Strangelove wrote:darren wrote:
Strangelove wrote:
Looking over their lineup I have convinced myself the Leaves are going to completely SUCK this year.
Hmm. Looks to me like they're going to do better than the Canucks this year.
The Leaves have lost a lot of depth!
FORWARDS:
Replacing MacArthur + Grabovski with Clarkson + Bolland is a minor upgrade
... but they lost important depth players Komarov + Frattin (13-14 MPG)
... planning to fill the void with rookies like Colborne/Ashton/D'Amigo? ... career AHLer Smith?
DEFENSE:
Okay, I just figured out they're gonna buyout Liles within the next 48 ours (window after Fraser signing).
That will give them the cash they need to re-sign Kadri + Franson with not much left over.
Liles (I'm assuming he's gone) is overpaid but he provided top-4 minutes when needed.
Kostka is gone, he provided 22 MPG... even if he *was* benched for 13 games.
O'Byrne is gone, a solid depth dee.
Komisarek, obviously WAY overpaid but has always been available to call up from the Marlies as injury insurance.
Gone.
So who replaces those guys?
Gardiner looks like a solid young player but a rookie who they pretty much HAVE to play in the top-4 all year.
Ranger is a headcase who returns to the NHL after a 4 year year sabbatical (is he still an NHLer?)
I see they signed journeyman Brennan to a one-way deal after Florida cut him loose.
And they still have desperation-time Holzer.
(Morgan Rielly needs another year in juniors IMPO)
Gunnarsson - Phaneuf
Gardiner - Franson
Fraser – Ranger
Brennan – Holzer
Hmmm only Franson + Holzer are RHS.
Gardiner and Franson have yet to prove they can play in the top-4 for an entire year
(I admit I have faith in them, but hey you never know).
Ranger, like I say could flame-out.... or have another meltdown.
If any one of Fraser/Brennan/Holzer are called upon to fill in Top 4 for any length of time they're hooped.
So yeah, they've lost a lot of depth on both offense and defense = a few good injuries: Fuggetaboutit.
GOALTENDING:
They're not going to get better goaltending than they did last season - Bernier or no Bernier.
Reimer/Scrivens were 9th in save percentage (even if it was a fluke in a shortened season).
LUCK FACTOR:
Speaking of fluky and last season, they are not likely to repeat that run of ridiculously good luck.
Worst shot differential in the league?
Horrible possession numbers?
And they STILL make they playoffs??
Being number one in shooting percentage saved them - NOT going to happen again.
Saaaay... you're not some kind of Leaf-loving Leiweke-koolaid-swilling sickoid are ya Darren?