ShaneFalco
Registered User
5 Things I Think I’d Do - from the hotstove
If Dave Bolland is going to be okay this year, I think I’d stand pat at the deadline. I don’t like the trade market in terms of what we know is available (so I guess there’s a small asterisk there), and I think if the Leafs really want to they can roll four solid lines and actually utilize some impressive depth. They are obviously set in net, and I’d say they are seven deep on defense. I don’t know if this team is ready to make a run in a bad Conference, but I just don’t see the point in giving up futures when they can easily put together a deep line-up with what they have when they are healthy.
I think I’d offer Kulemin a slight raise to $3.25M over three years (he’s turning 28 this year) just to see if he’d bite. His versatility has been extremely valuable to the Leafs this year as he’s now played every forward position for the team. When a penalty needs to be killed, Kulemin is out there. When a lead needs protecting in the final minute, Kulemin is out there. When someone is out and a player needs to be pushed up the line-up and produce, it is Kulemin. He’s their best defensive forward, he’s great along the boards, and he’s a big guy. They need to explore if there’s a deal here to be made.
I think I like what Ranger has done in limited minutes as the seventh D-man, but ultimately he’s still the odd guy out when they go back to the conventional 12 and 6. That said, I’d be a lot more willing to go 11 and 7 the odd time here or there down the stretch after seeing it work so smoothly last week. It was nice to have Ranger back on the PK because that’s where he has done his best work for this team.
I think I’d try switching Raymond off the second PP unit for either of Clarkson or Kulemin. Raymond is a third skilled guy to go along with Kadri and Lupul, whereas Clarkson or Kulemin would do the dirty work in front of the net and retrieve the puck when it’s lost. Far too often this Raymond-Kadri-Lupul is just guilty of playing too cute with the man advantage, but adding a net and board presence really changes the dynamic of the unit.
I think I’d keep Clarkson on the Kadri line. They were beginning to get rolling last week and I do think Clarkson can add something to that line. Raymond-Bolland-Kulemin flashed potential in their brief stint together and Bodie has probably claimed L4 RW for now, while McClement isn’t coming off if he’s healthy; that leaves Holland, Smith, Ashton and the enforcers fighting for the final roster spot if everyone’s available to play. This is a good problem to have.
and another tidbit:
When the Leafs played the Devils almost a month ago, New Jersey elected not to dress their superheavyweight Cam Janssen even though the Leafs were dressing theirs. Last week the Panthers elected not to dress their heavyweight, Krys Barch, against the Leafs. We keep saying this, but teams simply do not engage the Leafs anymore. They aren’t even dressing their heavyweights now. Now, note that Colton Orr has been healthy scratched two games in a row. It’s only two games, so it’s hard to get a true read on it, but it’s something to monitor moving forward. As the Leafs get healthy now, it will be interesting to see what they do with their lines.
So waive McLaren dammit!!
If Dave Bolland is going to be okay this year, I think I’d stand pat at the deadline. I don’t like the trade market in terms of what we know is available (so I guess there’s a small asterisk there), and I think if the Leafs really want to they can roll four solid lines and actually utilize some impressive depth. They are obviously set in net, and I’d say they are seven deep on defense. I don’t know if this team is ready to make a run in a bad Conference, but I just don’t see the point in giving up futures when they can easily put together a deep line-up with what they have when they are healthy.
I think I’d offer Kulemin a slight raise to $3.25M over three years (he’s turning 28 this year) just to see if he’d bite. His versatility has been extremely valuable to the Leafs this year as he’s now played every forward position for the team. When a penalty needs to be killed, Kulemin is out there. When a lead needs protecting in the final minute, Kulemin is out there. When someone is out and a player needs to be pushed up the line-up and produce, it is Kulemin. He’s their best defensive forward, he’s great along the boards, and he’s a big guy. They need to explore if there’s a deal here to be made.
I think I like what Ranger has done in limited minutes as the seventh D-man, but ultimately he’s still the odd guy out when they go back to the conventional 12 and 6. That said, I’d be a lot more willing to go 11 and 7 the odd time here or there down the stretch after seeing it work so smoothly last week. It was nice to have Ranger back on the PK because that’s where he has done his best work for this team.
I think I’d try switching Raymond off the second PP unit for either of Clarkson or Kulemin. Raymond is a third skilled guy to go along with Kadri and Lupul, whereas Clarkson or Kulemin would do the dirty work in front of the net and retrieve the puck when it’s lost. Far too often this Raymond-Kadri-Lupul is just guilty of playing too cute with the man advantage, but adding a net and board presence really changes the dynamic of the unit.
I think I’d keep Clarkson on the Kadri line. They were beginning to get rolling last week and I do think Clarkson can add something to that line. Raymond-Bolland-Kulemin flashed potential in their brief stint together and Bodie has probably claimed L4 RW for now, while McClement isn’t coming off if he’s healthy; that leaves Holland, Smith, Ashton and the enforcers fighting for the final roster spot if everyone’s available to play. This is a good problem to have.
and another tidbit:
When the Leafs played the Devils almost a month ago, New Jersey elected not to dress their superheavyweight Cam Janssen even though the Leafs were dressing theirs. Last week the Panthers elected not to dress their heavyweight, Krys Barch, against the Leafs. We keep saying this, but teams simply do not engage the Leafs anymore. They aren’t even dressing their heavyweights now. Now, note that Colton Orr has been healthy scratched two games in a row. It’s only two games, so it’s hard to get a true read on it, but it’s something to monitor moving forward. As the Leafs get healthy now, it will be interesting to see what they do with their lines.
So waive McLaren dammit!!
