Leafs Nation Report (Toronto) – With two weeks into the season, the Maple Leafs have thus far proven critics wrong, playing solid well-balanced hockey. The biggest concern this season was the defensive core. A well-balanced forward group and stalwart goaltending from Ed Belfour has lead the team tied for third in the Eastern Conference with the New York Rangers with a record of 5-3-0-1.
Heading into the season, general manager Jason Yu promised the Leafs faithful that the team would head into a different direction, promising results after a disheartening season the year before. After training camp and pre-season, the organization announced that Jarret Stoll would be their new captain with incoming free agent Brendan Shanahan and upcoming defenseman Jiri Fischer as alternate captains.
“Jarret Stoll has always shown exemplary leadership qualities beginning with his junior team, captaining Kootenay Ice to the Memorial Cup and the World Junior Canadian squad to a silver medal,”commented Yu. “We have no doubt that he will be a great captain for us.”
Under Stoll’s leadership, the Leafs have played on par this season, owing to strong work ethic and a commitment to playing defensively responsible hockey. As a result, they are seventh in the league in goals against per game with a stellar 2.12 goals per game.
“We realize heading into the season that we have a strong group of forwards and good solid depth up front. However, our young defensive core is still quite young and we have to chip in from time to time and help them out,” said Stoll. “We have very high expectations this year. It’s a tough conference much alone tough division, but our goal is to get into the playoffs.”
As mentioned earlier, Yu has made it well known of his plans to make the team more competitive. With the team salary well under league salary cap by more than $10 million, Yu has already started assembling a more competitive roster, acquiring Eric Lindros in a very much publicized transaction. The deal saw Marcel Hossa, Jay Harrison, Krystofer Kolanos and Lauri Korpikoski for Lindros and a fourth rounder in the 2007 draft. Most of the critics felt the transaction favoured the Rangers greatly.
“We were very interested in Lindros and we felt that he would fit our team very well. We had inquired about him to Ray [Nuvolone] early in pre-season.,” Yu told reporters. “In the end, we got the impression that Lindros has always loved to play for Toronto growing up as a Leafs fan. After making the trade, we talked to his father who is also his agent, and he has told us that Eric was ecstatic about the trade and is very happy to be playing for the team he cherished growing up.”
Rumour has it that both sides will begin negotiations very soon in terms of a long-term contract extension. There have been general discussions and it seems as though both sides are leaning towards getting a contract done as early as possible.
Lindros should fit well into the Toronto’s mould. He will bring additional size, toughness, and skill to an already impressive core of forwards. Players with size, skill and toughness already include the likes of Brendan Shanahan, Steve Bernier, Nik Antropov, Nathan Horton and Taylor Pyatt. Head coach Pat Quinn has already stated Lindros will be inserted immediately on the top line with Shawn Horcoff and Brendan Shanahan.
Forwards
Unlike last season, there is much optimism as to how much offense can be mustered. With the addition of Lindros, this group provides an excellent mixture of youth and veterans, toughness and skill, as well as scoring and defensive ability. The acquisitions of Tyler Arnason, Matthew Lombardi, Brendan Shanahan and now Eric Lindros have helped solidify the lineup and it is expected that each will contribute offensively.
With two weeks under his belt, Quinn seems to have found chemistry on all four lines. There have been chemistry among linemates and each line seems to have found a certain identity already on the team. The Leafs Nation Reports have provided the consensus lineups with analysis and breakdown of each line.
Shanahan-Horcoff-Lindros
The top line has yet to reach expectations offensively. However, in their defense, they have been matched up against opponents' top line. Shawn Horcoff has provided strong two-way play between two pillars. Shanahan and Lindros provide many different options: they are able to grind down low along the boards or a fast open end-to-end style of play. The key however is Horcoff who is defensively responsible, which would allow his playmates to aggressively forecheck in the offensive zone, creating turnovers. With their skill, don’t be surprise if a few goals come from this.
Arnason-Stoll-Horton
This line has been producing well for the Maple Leafs scoring thirty percent of the goals thus far (six goals out of twenty). Much of it has been the strong playmaking abilities of Tyler Arnason. Nathan Horton has provided the grind and hard work along the board and in and around the net, as expected of a young budding power-forward. Jarret Stoll has provided the defensive responsibilities. He is also considered somewhat of a sniper with his hard slapshot. However, it has yet to produce any goals for him. This line has the potential to outproduce the top line since the much of the opponent’s focus has been on the top line.
Antropov-Weiss-Bernier
Unlike the two top lines with two-way centermen, the so called “third line” is centered by Toronto native, Stephen Weiss. Weiss is a skilled playmaker paired up with Steve Bernier, yet another power forward on the team. Nik Antropov is possibly the team’s best defensive forward and should provide a defensive calmness and allow some offensive production between Weiss and Bernier. Surprisingly, Antropov's play has provided most of the line's offensive chances. The problem has been the ability to capitalize on them. Thus far, Weiss and Bernier has only scored one goal apiece, while Antropov remains pointless. However, if the line continues to play well, the scoring should arrive soon.
Pyatt-Lombardi-Isbister
The fourth line has provided the energy and spark that every team dreams to have. With aggressive forechecking along the boards and a skilled centerman like Lombardi down the middle, the line has surprisingly produced five goals with Lombardi sharing the team high with four goals. There have been many occaisions where the line has been counted to provide timely energy and goals. However, don’t expect the offense to carry throughout the season. Leaf fans should enjoy the offensive production for the time being.
Of interesting note is the fact that all four lines contain a “power forward”. It has become apparent that Yu has a liking towards skilled players with size despite playing in the new OTHL era. Nevertheless, it seems that Toronto now has an abundance of depth which it never had last season. In addition, the signings of Patrick Thoresen and Brad Winchester have provided additional depth. It is expected that either player has the potential to crack the lineup at season’s end. With a strong prospect list of players such as Michael Frolik, Derrik Brassard, Michael Forney, Loui Eriksson and Vjatcheslav Trukhno, one can only expect the team to improve for years to come.
Defense
The team’s Achille’s heels. However, there is much to look forward in the future as Matthew Greene, Kurtis Foster and Christian Ehrhoff continue their development. Despite losing to the Chris Pronger sweepstakes, Jiri Fischer, Karel Pilar and Garnett Exelby have provided strong leadership ability in guiding the youngsters through games. There are such players as Ty Wishart, Noah Welch and Nathan Paetsch expected to be in the team’s near future. In addition, it has been speculated that Yu will continue to improve the squad throughout this season. If the Leafs continue to play well and compete for a playoff spot as they near the trade deadline, do not be surprise if the following consensus defensive pairings change by the time when all is said and done.
Fischer-Ehrhoff
Jiri Fischer is the outright leader and anchor of this young squad. He will be counted on his defensive abilities. Although he has the potential to provide offense, the organization has made it clear that they would be pleased if he brings only the physical and defensive aspect of his game consistently. Ehrhoff will be expected to provide the offense from the defensive core. This is high expectations for the young German. However, he will be given every opportunity to succeed.
Exelby-Foster
Garnett Exelby will be paired up with young Kurtis Foster. Exelby provides a steady presence which should allow Foster to provide offense in the backend. This line has been quite stellar thus far with Foster already registering four points in the first eight games. There is definitely some chemistry between the two. Foster has one of the hardest shots in the entire league registering a 100mph slapshot. With Exelby’s defensive awareness, it should alleviate some of Foster’s defensive responsibilities and allow him to focus more offenisively.
Pilar-Greene
The third pairing will see Matthew Greene providing the physical presence while veteran Pilar should serve as the complimentary veteran composure. Although they will be not be counted on offensively, Quinn will be relying on them to play around ten to fifteen minutes a game to provide much needed relief to the top two pairings. If they should continue their success, look for them to increase their playing time.
The young trio of Greene, Ehrhoff and Foster will be counted to develop quickly should the Leafs stand a chance at making the playoffs. They do not have the luxury to develop slowly as many of their young counterparts. Thus far, they have done their job amicably. However, the season is long and sources close to the team have confirmed that Yu has already begun inquisitions into acquiring an able bodied defenceman or two.
Goaltending
Ed Belfour
Marc-Andre Fleury
Fred Brathwaite
The goaltending will be led by Ed Belfour with upcoming franchise goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury as relief. Ed Belfour has continued his impressive display of goaltending, providing leadership and experience between the pipes in front of the young inexperienced defense. Fleury will most likely see between twenty to twenty-five games this season and provide much needed rest for Belfour. The team will be patient with Fleury’s development allowing to mature and giving him the necessary time as an apprentice to one of the league’s best goaltenders. Brathwaite was signed to provide some added depth in net and will serve as the team’s third goaltender.
Transaction Recap
Toronto: Eric Lindros and 4th NYR 2007
NY Rangers: Jay Harrison, Lauri Korpikoski, Marcel Hossa, Krystofer Kolanos
Yu stepped up to the plate and acquired a big man with skill despite the possibility of losing him to free agency at season’s end. We already are familiar with what Lindros will bring. However, Kyrstofer Kolanos and Marcel Hossa are still young despite playing below expectations. Jay Harrison has the potential to become a top four defender in this league. However, his skating is still in question, and it is more reasonable to predict his career potential to be nothing more than a sixth or seventh defenseman in the OTHL. The wild card in this transaction is Lauri Korpikoski. The young Finn has shown the abilities to become a solid second line play with potential to be a first line player. His hard work ethics is what attract scouts, along with his skating abilities. However, his offensive upside is still in question and there are some scouts that feel he may end up as a two-way third liner.
Outlook
The 2006-2007 season rendition should provide a rollercoaster of excitement and heartaches. Their young defensive core is still a liability and some still question whether they will be able to withstand the long grueling OTHL season. There is no doubt that Yu will need to improve on the defense core should they have aspirations of making the playoffs. In the meantime, the team will rely on solid goaltending as well as the forwards to help in the backend. If they can manage to sustain this until further help arrive, the Leafs could possibly be looking at a playoff berth.