Come to Maple Leafs practice today and you might see Rickard Wallin, Wayne Primeau or even Darryl Sittler centring Phil Kessel.
That seems to be the coach Ron Wilson's state of mind about trying new people with the talented right winger, whose career 10-shot night in Tuesday's impressive debut opens up a world of possibilities for the goal-starved club.
A day after saying he'd be patient with Matt Stajan in the role, giving he and Kessel some time to create sparks, Wilson put John Mitchell with Kessel and left winger Jason Blake. Wilson saw something in the closing minutes when Mitchell and Kessel were paired.
"I like the way Mitchy played last night ... his speed matches up," Wilson said at the MasterCard Centre. "It's about finishing your opportunities. He's been on the ice for a lot of goals for (a better plus-minus than Stajan, who has two more points). I'm just experimenting, nothing more, nothing less."
If Stajan was taken aback by the quick switch and the inference he's not as quick as Mitchell, he was diplomatic about it.
"Well ... I think this game changes every day," Stajan said. "All we can do is go out the first shift next game try to score and get back where you were.
Fredrik Sjostrom, LW/RW
2010/09/02: Fredrik Sjostrom might be available at the start of training camp after undergoing a shoulder operation this off-season. He is reportedly ahead of schedule in his recovery, but Toronto GM Brian Burke said the team would not rush him back before he is ready. We'll keep you posted on his status, but he has no fantasy value. (Source: Ottawa Sun)
Christian Hanson, RW/C
2010/08/31: The Toronto Maple Leafs have agreed to terms with restricted free agent Christian Hanson. Hanson scored two goals and registered five assists in 31 games last season. He should battle for a spot on Toronto's opening day roster. (Source: Sportsnet.ca)
Clarke MacArthur, LW
2010/08/30: Leafs GM Brian Burke expects Clarke MacArthur to spend a significant amount of time on one of Toronto's top two lines. MacArthur inked a one-year/$1.1 million deal with the Maple Leafs after Atlanta walked away from an arbitrator awarded one-year/$2.4 million deal. He scored 16 goals and 35 points in 81 games last season, but he still has some offensive upside. If he spends the majority of the season serving as a top-six forward, we think he can score 20-25 goals and 40-50 points. (Source: Toronto Star)
Clarke MacArthur, LW
2010/08/28: The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed forward Clarke MacArthur to a one-year deal. The contract is worth $1.1 million. Last season MacArthur scored 16 goals and 19 assists in 81 games (split between Buffalo and Atlanta). He will contend for a top-six forward spot withe Maple Leafs. He will be valuable in fantasy pools if he can secure a spot on the Leafs' power play. (Source: TSN.ca)
Matt Lashoff, D
2010/08/27: Matt Lashoff will join a crowded blueline in Toronto this season after being dealt to the Maple Leafs on Friday for minor-leaguers Alex Berry and Stefano Giliati. He played the majority of last season with the Tampa's AHL affiliate in Norfolk, where he posted eight goals, 24 points and 105 penalty minutes in 68 games. Lashoff will likely begin the 2010-11 campaign in the minors with the Toronto Marlies. (Source: TSN.ca)
Jonas Gustavsson, G
2010/08/21: Goalie Jonas Gustavsson is doing whatever he can to avoid the dreaded "sophomore jinx". "The second season can be dangerous because not everything is new and exciting in the same way it was (when you are a rookie)," Gustavsson said. "You sometimes have to fight a bit more to find that same energy." The Monster should be more relaxed this year, understanding exactly how North American hockey works. He could be a sleeper pick in fantasy if he can re-gain his Pre-NHL, European form. (Source: Toronto Sun)
Tomas Kaberle, D
2010/08/20: The father of Maple Leafs' defenseman Tomas Kaberle believes his son will be traded during the 2010-11 season. "I think that during the course of the year he will be traded to another club," said Frantisek Kaberle Sr. "There is only one chance for Toronto to get something back in return for Tomas now. In my opinion, I can't see Tomas entering a new contract with the Toronto. Not if Ron Wilson continues to be employed there ... I cannot imagine how he will get along with coach Wilson, who relies primarily on aggression and stress. That's not Tomas, he's a technical type of defender." If Kaberle does end up being moved then he will have to go to Toronto GM Brian Burke himself with a list of teams because Burke has been steadfast in his claim that he will not ask the offensive rearguard to waive his no-trade clause. Look for stories like this to arise frequently throughout the year. (Source: Calgary Sun)
Tomas Kaberle, D
2010/08/16: The Toronto Maple Leafs were unable to find a trading partner for Tomas Kaberle prior to his no trade clause taking effect again. "While a number of clubs made offers to trade for Tomas, none of them reflected Tomas's value to our team," said GM Brian Burke in a statement. "I understand a period like this is stressful to the player, and we are pleased that there is a resolution, and we can all continue to prepare for the coming season." If the Leafs want to move Kaberle at some point during the 2010-11 campaign they will need his approval. He has one year left on his current deal with Toronto and could end up walking away as an unrestricted free agent next summer. (Source: TSN.ca)
Tomas Kaberle, D
2010/08/15: Toronto GM Brian Burke believes that New Jersey and Los Angeles could both have been potential landing spots for Tomas Kaberle if not for the Ilya Kovalchuk contract situation. Burke said "I think both teams that were involved - and I'm not going to say that they are interested or were interested or would be - but I suspect that both teams involved in the Kovalchuk situation would have been more involved in this. The window to trade Kaberle is closing so Burke will need some eleventh hour magic if he's going to deal the defender before midnight on Sunday. (Source: The Bergen Record)
Tomas Kaberle, D
2010/08/13: Toronto GM Brian Burke is still waiting for an offer to jump on in the ongoing Tomas Kaberle trade talk. "It's too early to say. I know it sounds crazy because the deadline is midnight on Sunday, but the simple fact is we haven't received an offer yet (worth acting on)," said Burke while on Toronto radio station the FAN 590. "We're not going to see everybody's best cards until the last couple of days anyhow, so I'm not surprised we don't have anything that we would take yet, so we'll see what happens." We'll keep you posted, but expect Burke to pull the trigger close to the deadline when he believes the potential offers will improve. (Source: TSN.ca)
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Re: Mitchell gets shot at centring Kessel, Blake (Score: 1) by dumbassdoorman(hahahaha@habssuck.ca) on Thursday, November 05 (User Info | Send a Message)
Ok, I am a Leaf fan and I hope we do not have an article posted everytime his linemates change. It doesn't matter who he plays with, he will create offence. His regular linemates will not be known until they either make a trade, sign a UFA or have a young player step up.
id love to get boychuk in there, and move hunwick upfront for a bit. weve recalled lehtonen though. hes not bad but id like to see hamill up instead...oh well
Re: Mitchell gets shot at centring Kessel, Blake (Score: 1) by dumbassdoorman(hahahaha@habssuck.ca) on Thursday, November 05 (User Info | Send a Message)
Hey Finger is replacing Exelby.....why hasn't another psot been started?
Re: Mitchell gets shot at centring Kessel, Blake (Score: 1) by dumbassdoorman(hahahaha@habssuck.ca) on Thursday, November 05 (User Info | Send a Message)
I also heard the regular water boy is down for the count pulled a hammy, apparently it is pretty bad, so they are attempting to trade for another one
Re: Mitchell gets shot at centring Kessel, Blake (Score: 1) by bbruins37(qwerty@hotmail.com) on Thursday, November 05 (User Info | Send a Message)
what does everyone think of the liambis suspension?
it is tragic what happened to fanelli, especially at 16, but i really dont understand the suspension at all.
the hit warrants a suspension for sure, but not a big one at all. i really dont understand why people focus so much on the consequences of the action as opposed to the action itself. if fanelii hadnt been so badly injured, this is barely an issue.
although i do agree somewhat with the commissioner "scaring" players into not being so reckless for the sake of everyone's safety, i dont think doing it at the expense of shooting down the dreams of a young player is the answer.
in my mind the ohl is far too extreme in their suspensions and the nhl is faaaaar too lenient in what they let their players get away with, especially their stars.
Re: Mitchell gets shot at centring Kessel, Blake (Score: 1) by BLUE_AND_WHITE(spam_proof_eh@hotmail.com) on Thursday, November 05 (User Info | Send a Message)
I thought this would end with Pat Quinn...I guess not...
Ron Wilson has to at some point decide that Blake and Mitchel aren't going to get going (surprise surprise)...If you want kessel to be a force, put him with Grabovski and Hagman. Or Tlusty or Bozak..
Re: Mitchell gets shot at centring Kessel, Blake (Score: 1) by mojo19 on Thursday, November 05 (User Info | Send a Message)
Mike Zigomanis has posted 10 points in 5 games since joining the Marlies. Could be a call up sometime soon. I think we could move out Primeau and/or Mayers and easily replace them with Zigomanis.
Early Season Report Card- 13 GP (Score: 1) by lukeleim on Thursday, November 05 (User Info | Send a Message)
Tomas Kaberle: A- Ian White: B+ Jonas Gustavsson: B Niklas Hagman: B Mikhail Grabovski: B- Lee Stempniak: B- Alexei Ponikarovsky: C+ Matt Stajan: C- Colton Orr: C- Wayne Primeau: C- Jamal Mayers: D+ Garnet Exelby: D+ Mike Komisarek: D+ Viktor Stalberg: D+ Luke Schenn: D Jason Blake: D John Mitchell: D Jeff Finger: D Rickard Wallin: D Nikolai Kulemin: D Jay Rosehill: D Francois Beauchemin: D- Vesa Toskala: F Phil Kessel: N/A Tyler Bozak: N/A Jiri Tlusty: N/A
Re: Mitchell gets shot at centring Kessel, Blake (Score: 1) by leafy on Friday, November 06 (User Info | Send a Message)
DYNASTIES
Did you know the NHL officially recognizes 9 dynasties in its history? They are:
* Ottawa Senators of 1919-27 (4 championships in 8 years) 1920, 1921, 1923, 1927 * Toronto Maple Leafs of 1947-51 (4 championships in 5 years) 1947, 1948, 1949, 1951 * Detroit Red Wings of 1950-55 (4 championships in 6 years) 1950, 1952, 1954, 1955 * Montreal Canadiens of 1956-60 (5 consecutive championships) 1956-1960 * Toronto Maple Leafs of 1962-67 (4 championships in 6 years) 1962, 1963, 1964, 1967 * Montreal Canadiens of late 1965-69 (4 championships in 5 years) 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969 * Montreal Canadiens of 1975-79 (4 consecutive championships) 1976-1979 * New York Islanders of 1980-84 (4 consecutive championships) 1980-1983 * Edmonton Oilers of 1984-90 (5 championships in 7 years) 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1990
Re: Mitchell gets shot at centring Kessel, Blake (Score: 1) by Leafs_Benford on Sunday, November 08 (User Info | Send a Message)
I didnt like Mitchelle Centreing Blake and Kessel i think Grabovski is a better fit then Mitchelle or Stajan...hes got the hands and the speed to break through defence and distract them long enough for phil to sneak in from behind the d for grabovski to give the no look behind the back pass for the one timer hes been trying to pull off with Poni...it aint workin. Grabovski also has the speed for a 2 on 1 or 2 on 0 that kessel could use for a sweet passing play to score a goal on a breakaway. But it would also take some time for that line to work, because Grabovski would have to learn that he dosnt have to shoot the puck all the time anymore, cause he has Blake and Kessel who are made for scoring. he also has to figure out a way to finnish his dekes and niice single plays he makes in the oppositions zone...you know where he dangles through the D's legs and trys to look like an OV or a young Jagr...if he could finnish those plays and make the tape to tape passes he should be i think hes the best fit for kessel by far.
also instead of blake put Hagman in there with him...maybe a Stajan,Hagman,Kessel line...or Grabovski instead of stajan. but if u put stajan in there u have someone that can go in the corners, hagman can dangle the puck almost better then anyone on the team, and set up Kessel with some sweet passes while dangleing through the D.
But as for Mitchelle i mean i think hes got some time b4 his Offencive game picks up, he needs to keep working on the stuff that got him on the starting roster. the offence will come sooner or later.
