Abelimages/Getty Images
It's easy to switch up the lines when things aren't going well for a hockey club, though for some of the players on the Toronto Maple Leafs, new linemates just aren't working out.
It's time they were given a stern message about their poor play; improve or you're watching from the press box.
Certain players on the Leafs, of which will be named, have been almost invisible throughout the team's recent games, and with Ron Wilson exhausting multiple line combinations to no avail, it may be time to send a shock through the team and call down to the Marlies.
Players like Matt Stajan, Rickard Wallin, and Jason Blake have played well at times, but have been overall major disappointments so far.
Through 16 games, Blake has just two goals, and with his shot total matching the number on his back, his shooting percentage is less than four percent. With Blake's cap hit at $4 million this season, you can bet the men in suits are not happy, and neither are the fans.
Basically, the only beneficial thing Blake has done all season is boost opposing goalies' save percentages—which I'm sure they appreciate.
Even playing alongside Phil Kessel, who has as many goals as Blake in four games, he doesn't seem to be finding the back of the net any easier. In the team's 5-2 loss to Minnesota earlier in the week, Blake was taken off the top line and replaced with Niklas Hagman for long stretches in the game. A direct message sent his way, but one that didn't seem to work.
It hasn't been working for Stajan, either, who has been relegated to fourth line duty and is averaging about 13 minutes a game over the last three. After a strong start from the 25-year-old, he has gone 12 games without a goal and is a minus eight.
Wilson has made his attempts at bringing Stajan's game back to life, but playing alongside Colton Orr and Wayne Primeau don't seem to be the answer. You could even argue it's hurting the toughness factor of the line, seeing as the toughest thing Stajan's ever done is switch from a regular toothbrush to an electric one; don't hurt yourself, kid.
Then there is Mr. Wallin, the soft-spoken 29-year-old who looks more like a violinist than a hockey player. He finds himself creeping ever so close to being completely useless as a member of the team. Through 16 games he has two assists, or to put a different spin on how bad it's been; in 2002 with the Wild he participated in four games and had more goals then.
He also has more games played (16) then shots on net (14) thus far, and I know he's meant to be a defensive forward, but come on Rickard, it's time to step it up or step aside.
Even on defense, where things are improving, Wilson should have his guys know that one more poor effort and he'll be sitting players in the stands rather than at the end of the bench. Luke Schenn and Francois Beauchemin have had their struggles this season and it's almost as if they feel they can get away with it because if they haven't been scratched yet, why would they be now?
It's time for Wilson to say goodbye to Mr. Nice Guy and get tough on his players. No more dodge ball at practice, he needs to have his players dodging questions from the media about why they're wearing a suit and tie instead of being on the ice.
The Leafs have been far too inconsistent this season and it can't go on any longer. If this team wants to play meaningful games late in the season, Wilson needs to start handing out healthy scratches like they're going out of style.
And there is plenty of young talent on the Toronto Marlies just itching to get a chance back up with the big boys.
Christian Hanson has been the best player on the Marlies this season and would undoubtedly look good in a Leafs uniform right now. Through 12 games he has five goals and 13 points and is proving himself to be a leader of his team.
He played a short stint with the Leafs last season and looked good with room for improvement, but at this point it wouldn't hurt to bring him up for a few games and see how he has progressed while playing heavy minutes in the AHL.
With the lack of goal-scoring from Blake this season, it would be a huge wakeup call if Wilson told him to watch the game from above, while Hanson stepped in to take his position.
We're going to send you the most entertaining Toronto Maple Leafs articles, videos, and podcasts from around the web.
4 Comments
Loading more comments...
This comment and all replies have been deleted This comment has been deleted Undo delete