Comments on: Nonis: Teams have inquired about Connolly

By: mojo19

mojo19 — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 05:04:31 +0000

I like it as a 3rd line. Not as 2nd like they’ve been the last couple of years.

By: leafmeister

leafmeister — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 22:06:01 +0000

Yeah its not an ideal 3rd line, but Grabo and Mac aren’t too bad defensively, and Kule is a defensive ace. They also have proven offensive potential.

I wonder if Grabo can be moved. Maybe if Anaheim loses Getzlaf they might want him. Burke was a big fan and clearly thinks he was worth 5.5 mil. I don’t dislike him, but I think Kadri, given his age and upside, is a far better option for 2nd line center.

By: doorman

doorman — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 21:04:03 +0000

I am not saying guys won’t have to earn time. However a lot of old school guys also don’t believe players lose spots from injuries. I am not saying I am right, like I said just a hunch

By: leafy

leafy — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 20:55:54 +0000

I like the 1st and 2nd line, and even the 4th line.

I hate the 3rd line.

By: leafmeister

leafmeister — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 20:36:28 +0000

Well I doubt he gets his spot back right away. Carlyle is all about having the guys earn their spots, and while is guaranteed a top 6 spot, I think it will be 2nd line. I think it should be with Kadri and Frattin, but it could be with Kulemin and Grabo.

If JVR and Kessel continue this production I see no reason to break them up. JVR can skate with Kessel, and is probably better at going to the dirty areas looking for tips. With Kessel that is essential because of how much attention the goalies have to pay to his shot.

Lupul can go to the dirty areas, but I think he is more of a sniper. He could be money with Kadri. Also, Kadri’s play should be rewarded with better linemates and more ice time.

By: doorman

doorman — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 19:47:45 +0000

I think Lupul gets his spot back, call it a hunch. He and kessel have chemistry as well and I think carlyle will want him to be confident. As for the dmen, i think you can add Fraser to that list. The guy is tuff as nails and hasn’t been a liability, Carlyle will want that pressence back there, IMO.

By: leafmeister

leafmeister — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 18:33:25 +0000

When everyone comes back there is gonna be a bit of an issue in regards to where Lupul plays. Carlyle addressed it after the game, and I was thinking about possible combinations.

JVR – Bozak – Kessel
Lupul – Kadri – Frattin
MacAthur – Grabovski – Kulemin
Komarov – McClement – McClaren

Phaneuf – Gunnarsson
Gardiner – Franson
Holzer – Fraser
Kostka

Reimer
Scrivins

I think Grabovski is bound to heat up somewhat, and reuniting that once productive line could do it. I think Kadri and Frattin should be rewarded with more ice time and they could make a dangerous combination with Lupul. As it stands now, there is no reason to break up JVR, Bozak and Kessel.

The Leafs have so many defensemen. Not that it is a bad thing. With such a shortened season being able to throw out fresh bodies occasionally is a real advantage. They could have the above pairing in one game of a back to back, and then throw out

Gardiner – Franson (who doesn’t wanna se Cody get more ice time?)
Phaneuf – Holzer
Liles – Komisarek
Gunnarsson

I think Phaneuf, Franson and Gardiner (once he is back) are gonna play every night, but Phaneuf doesn’t always have to play 25+ minutes. They have good depth, they should use it.

Having two hot goalies is also a big advantage. Lets hope they can keep it up. I think as long as the skaters keep buying into Carlyle’s system the goalies should be alright.

By: doorman

doorman — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 14:49:12 +0000

I am pretty sure Phil’s agent gave him a few million reasons to think about being a complete player and what it would mean, lol. But yay I guess that Wilson was kept was a blessing in disguise. It gave eakins more time to work with him and develop and gave Ana. time to fire carlyle for us, lol.

By: realistic_leafs_fan

realistic_leafs_fan — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 13:41:09 +0000

Yea, Kadri is playing a full game. We can blame Burke and Wilson for not playing Kadri, or in Wilson’s case, hurting his development but it is Kadri’s responsibility to play both sides of the puck with passion and commitment. I am glad to see him buying in and playing hard under Carlysle. He is turning into a good player.
Kessel has impressed me more and more as the season goes on. He too, is rounding into a more well balanced player. I would much rather have Phil score 30 and be well balanced then score 40 and be a one dimensional player(which he was). I hope he does work on his conditioning because he has the talent to be a super-star instead of a sniper. I agree, Just because he can skate like the wind, doesn’t mean he’s in good shape. If he can continue to show he is evolving as a player I have no problem giving him his $6-$6.5mil a year. If he falls back to his old ways, then no.

By: doorman

doorman — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 13:26:12 +0000

I don’t really care that Kadri is drafted where he should’ve been, not to sound rude. I care that he appears to rounded out his game and bought into being a better all around player. Same goes for Kessel, though it is going to be hard for him to knock the mantra of being a pure sniper. I don’t like how he looks winded so much still, but he has impressed me. I must saying seeing him buy in also makes me much more hopeful of a resign. That they are playing as a team and for each other in a structured enviroment has me optimistically hopeful they can keep it up.