Recently I've noticed that hardly anybody blogs about the leafs. So, with a little hope stored up from this recent success we've been having I thought I might toss my hat into the "real blog" arena. I'm relatively new at this, so act like a college girl at mardi gras and bare with me.
Another thing I've noticed is nobody seems to have any suggestions as to what the leafs lineup should look like and what changes should be made, so wait no further. I present my
TOTAL ROSTER ANALYSIS.
kk guys i know you's excited so we will start in net and unwellwood (work out).
I'll present my thoughts on each player and close with who I would keep and who I would show the door. Maybe some dream additions if I feel like it, you'll just have to read and see.
Weathered Warriors of the Webbed Wickets
(I miss the pre-game alliterations I don't know about you)
Vesa Toskala:
I think it goes without saying, Vesa is to the Leafs what Roy Halladay is the to the Jays. You disagree? Well you caught me, Vesa has struggled mightily and publicly in Toronto. He won many fans over, when he first stepped onto the scene, with his moderately successful strategy of being "not Andrew Raycroft" but has slid downhill considerably and is now lumped into the same, ill-conceived acquisition, category as his predecessor. Vesa is too small to stop pucks by accident, hasn't shown fantastic positioning and hasn't played with much confidence lately, leading many a leaf fan to call for his head. Vesa's contract ($4 mill) expires this season and it would be a shock if he were brought back.
Jonas Gustavsson:
Entering the 09/10 season the hockey world knew there would be many changes made to the Toronto team, perhaps the most interesting new piece added to the mix was highly touted goaltender Jonas "MONSTER" Gustavsson. In limited action this season the young keeper has shown promise and at 24 years old the swede has looked strong in his first taste of NHL hockey, albeit with some kinks in his game that will require the magic of goalie coach Francois Allaire. The monster's size and style of play has led me to think (hopefully) of Gustavsson as having the potential to become a "Swedish Ryan Miller". This is obviously my homerism shining through but as far as beacons of hope go, this kid is burning brightly. Gustavsson has missed some time with a recurring minor heart problem and a related groin problem but has been consistent in his play when called upon and has shown progress in the short time he's been here (see: puck handling). Going forward the Leafs will surely look to hold onto this guy as he's as blue as the chips get when it comes to goaltending prospects (see: Pogge to the USHL).
Joey "Joe Joe" MacDonald:
Another addition to the Leafsmix this offseason was young goaltender Joey MacDonald. Coming off of a full season filling in for the glass man Rick "Rickie Deeps"DiPietro on the Isle of Length, MacDonald's signing in Toronto was seen as a depth move, with Joey Joe Joe being relegated to the Marlies as their Tender Numero Uno. As a result of injuries to both Leafs regulars Toskala and Gustavsson, MacDonald has been again called into action (story of his life at this point). In limited time on the big stage MacDonald has played very well winning and keeping his team in the game admirably. In my eyes the MacDonald signing is one of the most underrated moves made by Burke this summer, a young netminder who respectably started for a full NHL season is a valuable commodity no matter how unsexy his numbers and lack of star potential may make him to the average fan. This kid has value and I'm glad the Leafs can see it, look to him as a solid #2 option going forward.
Mock Depth Chart:
Starter: Jonas Gustavsson
Action is required as Gustavsson's $900k contract is of the one year variety. Re-signing will be a priority for Burke in the coming off-season. I see it getting done as the Leafs will have copious amounts of cap space and will almost certainly give the monster a raise to stay in town.
Backup: Joey MacDonald
Again Burke is going to have to make a move to keep the kid in town but as it stands I would be in favor of tendering a contract to MacD, the Leafs will need a backup and MacDonald has shown he has what it takes to get hit by rubber on a consistent basis.
In the final year of his contract Toskala has not been impressive and fans have lost hope. Perhaps a change of scenery will do the mild mannered Fin some good, there is one thing we can be sure he will not receive a raise and if he gets a paycheck at all it will not be signed by Richard Peddie. If Burke can swing Toskala for anything at all at the trade deadline you'll be able to drop me with a feather but in the most likely scenario Toskala will work on his doorman skills until the season ends from the end of the Leafs bench.
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