Comments on: Leafs paying the price for mediocrity

By: mojo19

mojo19 — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 14:15:56 +0000

Berezin wasn't a great player but he definitely provided a ton of speed rushing down the wing and some scoring ability. That's where the compairison comes from I think.

By: leafy

leafy — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 19:07:10 +0000

I used to like Berezin's speed because it created havoc even if he didn't score. But it's true he was good only for a short period.

By: Nevyn

Nevyn — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 11:20:19 +0000

Berezin isn't the most encouraging comparison. Is this guy going to have only one offensive move, never pass and never backcheck?

Berezin had only one good season for the blue and white, and then the rest of the league figured out that he was going to fake going wide around the defenseman, then cut back inside and fire a wrist shot. Then 37 goals became less than 20.

I'm hoping this guy can provide some spark without being quite as one dimensional.

By: leafy

leafy — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 23:58:41 +0000

If he's another Berezin, that's great! I loved Berezin's game. Although he didn't have the same pure skill as Alex Mogilny, he had a good shot.....and I love players who shoot the puck.

For whatever reason, Berezin wasn't the same player after he left Toronto. But anyway, I hope the Leafs made a steal with Grabovski.

As for Finger, here's hoping he's another Silvain Lefebvre. Remember him? Fletcher stole him from Montreal. He was Toronto's most reliable D during those 2 great playoff runs in 1993 and 1994. If Al Coates says he's good, that's gotta mean something.

By: mojo19

mojo19 — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 23:12:28 +0000

Yes, his numbers are good at the AHL level, I was talking with Paul Hendricks tonight as he plays in my mens league (ASHL Oakville Thursday nights) and he said that Grabovski could be like what Berezin was for the Leafs and potentially put up over 30 goals. Maybe not this year, maybe not next year, but at some point. I think its a good pickup.

Hendricks also said that people should be more optimistic about Finger and that is was Ron Wilson and Al Coates NOT Cliff Fletcher who were pushing really hard to sign this guy. And they come from the Western conference and know him a lot better then we do.

By: leafy

leafy — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 21:46:55 +0000

Actually I wouldn't be shocked if Sundin re-signs with the Leafs. I might be the only one, but I think Sundin actually prefers to play on a non-playoff team, given his health issues. I'm telling you guys, he's hurting.

Just love the Finger puns. I'll bet we're going to see many of them in the papers this year.

By: leafy

leafy — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 21:43:05 +0000

I was under the impression he's going to be released by September. I could be wrong, I'll have to check that.

By: leafy

leafy — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 21:41:09 +0000

If that happens, I'll be 98 years old. Actually I think I'll take that.

By: leafy

leafy — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 21:40:04 +0000

Very interesting. Sometimes these pick-ups turn into gems.

By: leafy

leafy — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 21:38:56 +0000

Good points. I feel the same way. I'll reserve judgment until I see them play....(although on the surface, some of the signings look suspect).

Some examples:

When we signed Moore last year, I said, "here we go again". But then when he actually played, he looked pretty darn good.

At the other extreme, the Leafs traded for Khavanov 3 years ago. As soon as we saw him play, one could see he was a dog with fleas.

Point being you have to watch these guys to find out ultimately if they were good pickups.