Leafs in Trouble?
Hey everyone, I just joined HTR and here is my first article!
With the Leafs currently in a bit of a slump, I’ve decided to share my opinions on the team thus far.
I realize that every team goes into a slump, and Toronto is no different. I, however, feel that there are some issues that need to be resolved in order for the Leafs to get back on track.
1) Lack of an offensive system
Now I would like to start off by saying that Paul Maurice has done an excellent job so far this season. He has them doing a lot more on the ice then Quinn ever did.
The problem lies in the lack of a set offensive system. Sure Toronto is badly out-shooting its competition, but they are SEVERELY lacking in good scoring chances. Maurice needs to install a good style of fore-check. Just shooting the puck isn’t going to win games. If the last few games are any evidence, the teams are starting to clog up the middle and keeping the Leaf forwards to the outside.
Until the offense starts getting more scoring chances, I don’t see this team scoring too many points.
2) Lack of defensive responsibility
Maurice needs to make the players more accountable in they’re own zone. There are just too many defensive zone breakdowns by the forwards. It seems to me that there is no urgency from the players to get the puck out of the zone. They are just sitting back and waiting for the other team to make a mistake. A good defense should be forcing the play in they’re own zone and causing the mistakes.
The D-Men should also be careful about when and where to pinch in. There have been too many odd man rushes as a result of a defenseman pinching in and not getting back.
3) Constant line juggling
I understand that there comes a time where a coach needs to mix up the lines to see what works. The problem is is that Maurice is switching them up way too often. It seems every shift has a different line combination, and when they don’t score, he changes them up again.
New line combinations need time to mature. You can’t be changing them every shift because no one will be able to find chemistry with one another.
4) Mats Sundin
Mats is our leader, our captain. As it stands right now, he not producing. He is not playing with the same fire and intensity he was at the end of last season and up to when he hurt his elbow. Now I understand that his elbow is probably not 100% yet. If he is still hurt and not producing, then why is he still on the top line? It shouldnt matter if you are the best player on the team, if you are not producing then you should not be on the top line.
Here are the lines thjat I would use.
Poni — Wellwood — Antropov
Tucker — Sundin — Stajan
Kilger — Peca — Pohl
Battaglia — Steen — O’Neil
The line of Poni, Wellwood, Antropov were excellent in the absense of Sundin. Why not give them a chance again?
5) Wade Belak
Why in the world is he still around? Belak is terrible. You put a perfectly good D-Man on waivers (possibly losing Harrison) and you keep a pile like Belak? What purpose does he serve? Please don’t say he’s here for toughness and to fight. That BS! Belak is probably one of the worst fighters I have ever watched! He obviously can’t keep up with most of the forwards and is worse then McCabe in his own zone! Get rid of him now!
6) Goaltending
I want to start off by saying that I am firmly behind Raycroft as our #1! I do however believe that he needs a rest and Aubin needs to see some more action. Not every goalie can be a Luongo, a Kipprusoft, or a Brodeur and play 75 games a season.
Raycroft definitely needs a rest. He looks very burnt out and tired. I also don’t think that his groin is 100% yet. He doesn’t look as explosive as he did at the beginning of the season. It doesn’t matter how serious the groin strain was, its still a pain in the butt to come back from. A couple games rest will not only allow Raycroft to heal up and calm down, it will also allow Aubin to stay sharp.
Now to answer my question, I don’t believe that the Leafs are in trouble yet. A 3-4 game slide is nothing to worry about at this point in the season. If the slide continues and we keep seeing the same old Leafs every night, then we’re in for some fun….