Injury Report: Mike Kostka - Broken finger (Mod warning post #146)

[blueberrie]

Don't wanna wish injury on anyone but at least it completely removes any temptation for Carlyle to put him back in.

 

[ITM]

During the playoffs, the pluses of an offensive minded defenseman don't outweigh the minuses of their lack of positioning and tendency for giveaways. Especially not less physical players while playing against "The Big Bad Bruins". They didn't get that nickname by being tall and evading taxes.

The argument that our one goal was caused by pinching from the blue line is true, but so is the argument that the 15 odd man rushes given up were as well, and so were at least 2 goals against. Losing math in that case, and in the playoffs, even math is more frowned upon than looked up to.

Gardiner will be a really good offensive d-man, but he's too much of a liability right now.

So noted.

I'd qualify the want by pointing out the obvious pairing with a defensive D. We're missing a player that explodes from our own zone and pushes the opposition back...I think Gardiner is that type of player...Well...I hope he is, rather.

 

[Stephen]

Can't believe he played with a broken finger, this should put him in the Bob Baun level of all time Leafs greats. Get well soon Mike!!

I dunno, when you're playing hurt and then also hurting your team for 4 goals on the ice, I feel like you have to take yourself out of the action. At some point, you just become a liability (even moreso in Kostka's case).

 

[pcruz]

Such little patience. The whole issue of throwing young players into the fire before they're properly prepared is one of the reasons that Schenn is not a Leaf and had such an underwhelming couple of seasons before being traded.

It's also the reason why Detroit hasn't missed the playoffs in over 2 decades, the fact that they don't rush players up to the NHL before they're prepared.

 

[Bravid Nonahan]

Ya, Kostka is an AHL jouneyman, there is no comparison with him and Schenn

 

[napoleon in rags]

$10 says his replacement plays no better

I'm not touching that bet.

 

[Christ]

I am still trying to figure out what Kostka was doing on the ice in the first place...this guy is not and never has been an NHL defender. He was ok to start the season but quickly went downhill and never recovered.

 

[atleastimnotahabsfan]

Replace him with O'Byrne. He is a better fit with Lyles and to play the Bruins anyways.

 

[smitty10]

Ya, Kostka is an AHL jouneyman, there is no comparison with him and Schenn

Agreed. He has no business suiting up for an NHL game, let alone a playoff game.

I'm not touching that bet.

I'd take that bet. You really think his replacement (O'Byrne/Gardiner) will continuously get caught out on the ice for 2+ minutes at a time and finish a -3 with as many giveaways as Kostka? The guy is probably the worst player in the NHL who sees consistent time.

 

[Diatomic]

We need to stop for a moment and talk about Mark Fraser, who was almost just as bad.

Fraser = Schenn 2.0
Kostka = Schenn 3.0

Getting these 2 back to the AHL should be a priority next season. Depth D-men, that's it.

 

[TheOtherSide]

We need to stop for a moment and talk about Mark Fraser, who was almost just as bad.

Fraser = Schenn 2.0
Kostka = Schenn 3.0

Getting these 2 back to the AHL should be a priority next season. Depth D-men, that's it.

I would have to agree that Fraser was pretty horrible last night, but overall I think he had a really solid season. He is a good bottom pairing defenceman and complimented Franson's offensive game perfectly at even strength.

 

[shaner8989]

Good. Guy is garbage. Cost us game 1.

Franson - Fraser

Carlyle is an idiot for changing it

 

[Stephen]

Good. Guy is garbage. Cost us game 1.

Franson - Fraser

Carlyle is an idiot for changing it

Franson Fraser is still a pretty slow duo...

 

[pooleboy]

Such little patience. The whole issue of throwing young players into the fire before they're properly prepared is one of the reasons that Schenn is not a Leaf and had such an underwhelming couple of seasons before being traded.

It's also the reason why Detroit hasn't missed the playoffs in over 2 decades, the fact that they don't rush players up to the NHL before they're prepared.

Why don't u go check how old kostka is then laugh at your post

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

Please remember that cheering for injuries is not allowed at hfboards

maybe so but he does suck, yes yes he does

 

[pooleboy]

We need to stop for a moment and talk about Mark Fraser, who was almost just as bad.

Fraser = Schenn 2.0
Kostka = Schenn 3.0

Getting these 2 back to the AHL should be a priority next season. Depth D-men, that's it.

Lolwut?

Guy has 1 bad game and everyone wants to throw him back down. Imo he has earned his keep with the big club, alll our Dmen can't be #1 Dmen... And he is perfect for this team can't believe the hate he Is currently getting

 

[pooleboy]

Good. Guy is garbage. Cost us game 1.

Franson - Fraser

Carlyle is an idiot for changing it

Franson got hurt? But Carlyle is DUMB! Lmao leaf nation makes me LAWL

 

[ULF_55]

Leafs defensive depth isn't exactly at the top of the league.

In the rebuild the defense is still under construction.

Phaneuf, Gunnarsson, Franson are the only players I see going forward out of the current group.

Leafs have been making do with a couple AHL defenders all season.

 

[Loosie]

$10 says his replacement plays no better

I won't take that bet, but I will counter with $10 says his replacment becomes the next D scapegoat by the fans.

 

[napoleon in rags]

I won't take that bet, but I will counter with $10 says his replacment becomes the next D scapegoat by the fans.

I don't take that bet either.

 

[smitty10]

I don't take that bet either.

You're not a betting man, eh?

 

[Warden of the North]

Leafs defensive depth isn't exactly at the top of the league.

In the rebuild the defense is still under construction.

Phaneuf, Gunnarsson, Franson are the only players I see going forward out of the current group.

Leafs have been making do with a couple AHL defenders all season.

I agree Ulf. I could see Fraser getting a two year extension as a stop gap/depth guy, and, although it pains me to say it, I think Gardiner is moved this summer.

 

[indigobuffalo]

Reminiscent of Bozak from 2 years ago.

I like Kostka, he makes a lot of great passes and smart plays, all game long.

This massive hate fest is mob mentality at it's finest.

Reading this thread, you'd almost forget that there were 21 other players that shat the bed just as bad, none of whom have a broken finger to wave around as an excuse.

Where is the hate fest for Kadri? He's back to his old ways of donating pucks at both blue lines. Is he still the golden boy?

The only players that deserve a modicum of respect for that game are Grabovski and Kessel.

 

[thatshype]

I know it's much more fashionable to hate on Kostka, but I'd say that Fraser was a MUCH bigger problem out there on Wednesday night. Looking past the +/-, I saw Fraser make way more mistakes then Kostka and altogether Fraser handled the puck like it a molotov cocktail with too short a fuse. He was atrocious.

 

[Clark4Ever]

Fraser was terrible, but he deserves another shot based on his consistent play throughout the season, unlike Kostka. If Fraser struggles again, then yank him for the rest of the series.