Pre-Season Review Season Line-up
Pre-Season Review
Record: 3-4-1
The Leafs seemed to struggle still 5 on 5. The signings of Kubina, Gill and Peca was supposed to improve Toronto’s even strength play, yet it seems this isn’t the case.
O’Neill had an average camp and it seems that he has played his last game with the Toronto Maple Leafs after being scratched for the last two preseasons games vs. Detriot. He will more than likely be placed on waivers. Will another team take a chance with the struggling forward? If he does clear waivers he wont report to the Marlies.
Nik Antropov, who many fans believed he will quiet possibly breakout this year with a great end to the 05/06 season, has stuggled in the preseason and will probably find himself on the third line.
The Gill signing seems like a bigger mistake than than I had thought. He is horribly slow… slower than Allison! Other Leaf players who struggled during the preseason: Stajan, Steen & Kilger. Stajan played every single preseason game and struggled in the first couple games but did improve in the most recent games. Steen only accounted for one point in 4 preseason games.
Peca has fit in really well. He’s been playing really strong as the Leafs second line center thus far. Other players who have played well: Suglobov, Pohl, Wozniewski, Battaglia and Ponikarovsky. If the preseason is any indication of how Ponikarovsky will perform this year, he’ll easily improve on his 05/06 point total. Wozniewski along with pohl and suglobov have been the biggest surprises. They played their way onto the team… Suglobov is one of the reasons O’Neill is likely hitting the road.
Wellwood, Ponikarovsky and Sundin seem to have developed some chemistry and it seems like Maurice will likely stick with this unit for the opening game against Ottawa Senators.
Aubin was the best goaltender out of the three battling for jobs in the preseason, though Raycroft showed some flashes of excellence. Tellqvist has lost his job and will likely be picked off of waivers or traded.
Like last year, the leafs have useless players who I consider dead weight and a waste of salary cap. The list includes Gill, O’Neill, Tellqvist & Antropov.
Some suggestions:
Tellqvist to Philadephia for a mid-round pick. Philly is in need of a cheap goaltender.
place O’Neill on waivers.
Antropov to Carolina for mid-round pick. Stillman is out for the beginning of the regular season
Gill to whoever!
Season Opening Line-up
Wellwood – Sundin – Ponikarovsky
Steen – Peca – Tucker
Kilger – Stajan – Suglobov
Battaglia – Pohl – Antropov
Scratches: Belak
Kaberle – McCabe
Kubina – Wozniewski
Gill – White
Scratches: Harrison
Injuries: Kronwall, Colaiacovo & Bell
Raycroft
Aubin
Scratches: Tellqvist