Leafs: October game thread discussion

[Avenger]

laughs coming down to earth once their 4th liners stoped providing fluky goals, who didn't see this coming?

[J Dilla]

Ponikarovsky and Antropov were given the **** treatment just like how Kaberle is right now. Its simply because these were not Burke's players.

The only thing good that Grabvoski can do is skate.

I like Kulemin, but I think Wilson just killed what he had going with Bozak and Kessel. Vesteeg did not deserve to be in the 1st line.

I always thought Phaneuf was vastly overrated when he was traded to Toronto. I mean, when this guy was traded here, all these sports stations had live orgies for weeks on how good this guy was and how much of a steal he was. He's an overpaid floater, but we're only a few games in. Gotta give it 10-20 more games to see where we're at.

[Crowned]

To think that Kulemin should be contributing offensively is wrong. Yes, he's a 20 goal scorer, and he'll score 20 goals this season. What he is, is a 2nd line- two way player. You can count on him defensively, and to make the smart play. He plays his role really well, and it's certainly not his fault the Leafs need to rely on him on the first line to contribute goals. He's one of my favourite Leafs, he's solid.

Regarding Versteeg, he's naturally very streaky. Again, we shouldn't be counting on him on the first line. He's not a first line player, he's a second line winger. I'm more than comfortable putting him on the 2nd line, and letting him do what he needs to do. Same with Bozak, he's NOT a first line center, he's well suited on the 2nd line.

We simply need another top line player to feed Kessel effectively, and to chip in when needed. Picking up someone like Brad Boyes, Brad Richards, or even Jeff Carter would be a wise decision.

Ending up with a lineup of;

Versteeg- Brad Richards/Jeff Carter-Brad Boyes- Kessel
Kulemin-Bozak-MacArthur
Armstrong-Grabovski-Sjostrom
Brown-Zigomanis-Orr

Would be leading into the right direction next season, and heading forward where we can make appropriate moves i.e- acquiring a 3rd line center, moving Kadri up, acquiring a 2nd line winger, etc

[darth_federer]

My guess is that Grabovski will be moved. Burke wants guys who are either top 6 or bottom 6. He doesnt like guys who are a mix of both.

[Crowned]

I don't think he'll be moved. He'll likely walk after the season is over. I couldn't see anyone giving up anything of value for him.

[Crowned]

Versteeg was another big blunder. He does nothing game after game. And I'm sure Stalberg is better than him and doing better than him.

Sorry, just had to comment on this. Have you seen Stalberg play lately? Just because a player has size and speed, doesn't mean he's effective. The way he plays (with his tunnel vision type mentality), he won't last long in the league because of injuries from getting hit.

Other than Dido, we really didn't give up much for Versteeg. I like Dido, but he'll be nothing more than a 3rd line player.

[ablatt]

Grabowski, Versteeg, Bozak etc. are 3rd or 4th line players on a good team. If Versteeg is streaky then I expect 10 goals from him in the next 10 games.

[YogiStewart]

we've flipped the calendar to a new month, so let's pick it up in the November thread.