Hagman was great, Moore was great, but both players showed sparks of that in pre-season. Van Ryn was outstanding versus the wings after not really showing much in the season that doesn’t count. I was astonished in how fast Van Ryn does everything, he is such a smooth skater and with his size he is everywhere on that ice. Easily, Van Ryn was my best surprise of the night, highlighted during his second unit power play work. After the first unit struggled to penetrate the zone due to the Red Wings strong trap, Van Ryn jumped over the boards and took the puck end to end with blazing speed to gain the zone and set of the power play. The guy is fast, the guy is skilled, he’s a player. Frogren was strong too; he set the tone and let everyone around the NHL know exactly just who he is when he flattened the Wings forward in the first period. Strong play in front of his net, not to mention a skilled move to keep the puck in the offensive zone and throwing it on net to earn an assist. It was a great night for the Leafs.


Toskala

Was just what he needed to be. Both goals against, one on the PP occurred with heavy traffic in front, the Leafs D need to improve on clearing traffic, or at least now allow the puck to get through when the keeper can’t see it. Other then that Toskala had an almost perfect game, he was fast going post to post, and trapping dump-ins, his glove and blocker were quick too.

ONE MORE SLEEP

ONE MORE SLEEP


Then the season begins.

Its been a long summer, and nothing could be more fitting then starting off the season in Hockeytown USA, the home to one the most successful franchises in the last decade, the defending Cup Champions, the Detriot Red Wings to see their Stanley Cup banner be raised to the rafters.

This is an appropriate launch for the Maple Leafs new young blood, for their players, coaches, right up to their system. Three years removed from a chance to even compete for it, this is a team that couldn’t be further from the prize named Lord Stanley`s Cup. This is a Maple Leafs team isolated from scoring depth, a Maple Leafs team with zero expectations, a Maple Leafs team that is projected to draft in the top 5.

With all that said, when the banner is raised, and the puck is dropped, the reality is the Leafs will be par with the Wings. A new journey will have begun despite how far away the Leafs may seem to be, and this is reason why the games are played, for some players it is to justify what should happen, while for others, it the opportunity to prove them all wrong.

For me, it is watching a young Leafs team get better with each game, it is believing in the talent that has showcased itself despite what coaching and management have done to it over the last three years. It is about watching players such as Kaberle, Antropov and Colaiacovo grow to be even greater talents then what was perceived of them the first day they put on the blue and white. Its about players like Kubina, Hagman and Toskala who have joined the team, adding much needed stability, experience and winning mindsets. Its about Luke Schenn beginning his career as a Leaf. It is about Steen, taking his game to a new level. It will be about the attention to detail and what the new coaching staff will bring to the table, although I am disappointed with the loss of both Kronwall and Bell, I know this team can still be competitive, and while the line-up matures with each game, convincing the doubters will be a daily occurrence, as is the norm in Toronto.


Here is a look at the opening line-up

Antropov to center Ponikarovsky and Blake
Couldn’t have put it together better myself, this is identical to the top line I have constructed at the start of preseason. Antropov provides the size and smarts up the middle; he is capable of playing at both ends of the ice, and against top lines. He will need to improve his face-offs, but will be tough to handle for any center in the league. What Antropov lacks in speed will be made up by both Blake and Poni. Ponikarovsky has the skill set of his idle growing up Pavel Bure, speed and a wickedly quick accurate shot. Utilizing these traits while attempting to play a big mans game doesn’t always translate very well on the ice, hence, Alexi has struggled with consistency. Leaving Poni on Antropov`s wing all year will give him that comfort level, and hopefully allow him to be himself and use the gifts he has been given without having to be forced to go out of his way to get his nose dirty. Jason Blake, the pit-bull that chases down, and wins pucks all over the ice that I talked about all last year is back, and you can see it in his NECK. The guy is in great shape and has come to camp with nothing to think about but his game and the Leafs team. He is one of Wilson’s guys already, and he will be leaned on heavily by both his coach and teammates. This line can score, it is big, it is fast, it can check and play D, it is experience and it is the line that will help carry this team.


Grabovski to center Hagman and Tlusty

Speed, speed and more speed. Grabovski has turned some heads fast in his short pro career. He was the talk of Hamilton, scoring at will while at the same time desperately wanting to leave Montreal. It was never his desire to play for the Canadians, which, along with his speed, incredible skill, and daft touch around the net was what made me intriguingly happy when the Leafs signed his name to a contract. Watching this wiry strong player excel in preseason gives me even more hope that he could that permanent second line center that will replace a spot that a Wellwood from 2 years ago would have had. Grabovski has been knocked to be a bit suspect in his own zone, which is why you pair him up with one of the best two way players in the game Nik Hagman. This is a player who knows his defensive responsibility and has proven it over the years. This season will be a bigger challenge with Toronto only now acquiring a strong defensive system that Dallas had been entrenched in. Not only that, but Hagman will be looked upon to add even more offence and points to his 27 goals he got last year, as he will be the experience which will shoulder a young duo. The second of which being Juri Tlusty. The Leafs young first rounder from 2 years ago came in to camp a big 209lbs. This extra bulk will give Juri the confidence he needs to fend off opponents in the danger areas on the ice. He already has a nose for the net with a seeing eyed shot to go along with his excellent hockey sense and defensive responsibility. This is a project line, a line that will look to grow and get better with each shift, they have the talent to score and the smarts to defend, their greatest asset is speed, it will be a fun line to watch, success is destine, the only question is how long will it take.


Moore to center Steen and Kulemin

The Sleeper Line. A much underrated trio that could potentially outscore its opposition’s top line, how so? With defence. Moore is undoubtedly the best story to come out of training camp. A player that was left for dead on the waiver wire that was boldly picked up by former GM John Ferguson. It was a move that paid immediate dividends as soon as number 19 laced them up for the blue and white. Moore is a defensively sound center that has learned his craft under the helm of arguably the best defensive coach in the NHL, Jacques Lemaire. This talent along with speed was brought to the Leafs line-up, and it will play an important role on our shut down line. This camp he came in stronger and faster then most of the rest, a testament to him and his desire. To go along with the incredibly intelligent Moore, is the incredibly intelligent Steen. Both players obtain a keen hockey sense that allows them to be a step ahead of the game; this skill will be used to stymie each an every opponent faced. Steen has come full circle, while I would have liked him to play center, the play and shape of Moore and Grabovski, has enabled the Leafs to utilize him at wing, something that couldn’t be done with the first two. The versatility in Steen’s game goes hand in hand with being able to attack and conquer every task the coaches have, and this year the task will be to shut down the other, rather then score himself, as task that I feel he is better accustom too, and has the genes to be one of the best at it. Kuelimin, the jury is out on his NHL game, but only because he hasn’t seen enough yet, and arguably that the preseason’s pace was just too slow. Kuelimin is fire on ice, he has tremendous wheels that is complimented by an aggressive fore-check and strong game on the wall. He has shown flashes of offensive talent in pre-season, but that part of his game will round out as his experience grows playing the NHL game. What will get him there is his hard work utilizing the skills I mentioned above, this guy will be a scorer in the second half of the season if not sooner. As for now his talents will round out what will be a fast, aggressive, skilled checking line that will have sound positioning while obtaining puck position as a means of keeping the oppositions best on their heels.


Stajan to center Mayers and Mitchell.

Heart line. Where skill is lacking, heart will be what keeps this line aggressive and competitive. Stajan, has got so much to prove, while he is not as good as what was hoped in Leafs land, he has tremendous heart and love for the Maple Leaf. As a result, this guy has and will lie down in front of any shot, stick his face in any scrum, and take the beatings in front of the net. He must work on his face-offs, strength, and skill to go along with his desire and excellent work down low and of coarse his PK. Mayers will help Stajan do all those things and more, a proficient penalty killer himself, Mayers will go into the corners and come out with the puck and an opponent on his back. He is a mucker, who will do whatever is needed for this team to gain respectability. Another hometown boy living out his dream, Mayers is the fourth line leader that will ensure that from top to bottom, all lines are equal in their effort and accomplishment. Mitchell, he is another great story out of camp, and one of the best surprises to emerge to the forefront. Jon Mitchell has the skill that this line lack, he just lacks the experience to allow it to thrive, he will get better each game as he has filled out to be a strong big player, it is that size that will allow this actual center to good things as a W. He will be force into playing his best game ever as his dream of finally making it to the NHL comes true, as Ryan Hollweg will no doubt be knocking on his door following his suspension.


Kubina - Colaiacovo

It is quite easily the best all around defensive pairing on the roster. Both players are highly skilled at both ends of the ice; there are no forwards they couldn’t defend, and no fore-check that can hem them in. They are both big, strong with equally soft hands, at full potential, there is nothing they cant do.


Kaberle - Schenn

Back to the future. It wasn’t long ago that Tomas joined the team as a fresh faced 20 year old. In true great fashion, it is now Kaberle who will be leading the way for the next coming of Leafs Defence. With that in mind, you couldn’t have asked for a better compliment to a player with the offensive gifts that Kaberle has. Poetry on ice, the Leafs long-time defender has added experience, leadership and defensive to his game that will only help a young Schenn, knowing his D pairing will be mistake free will enable Schenn to play his game at a high level. So far Schenn’s high level has for the most part been strong, has had sound positioning, and has not been afraid to play his game. He is a marvel to watch, after seeing one of his first games in Kitchener at the Leafs rookie camp, watching Luke read the game while adapting and getting better each shift has carried on right through training camp. It will be fun to watch as he faces his first real test on Thursday, if his progress continues; and shuts down the Wings, Habs and Pens, he won’t be captaining Canada’s Juniors, he will be on his way to becoming the captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Those are tough goals for any player, let alone an 18 year old, but that is what it is going to take to keep Finger as a 5 – 6 D when he returns from a bruised foot.


Van Ryn - Frogren

The Wild Cards. Both have had tremendous amounts of success in there past. Van Ryn in Florida, proudly quarterbacking a successful power play while putting up great numbers and even more impressive plus minus. He has shown sparks of this brilliance and will be looking to add another offensively skilled puck mover to the Leafs line-up. He has the tools, but will it be enough to shake off the rust of a lengthy injury. Frogren, he is as mean as they come, rough and tough while entering the Leafs zone, rough and tough along the board, rough and tough behind the net, and do not bother standing in front, because froggy is gonna jump you. Frogren adds an element that has for some time been lacking from the Toronto Maple Leafs line-up, sandpaper on D. This guy is going to get his nose dirty, he is going to block shots, and he is going to be a wall that will crush before being crushed.


Toskala

If the boys do what needs to be done under Wilson, Hunter and Zettler, Toskala will know where the shots are coming from, if they come. Toskala will then be solid and showcase the confidence and results that he was able to obtain during his tenure in San Jose. While the W column may not be as high, this team can still win and Vesa and strong numbers will help them do so.



Let the games begin.