i know, i read it. You're entire article is the exact opposite of your title. Its why dont you just put a question mark at the end of it?
- the_cause2000

I was trying to play with the emotions of a number of fans who feel that the Leafs are doomed without their centermen...

i know, i read it. You're entire article is the exact opposite of your title. Its why dont you just put a question mark at the end of it?
- the_cause2000

Hits man, it's all about the (frank)ing hits.

the team simply can't start relying too heavily on Jon Bernier and or James Reimer to steal games


.....thats what they have been doing since puck drop. Put Toskala in net and they are still searching for their second win.
- Barx

so would the other 29 teams in the league.....

the team simply can't start relying too heavily on Jon Bernier and or James Reimer to steal games


.....thats what they have been doing since puck drop. Put Toskala in net and they are still searching for their second win.
- Barx

And that's just it...while a nice thing to have, the Leafs will need to tighten up their defensive play some more so they dont have to continue to rely on their tenders. Its nice to have your goalie steal a game or two...but sometimes you need to make their jobs easy, too.

I think if the Leafs can shore up the defensive team game the C thing might not matter too much. It's not like they lost Bernier and Reimer. They lost players in the teams weakest position - plugging in players to fill a position that isn't a strength shouldn't be that huge an issue.

I say try out what you've got laying about for a couple of games - if that doesn't work then maybe look for a trade but don't jump on the panic button just yet. Bozak is easily one of the worst #1 C's in the league (he hasn't even been that great in the dot this year so far) - and it's not that I don't like him - I just don't like him as the Leafs 1C.

While Bolland has been awesome this year - McClement is a more than capable #3 C. Kardi or JVR #1 and #2, McClement #3, Smith #4 and roll with it....no big woop. Put Jay McClement out for important face-offs and have him switch after the draw.

do we have pie here?

do we have pie here?
- bobbyisno1

Only cherry

do we have pie here?
- bobbyisno1

Yes...apple..so i guess u can move on....hater

I was trying to play with the emotions of a number of fans who feel that the Leafs are doomed without their centermen...
- Colin_Dambrauskas

Gotcha

Just as my own personal feedback - the title distracted me from an otherwise good read. I started reading it and kept waiting for the punchline, only to conclude that the Leafs are doing ok

If they do try JVR at centre in a game, why is he automatically going to centre the top line?

One of the extra responsibilities of a centre is to be more defensively aware and help both the D and wingers out in your own zone. Since he has never played the position at the NHL level, I would be trying him out on a line with more defensively responsible players.

Really don't think he should be handed no 1 C role just because he as chemistry with Kessel.

Gotcha

Just as my own personal feedback - the title distracted me from an otherwise good read. I started reading it and kept waiting for the punchline, only to conclude that the Leafs are doing ok
- the_cause2000

I agree...that was a dirty rotten trick...

Only cherry
- Yeti1181

I think if the Leafs can shore up the defensive team game the C thing might not matter too much. It's not like they lost Bernier and Reimer. They lost players in the teams weakest position - plugging in players to fill a position that isn't a strength shouldn't be that huge an issue.

I say try out what you've got laying about for a couple of games - if that doesn't work then maybe look for a trade but don't jump on the panic button just yet. Bozak is easily one of the worst #1 C's in the league (he hasn't even been that great in the dot this year so far) - and it's not that I don't like him - I just don't like him as the Leafs 1C.

While Bolland has been awesome this year - McClement is a more than capable #3 C. Kardi or JVR #1 and #2, McClement #3, Smith #4 and roll with it....no big woop. Put Jay McClement out for important face-offs and have him switch after the draw.
- BlowMonkey

it's their weakest position, they should be looking for a trade all year long

Yes...apple..so i guess u can move on....hater
- Fruitcakenipple

Not fan of apple, American pie ruined it for me.

Yes...apple..so i guess u can move on....hater
- Fruitcakenipple

wtf?

it's their weakest position, they should be looking for a trade all year long
- bobbyisno1

agreed but it doesn't have to be a panic trade during a time of desperation - other GM's will rake the Leafs over the coals if they try and make a trade now. Too early to panic.

If they do try JVR at centre in a game, why is he automatically going to centre the top line?

One of the extra responsibilities of a centre is to be more defensively aware and help both the D and wingers out in your own zone. Since he has never played the position at the NHL level, I would be trying him out on a line with more defensively responsible players.

Really don't think he should be handed no 1 C role just because he as chemistry with Kessel.
- vermie22

Yea, why would the Leafs ever do something like that?

But JVR is pretty good defensively, and sees almost 3 minutes a night on the PK.

In times of injury it is absolutley crucial for the leaders on the team to step up and play some hard-nose hockey. The Leafs have used their speed to defeat teams this year, but i think we will start seeing them use their size now. They need to intimidate. Leafs should challenge their opponents right of the bat to show that this is how they are going to play. Play Orr and McLaren a ton early on to establish physical superiority and crash and bang to get the crowd into it. Im not trying to say i want more Leafs getting injured but now is as crucial time to win as any. Teams will be looking to take advantage of Toronto's short comings for the next little while. We all have confidence in Bernier and Reimer, and in our top line to produce. But its line 2 and 3 and a couple defenders that is our weakest link. I think it would be a bad move to break up the top line unless they want to put Lupul up there because we will need the scoring. There will be more goals in our net no doubt so the more our top line scores the better. I just hope Carlyle manages this situation well.

- Dozzer

Teenage Czech hockey hertl, hertl in a Half jersey

wtf?
- bobbyisno1

So now u pretending u dont hate apple pie...Nice job at trying to fit in with the crowd...

Teenage Czech hockey hertl, hertl in a Half jersey
- Yeti1181

say that 10x fast

say that 10x fast
- Dozzer

I was going to write the whole song but then I got high.

I opened with:

Shortly following the announcement of the suspension, many felt that the Leafs would struggle to win many games without the agitator in the lineup, in addition to missing forwards Nikolai Kulemin and Frazer McLaren, and defenseman Mark Fraser.

Well, despite the feeling that the Leafs may get off to a slow start without said players, the team went 7-3 during their first ten games played – not bad, if you ask me. Since the return of Clarkson, Toronto has experienced even more injuries with a few close calls to Joffrey Lupul, and most recently Tyler Bozak and Dave Bolland both being placed on the injured reserved. Chaos once again for the Buds…right?

And closed with:

To conclude, while it appears that the Toronto Maple Leafs are in for some troubling times over the next month or so after suffering more injuries, I feel with the right coaching and team effort that they should be able to battle through this challenge as they did to start off the year.
- Colin_Dambrauskas

To me (I'm not sure if this is his point or not), losing two centers (your first line and 3rd line) is a bigger hole to fill than losing Lupul and Clarkson. It may sound crazy, but center is the most important forward position, obviously.

The Leafs are already weak down the middle, whereas they are solid on the wing. Losing a couple wingers isn't as big of a deal as losing your #1 and #3 centers.

It may not be about scoring as much as it is keeping pucks out of your own net. Faceoffs are an obvious one, but they've also lost two of their penalty killing forwards. Most teams use 6 that they cycle so that means they will have to find another two guys to step up.

As an non Leaf fan, I don't think the situation is dire, but losing Bozak and Bolland for an extended period of time is much worse than losing Lupul for a few games and Clarkson for 10.

On the bright side, the Leafs have a very soft schedule for November. Outside the Boston and Pitts games, they have pretty much all average to bad teams for the rest of the month.