Toronto_AGM_Adil
Registered User
- Apr 9, 2006
- 337
- 9
Toronto (AP) Nothing will highlight the turn-around of the Toronto Maple Leafs franchise more than passing the 51 point milestone at midseason. If the Leafs can manage to squeeze just two more points from the slumping Sharks they'll have surpassed their last years point total at just the 42 game mark... an achievment which will certainly bold well for their chances at meeting the Synergy endorsement contract.
However, while Toronto fans celebrate the team's standings in their division, not all looks well in Leaf land. After suffering a series of injuries, the leafs have fallen from 1st place in the east and just recently broke a 5 game winless streak with two wins against the Ducks and provincial rivals the Senators. These injuries have really exposed the a major weakness in the franchise... the lack of flexibility. Players like Gionta, Guerin and Armstrong only play RW, requiring the leafs to rely heavily on Handzus and Comrie to fill in the void on LW and requiring PK specialist Laperrier to play at C. Next year, players like Kunitz and Ponikarovski will be able to step into those LW positions, however until then the log jam at RW has left the team inflexible during injuries.
When asked, coach Paul Maurice replied "It's one of those nice problems to have... I think it's been a good thing in that the guys really push themselves harder and both [comrie and handzus] have managed well in the roles we've asked them to play... we can't really use injuries to excuse our performance, we have to expect everyone to step up and contribute during those times..."
Despite the teams recent two game win-streak it does seem like this lack of flexibility has really put a dampner on the Leafs making a meaningful impact in the playoffs... a fact which surely sophmore GM Chagani has taken note of.
However, while Toronto fans celebrate the team's standings in their division, not all looks well in Leaf land. After suffering a series of injuries, the leafs have fallen from 1st place in the east and just recently broke a 5 game winless streak with two wins against the Ducks and provincial rivals the Senators. These injuries have really exposed the a major weakness in the franchise... the lack of flexibility. Players like Gionta, Guerin and Armstrong only play RW, requiring the leafs to rely heavily on Handzus and Comrie to fill in the void on LW and requiring PK specialist Laperrier to play at C. Next year, players like Kunitz and Ponikarovski will be able to step into those LW positions, however until then the log jam at RW has left the team inflexible during injuries.
When asked, coach Paul Maurice replied "It's one of those nice problems to have... I think it's been a good thing in that the guys really push themselves harder and both [comrie and handzus] have managed well in the roles we've asked them to play... we can't really use injuries to excuse our performance, we have to expect everyone to step up and contribute during those times..."
Despite the teams recent two game win-streak it does seem like this lack of flexibility has really put a dampner on the Leafs making a meaningful impact in the playoffs... a fact which surely sophmore GM Chagani has taken note of.
