Leafs lose to the Habs: Quick hits on the current Leaf line-up

My game comments will be brief.  The Leafs lost a game that was up for grabs—really up for grabs.  It was not, for me, anyway, one of the more inspiring mid-season Leaf-Hab encounters in recent memory.  I expected more from the Leafs.  Set aside that they are fighting for playoff positioning.  They were (again) well rested, at home.  It was a Saturday night, against their oldest rival—on Hockey Night in Canada.

Price was good, sure, but much of the night he didn’t have to be unbelievable.

Schenn was back to playing low minutes (11).  Lupul was minus 3 on the night—meaning he has been a minus player in four of his last five games.

To the good, that was a sweet goal by Lombardi.

But will Phaneuf have anything left in the tank (about 28 minutes Saturday night) when they need him down the stretch?

Did Kulemin play? (You know what I mean…)

I know I’m in the minority, but could we use “tweener” third-liners like Stalberg or Versteeg now?  (I know Versteeg wanted a bigger role here, but….)


Monster made some big saves, but my guess is we see Reimer Monday night.

****

I've been wanting to get your thoughts on the current Maple Leaf roster.  To kick things off, I'll provide a kind of "first thing that comes to mind" approach when assessing what each player brings to the table.  I don't suggest this is anywhere near an in-depth profile.

James Reimer- long-term is the most important thing here, not necessarily what’s happening for him right now.  If you believe he can play—and I do—think future, if you’re Leaf management.

Jonas Gustavsson- before he was finally allowed to play a run of games, I’ve posted here often that Monster would be better off being set free to play—with confidence— elsewhere, where he might be better supported and appreciated.  But if he can truly find his niche here—and the brass really does believes in him—that works, too.

Dion Phaneuf- rambunctious guy who usually makes his presence felt. Plays big minutes, has the booming shot.  Makes mistakes but still growing as a player.  A real leader?  Still early to say.

Carl Gunnarsson- finesse player with smarts.  Steady.  Usually makes whatever partner he plays with better. Not a perfect “d” man but I think he will get better.  Should be a keeper, though I know not everyone feels that way.

Keith Aulie- my guess is, while Aulie seems to be all legs and arms at times, we will like him more in three or four years, if Leaf management is patient enough to wait out his development.

Jake Gardiner- hard not to think his upside is indeed, as we have said here (and I’m sure it’s been said many other places) Scott Niedermayer-like.  Smooth and calm are the words that come to mind.  He’ll start to be a big-time point-producer, too, over time.

Mike Komisarek- not many guys with a bigger heart, will be interesting to see if he can handle big minutes/shutdown role if/as needed.

Luke Schenn- hard to believe he is already in his fourth season.  My fear is that if he is ever moved, we will bemoan the loss of physical play at the back end, and some day will be seeking a defenseman just like him.

Cody Franson- Probably a better all-around defenseman than we were led to believe.  Can skate just fine, more physical than I thought, though he can be vulnerable in his own zone.  Can blast it from the point or get a quick wrister off, often low and dangerous.

John-Michael Liles- I really liked him when he first came up with Colorado and I think he has played pretty well at times with the Leafs.  He can skate, pass and make plays.  If he can get back healthy, I look forward to seeing him down the stretch.

Phil Kessel- we all see the skill set.  This season has been a mini-breakthrough.  But for me, the real test will come next season (what does he do for an encore?) and when the Leafs—and he, as the go-to guy—face the playoff spotlight.

Joffrey Lupul-   he is probably playing the best hockey of his career, though I say that with not enough knowledge of the younger, healthier Lupul.  Smart, skilled.  He’s not the best defensive forward on the squad.  What comes next?

Tyler Bozak- has speed, skill, is a creative passer, good on face-offs.  Young and talented.  Management has to determine what his ceiling is.  I think it’s fairly high but not everyone agrees.

Mikhail Grabovski- He seems to have that little extra step in the last while.  Shifty, determined, even feisty at times, though more so last season.  Has had a hard time providing an encore to last year’s coming-out party.  Will he be a playoff performer?

Clarke MacArthur- one guy that I’m still not sure what he is.  Skates better than I give him credit for.  Can finish.  I just don’t know what to make of him.

Nik Kulemin- a year ago I was convinced he was maybe their most consistent all-around forward, because of his size, skating, defensive accountability and offensive production.  Still believe all that.  Has shown flashes this season but not a lot of consistent offense.

David Steckel- we know he’s good in the face-off circle, but don’t you have to do more than that?  Can skate a bit.  Doesn’t provide a lot of offense.  Still not sure he’s a long-term fit here.

Matthew Lombardi- speed has always been his game.  If you just saw a highlight reel of Lombardi’s best plays, you’d say the guy was an impact player.  As it is, he has moments, but is too often invisible to me.

Mike Brown- some grit, plays hard.  Has speed and can make offensive contributions.  I guess the question for me is:  is he as good or better than other good teams’ third and fourth-line guys?

Nazem Kadri-  everybody seems to love his skill level.  Personally, I’m still waiting to see it on a consistent basis.  In fairness, he’s awfully young and you have to believe he will get better with time.  It just feels like a slow developing movie plot.  (I think he is so pre-occupied with what his coaches are telling him, we’re not seeing what he can do…)

Darryl Boyce- I love his story, and the route he took to get to the NHL.  I’ll never criticize a guy who stayed with it long enough, the way he did,  to make it to the NHL.

Joey Crabb-  Crabb shows some sweet moves at times and is a nice third-line player.  My difficulty is not with Crabb—more that the Leafs have too many guys in his category, that is, “bottom-three” forwards in a league that even the Leafs admit is going to a “top-nine” approach.

Colby Armstrong- I know he’s a popular Leaf.  He’s an agitator, yes.  I’m not sure that he is more than just another third-line player.

I'll keep saying it.  The Leafs have every opportunity to make the playoffs in the Eastern Conference. But I'll want to see more grit, more team toughness, somebody to step up and play with real passion.  They play  pretty hard most nights, but there has to be more in the tank, doesn't there?  You have to hate to lose, right?

Again, these are just quick thoughts.  I look forward to reading any  opinions you might have.