I think it's fair to say where you hope to see improvements in the upcoming season.
1. Jared Cowen
He didn't have the ideal start to his season last year (holding out) but he's a big d-man and they typically take a little longer to get comfortable anyway. Hopefully he keeps things more simple and play more of a Gryba-style game of pinning guys as opposed to trying to make game-breaking plays.
2. Colin Greening
We've all seen the foot race statistics, why don't we see the blazing speed game after game? Like Nick Foligno, he's only effective if he's forechecking relentlessly and not when he's trying to play a finesse game. If he's still known as the "cyborg" for his physical fitness, let's see that translate to the ice this year. I don't care about scoring goals, I want to see him playing with more puck-pressure and intensity and less coasting down the wing.
3. Erik Karlsson
Put him out on the PK please. It will remind him that the defensive zone is also very important. He has all the tools to be a good PKer, so give him some time out there. If it means cutting down on his ES time, so be it. EK hasn't finished developing so we need to give him opportunities to enhance his play in his own zone. I can understand if he was a bit sheltered due to his injury but hopefully he's moved past that with the off-season of training.
4. JG Pageau
If he gets icetime in the bigs, he's going to have to make it count. Zibanejad made the most of his promotions by having an impact on virtually every shift when he returned to the bigs. If he can make it work with Condra and O'Brien, then I'm expecting the same from Pageau. It might not be fair, but it is what it is. That means balls-out, high-energy shifts.
5. Milan Michalek
I know it's tough because you take a major beating, but you're one of the better guys on the team in front of the net, whether for screening the goalie or tipping pucks. If he doesn't have the same blazing speed anymore, he's going to have to contribute by being our Tomas Holmstrom.
6. Erik Condra
He's a frustrating player (much like Chris Kelly at his worst) because some really great plays can die on the end of his stick. Mainly I'll be looking him to him to hopefully help bring our PK numbers back to respectability. (22nd last year)
7. Chris Neil
Your "3rd liner who can fight" days are over. Play responsible hockey, and make the most of the shifts you do get. Dangles are fun but I think this team doesn't want you doing them. No stupid penalties please. We were last in the NHL by a good margin in Times Shorthanded. We cannot afford that this year.
8. Bobby Ryan
Please please please strengthen your core. We need you for 82 games.
With respect to our goaltending, I do think they got a bit of a raw deal. Everyone likes to point out how bad Toronto's team defence was (30th in the league in shots against), while we were 29th and about 60 shots against short.
We need more hustle from our forwards to pin our opponents in their zone, fewer gaffes from our defence, and more team discipline overall to cut back on the penalties. If we do those things, and our goaltending still struggles, then I'll call them out.
