Comments on: The Leafs: A story of 18 games http://hockeyanalysis.com/2006/04/17/the-leafs-a-story-of-18-games/ Advancing Our Knowledge of Hockey Through Statistical Analysis Thu, 10 May 2012 15:50:44 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Mr Hockey http://hockeyanalysis.com/2006/04/17/the-leafs-a-story-of-18-games/comment-page-1/#comment-1125 Mr Hockey Thu, 20 Apr 2006 06:27:49 +0000 http://hockeyanalysis.com/?p=302#comment-1125 i disagree Kevin...Sundin had a great year ....he is the only consistant Leaf we have. Without him we have nothing. i disagree Kevin…Sundin had a great year ….he is the only consistant Leaf we have. Without him we have nothing.

]]> By: Kevin Young http://hockeyanalysis.com/2006/04/17/the-leafs-a-story-of-18-games/comment-page-1/#comment-1124 Kevin Young Wed, 19 Apr 2006 15:12:54 +0000 http://hockeyanalysis.com/?p=302#comment-1124 I think there were many reasons to Toronto not making the playoffs again. One thing I would expect them to do in the offseason is get somebody to replace Ed Belfour in net. He had success when he was with Dallas and won the cup back in 1999. I don't know where that went when several years ago when he went to Toronto. But the goaltender is only as good as his defense. Three of the defensemen, Alexander Khavanov, Carlo Colaiacovo, and Andy Wozniewski, were on injured reserve (as of April 2). Tomas Kaberle and Brian McCabe were forced the whole year to be the big guys on the #1 line, with Wade Belak, Aki Berg, and Luke Richardson taking up 3 more spaces, not really players you hear making headlines. But the defenseman has to work harder if the forwards turnover the puck. With Jason Allison on injured reserve for the millionth time since being traded from Boston to Los Angeles during the 2001-2002 season. Mats Sundin played below expectations and had other players simply had bad seasons. All in all, you can't blame one particular field for their falters and expect to see improvements in each position. I think there were many reasons to Toronto not making the playoffs again. One thing I would expect them to do in the offseason is get somebody to replace Ed Belfour in net. He had success when he was with Dallas and won the cup back in 1999. I don’t know where that went when several years ago when he went to Toronto. But the goaltender is only as good as his defense. Three of the defensemen, Alexander Khavanov, Carlo Colaiacovo, and Andy Wozniewski, were on injured reserve (as of April 2). Tomas Kaberle and Brian McCabe were forced the whole year to be the big guys on the #1 line, with Wade Belak, Aki Berg, and Luke Richardson taking up 3 more spaces, not really players you hear making headlines. But the defenseman has to work harder if the forwards turnover the puck. With Jason Allison on injured reserve for the millionth time since being traded from Boston to Los Angeles during the 2001-2002 season. Mats Sundin played below expectations and had other players simply had bad seasons. All in all, you can’t blame one particular field for their falters and expect to see improvements in each position.

]]> By: Brendan http://hockeyanalysis.com/2006/04/17/the-leafs-a-story-of-18-games/comment-page-1/#comment-1123 Brendan Wed, 19 Apr 2006 05:07:18 +0000 http://hockeyanalysis.com/?p=302#comment-1123 So who are the papers going after first? Or is it too early for the head choppers to come out? So who are the papers going after first? Or is it too early for the head choppers to come out?

]]> By: David Johnson http://hockeyanalysis.com/2006/04/17/the-leafs-a-story-of-18-games/comment-page-1/#comment-1122 David Johnson Wed, 19 Apr 2006 01:32:57 +0000 http://hockeyanalysis.com/?p=302#comment-1122 Ummm, I still think it was mostly weak goaltending that let the Leafs down during that 18 game stretch and that 18 game stretch is the reason why the Leafs didn't make the playoffs. Goaltending is the key in the NHL. Not many teams make the playoffs with mediocre goaltending and not many teams with excellent goaltending miss the playoffs. The Leafs for much fo the season, and especially during those 18 games, had very mediocre goaltending. Ummm, I still think it was mostly weak goaltending that let the Leafs down during that 18 game stretch and that 18 game stretch is the reason why the Leafs didn’t make the playoffs. Goaltending is the key in the NHL. Not many teams make the playoffs with mediocre goaltending and not many teams with excellent goaltending miss the playoffs. The Leafs for much fo the season, and especially during those 18 games, had very mediocre goaltending.

]]> By: Brendan http://hockeyanalysis.com/2006/04/17/the-leafs-a-story-of-18-games/comment-page-1/#comment-1121 Brendan Wed, 19 Apr 2006 00:01:31 +0000 http://hockeyanalysis.com/?p=302#comment-1121 Well glad you are looking at things more logical now than just saying it was just the goaltending and 18 games was the reason they didn't make the playoffs. The only way Lindros would get a contract would be the minimum with a ton of incentives. But we all know what he and his daddy will say to that. Considering that they slammed the Maple Leafs about the care he received from thier doctors I don't think he will exactly have an open door for the next season. Well glad you are looking at things more logical now than just saying it was just the goaltending and 18 games was the reason they didn’t make the playoffs. The only way Lindros would get a contract would be the minimum with a ton of incentives. But we all know what he and his daddy will say to that. Considering that they slammed the Maple Leafs about the care he received from thier doctors I don’t think he will exactly have an open door for the next season.

]]> By: David Johnson http://hockeyanalysis.com/2006/04/17/the-leafs-a-story-of-18-games/comment-page-1/#comment-1120 David Johnson Tue, 18 Apr 2006 22:28:44 +0000 http://hockeyanalysis.com/?p=302#comment-1120 I was giving names of the type of player the Leafs should look at signing. i.e. A veteren goalie, a #1/#2 defenseman, a skilled scoring forward, etc. I don't think Quinn or Ferguson or Peddie are the problem or the reason why they Leafs missed the playoffs. But if there are personality conflicts or power struggles going on between them (or between the ownership groups) then they should be resolved. I suspect Quinn might be let go because he and Ferguson don't seem to get along and Ferguson might want 'his guy' in there and not the guy who he replaced as GM. Up front the Leafs have Sundin, Tucker, O'Neill, Ponikarovsky, Steen, Kilger, Domi and Belak signed. On defense they have Kaberle and some of the youngsters (White, Wozniewski for sure and maybe one or two of the others). In goal they have Tellqvist and Aubin Total salary committed is about $20 million not including Belfours buyout of just over $1.5 million. If the cap is around $43-45 million that would leave about $20 million to spend to fill out the roster. Stajan, Wellwood are probably going to be signed for probably no more than $1.5 million combined. Richardson should be signed for say $750,000. That would give the team 10 forwards, 2 defensemen plus several youngsters, and 2 backup goalies and ~$17 million to spend. Here is what I suggest: Commit up to $2 million on a goalie (i.e. Roloson, Huet, trade for Weekes, etc) Commit up to $5 million on a #1/#2 defenseman Commit $2 million on a #3/#4 defenseman (Kubina, F. Kaberle, etc.) Resign Antropov for $1 million Resign Lindros for $1 million (if he'll sign for that amount) Sign a skilled sniper for $4-5 million Forwards: Sundin, Tucker, Ponikarovsky, Steen, Wellwood, Lindros, Stajan, Kilger, Antropov, O'Neill, Domi, Belak, Ondrus, Sign a skilled goal scorer Defense: Kaberle, sign a #1/2 defenseman, sign a #3/4 defenseman, White, Coliacovo, Richardson, Harrison, Bell, Kronvall, Wozniewski, Pilar Goal: Sign a veteren goalie Aubin Tellqvist That would be a solid team and would have a good chance to make the playoffs. You have to remember that several teams may not be as good next season. Ottawa will lose some players. Tampa might as well. Philly's defense will be another year older and a bit slower too. I was giving names of the type of player the Leafs should look at signing. i.e. A veteren goalie, a #1/#2 defenseman, a skilled scoring forward, etc.

I don’t think Quinn or Ferguson or Peddie are the problem or the reason why they Leafs missed the playoffs. But if there are personality conflicts or power struggles going on between them (or between the ownership groups) then they should be resolved. I suspect Quinn might be let go because he and Ferguson don’t seem to get along and Ferguson might want ‘his guy’ in there and not the guy who he replaced as GM.

Up front the Leafs have Sundin, Tucker, O’Neill, Ponikarovsky, Steen, Kilger, Domi and Belak signed.

On defense they have Kaberle and some of the youngsters (White, Wozniewski for sure and maybe one or two of the others).

In goal they have Tellqvist and Aubin

Total salary committed is about $20 million not including Belfours buyout of just over $1.5 million.

If the cap is around $43-45 million that would leave about $20 million to spend to fill out the roster.

Stajan, Wellwood are probably going to be signed for probably no more than $1.5 million combined. Richardson should be signed for say $750,000.

That would give the team 10 forwards, 2 defensemen plus several youngsters, and 2 backup goalies and ~$17 million to spend.

Here is what I suggest:

Commit up to $2 million on a goalie (i.e. Roloson, Huet, trade for Weekes, etc)
Commit up to $5 million on a #1/#2 defenseman
Commit $2 million on a #3/#4 defenseman (Kubina, F. Kaberle, etc.)
Resign Antropov for $1 million
Resign Lindros for $1 million (if he’ll sign for that amount)
Sign a skilled sniper for $4-5 million

Forwards:

Sundin, Tucker, Ponikarovsky, Steen, Wellwood, Lindros, Stajan, Kilger, Antropov, O’Neill, Domi, Belak, Ondrus, Sign a skilled goal scorer

Defense:
Kaberle, sign a #1/2 defenseman, sign a #3/4 defenseman, White, Coliacovo, Richardson, Harrison, Bell, Kronvall, Wozniewski, Pilar

Goal:

Sign a veteren goalie
Aubin
Tellqvist

That would be a solid team and would have a good chance to make the playoffs. You have to remember that several teams may not be as good next season. Ottawa will lose some players. Tampa might as well. Philly’s defense will be another year older and a bit slower too.

]]> By: Mr Hockey http://hockeyanalysis.com/2006/04/17/the-leafs-a-story-of-18-games/comment-page-1/#comment-1119 Mr Hockey Tue, 18 Apr 2006 22:08:03 +0000 http://hockeyanalysis.com/?p=302#comment-1119 Here are my assumptions and predictions for the Leafs for next season: -Quinn and Ferguson fired -Belfour will be bought out at aprox. $2 million -Sundin, Kaberle, Tucker, Aubin, O'Neill, Khavanov, Ponikarovsky, Steen, and Belak are all under contract. Assuming none of these players retire or get traded. (O'Neill and Domi may retire, and Belak will most likely will not be playing next year, possible buy out) -Leafs will re-sign Stajan, Wellwood, Colaiacolvo, Richardson, Antropov, Lindros and Chad Kilger. Leafs may re-sign McCabe at a possible $4.8 million per year as I have heard rumoured. His first choice if not to re-sign with the Leafs will be New Jersey and NY Islanders. My guess is if the price is right and under $5 a year..the Leafs have to re-sign McCabe. -Leafs will not re-sign or bring back Berg, Belak, Wilm, Tellqvist and Allison. So with all that said, that leaves the Leafs aprox. 6-8 million dollars of cap room. (This is all depending on how much each unsigned player is signed for...6-8 million is a rough estimate) With 6-8 million dollars of cap room it is obvious that the Leafs will not go out and re-sign a ton of free agents at top dollar. This is a delusion Leaf fans. Majority of the team will be back next year. My hunch will say O'Neill, Domi, Berg and Khavanov would are all signed will NOT be back with the Leafs next season. Unless the Leafs clean house starting at the top with Peddie, Ferguson and Quinn... this team will not be a playoff team next season as well. Cap room wont allow them to do enough to make a difference....unless of course the Leafs step up and play to their potential...this is always possible of course...and i hope so :) Here are my assumptions and predictions for the Leafs for next season:

-Quinn and Ferguson fired

-Belfour will be bought out at aprox. $2 million

-Sundin, Kaberle, Tucker, Aubin, O’Neill, Khavanov, Ponikarovsky, Steen, and Belak are all under contract. Assuming none of these players retire or get traded.
(O’Neill and Domi may retire, and Belak will most likely will not be playing next year, possible buy out)

-Leafs will re-sign Stajan, Wellwood, Colaiacolvo, Richardson, Antropov, Lindros and Chad Kilger. Leafs may re-sign McCabe at a possible $4.8 million per year as I have heard rumoured. His first choice if not to re-sign with the Leafs will be New Jersey and NY Islanders. My guess is if the price is right and under $5 a year..the Leafs have to re-sign McCabe.

-Leafs will not re-sign or bring back Berg, Belak, Wilm, Tellqvist and Allison.

So with all that said, that leaves the Leafs aprox. 6-8 million dollars of cap room. (This is all depending on how much each unsigned player is signed for…6-8 million is a rough estimate) With 6-8 million dollars of cap room it is obvious that the Leafs will not go out and re-sign a ton of free agents at top dollar. This is a delusion Leaf fans. Majority of the team will be back next year. My hunch will say O’Neill, Domi, Berg and Khavanov would are all signed will NOT be back with the Leafs next season.

Unless the Leafs clean house starting at the top with Peddie, Ferguson and Quinn… this team will not be a playoff team next season as well. Cap room wont allow them to do enough to make a difference….unless of course the Leafs step up and play to their potential…this is always possible of course…and i hope so :)

]]> By: Mr Hockey http://hockeyanalysis.com/2006/04/17/the-leafs-a-story-of-18-games/comment-page-1/#comment-1118 Mr Hockey Tue, 18 Apr 2006 21:44:08 +0000 http://hockeyanalysis.com/?p=302#comment-1118 In my opinion David, you writing on article on who should stay and who should go in Toronto would be more pleasing to the eyes. Start in house. Rather than throw suggestions on who the Leafs should sign in the off season because that would be all guessing and speculation. In reality during the offseason, ALL of the free agents could be possible signee's for the Leafs. We could sit here all night and discuss who the Leafs should sign. Doesnt make scense tho..too early for that. SOme players who will be free agents im sure will have a great playoff and return to their respected team next season and so forth. That's all im saying..my suggestion is write an article starting in house with the Leafs. Much easier to determine whos staying and going. Thanks :) In my opinion David, you writing on article on who should stay and who should go in Toronto would be more pleasing to the eyes. Start in house. Rather than throw suggestions on who the Leafs should sign in the off season because that would be all guessing and speculation. In reality during the offseason, ALL of the free agents could be possible signee’s for the Leafs. We could sit here all night and discuss who the Leafs should sign. Doesnt make scense tho..too early for that. SOme players who will be free agents im sure will have a great playoff and return to their respected team next season and so forth. That’s all im saying..my suggestion is write an article starting in house with the Leafs. Much easier to determine whos staying and going. Thanks :)

]]> By: Mr Hockey http://hockeyanalysis.com/2006/04/17/the-leafs-a-story-of-18-games/comment-page-1/#comment-1117 Mr Hockey Tue, 18 Apr 2006 21:36:07 +0000 http://hockeyanalysis.com/?p=302#comment-1117 How does writing an article on how you would improve the Leafs do any good? no offense but this is all speculation. Im sure everyone has good ideas on how to make the Leafs better, doesn't mean they will come true. More importantly David, you keep stating all these problems with the Leafs yet you keep miscluding the obvious....Quinn, Feruson and possibly Peddie. Don't you think the problem starts at the top? Wouldn't it be a great geasture to all the die hard Leafs fans out there to prove that winning comes first and money isnt what this organization is all about. Proving that would including firing Quinn and Ferguson for sure. Peddie is a toss up..yes hes a good business man and chances are he wont get canned. I think he should...they all should. Send a message thru the organization that losing and not making the post season WILL NOT be tolerated in Toronto. Not now....not ever. How does writing an article on how you would improve the Leafs do any good? no offense but this is all speculation. Im sure everyone has good ideas on how to make the Leafs better, doesn’t mean they will come true. More importantly David, you keep stating all these problems with the Leafs yet you keep miscluding the obvious….Quinn, Feruson and possibly Peddie. Don’t you think the problem starts at the top? Wouldn’t it be a great geasture to all the die hard Leafs fans out there to prove that winning comes first and money isnt what this organization is all about. Proving that would including firing Quinn and Ferguson for sure. Peddie is a toss up..yes hes a good business man and chances are he wont get canned. I think he should…they all should. Send a message thru the organization that losing and not making the post season WILL NOT be tolerated in Toronto. Not now….not ever.

]]> By: David Johnson http://hockeyanalysis.com/2006/04/17/the-leafs-a-story-of-18-games/comment-page-1/#comment-1116 David Johnson Tue, 18 Apr 2006 20:03:40 +0000 http://hockeyanalysis.com/?p=302#comment-1116 I'll probably write an article on how I would improve the Leafs this off season but here is what I think would be a good start. 1. Sign or trade for a goalie that can fill the gap for the next 2-3 years until Pogge and/or Rask are ready. I think Roloson would be a good choice. Next year have Roloson and one of Aubin and Tellqvist be your goalies. Pogge with the Marlies and Rask might spend another year in Finland. 2. Sign a stud defenseman to play with Kaberle. It could be McCabe but so long as they don't over spend for him. Other options are Redden, Chara, and Jovanovski. Chara might be out of their budget and I suspect Redden will stay in Ottawa but Jovanovski would be a great choice. 3. Sign a good #3 type defensemen. Pavel Kubina from Tampa or Kaberle's brother from Carolina would be decent choices. 4. Sign Richardson as your #6/7 defenseman. I think he has done a decent job so far and I like how he plays physical. 5. The other 3 defense spots go to youngsters. White for sure. Colaiacovo probably gets a spot too. Harrison, Kronvall, Wozniewski and Bell can compete for the other spot. 6. Up front I would consider resigning Lindros if you can get him cheap enough. Again, I like his size and I think he played fairly well when he was healthy. Most importantly sign a speedy winger who can score goals to play with Sundin. Elias would be a good choice but depending on what they do on defense and in goal he may be to expensive. Anson Carter, who really wanted to sign with Toronto last summer, is an option too and would come quite a bit cheaper. Vancouver might not be able to afford him as well. I’ll probably write an article on how I would improve the Leafs this off season but here is what I think would be a good start.

1. Sign or trade for a goalie that can fill the gap for the next 2-3 years until Pogge and/or Rask are ready. I think Roloson would be a good choice. Next year have Roloson and one of Aubin and Tellqvist be your goalies. Pogge with the Marlies and Rask might spend another year in Finland.

2. Sign a stud defenseman to play with Kaberle. It could be McCabe but so long as they don’t over spend for him. Other options are Redden, Chara, and Jovanovski. Chara might be out of their budget and I suspect Redden will stay in Ottawa but Jovanovski would be a great choice.

3. Sign a good #3 type defensemen. Pavel Kubina from Tampa or Kaberle’s brother from Carolina would be decent choices.

4. Sign Richardson as your #6/7 defenseman. I think he has done a decent job so far and I like how he plays physical.

5. The other 3 defense spots go to youngsters. White for sure. Colaiacovo probably gets a spot too. Harrison, Kronvall, Wozniewski and Bell can compete for the other spot.

6. Up front I would consider resigning Lindros if you can get him cheap enough. Again, I like his size and I think he played fairly well when he was healthy. Most importantly sign a speedy winger who can score goals to play with Sundin. Elias would be a good choice but depending on what they do on defense and in goal he may be to expensive. Anson Carter, who really wanted to sign with Toronto last summer, is an option too and would come quite a bit cheaper. Vancouver might not be able to afford him as well.

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