Everyone I talk to about Jason Blake says that he was a big bust for the Maple Leafs, saying that he didn't do much for them—but let's be honest for a second.
Jason Blake had a good season. He had 15 goals and 37 assists for 52 points. That's nothing to gawk at, but no one seems to realize that.
Everybody just says that, "He didn't score any goals so he didn't contribute anything to the team."
Well guess what? He did.
If nobody noticed, Nik Antropov more than made up for Blake's lack of goals with about 15 more goals then anybody thought he'd get. Also, Blake had 37 assists, which means he was setting up goals for everybody else. Nothing wrong with that by any means.
Plus his gritty and good defensive zone play made him a more than worthy Masterson Award winner (Even though he was plus-four, but in all fairness Kaberle was minus-two).
So whats the problem with Blake then in the eyes of Toronto fans and media?
Simple.
He was signed to score goals.
But the thing that seems to be the problem with Toronto fans is they never look at the positives of a player, they always look at the negatives.
The sad thing is is even though he got 15 goals, he still played solidly throughout the whole year. Always consistent, always moving the puck, always hustling to make a play.
Now isn't the lack thereof something that fans have been complaining about?
Now after all of that, let's ask that same question in the title.
What should the Leafs do with Jason Blake?
Well, they should keep him!
He will get more goals, I guarantee it. Plus his style of play will fit Ron Wilson's system perfectly with his good two-way game and great speed. I could see him on a line with Stajan and Steen just because I think the three of them would mesh perfectly, and the sad thing is is unless he gets another 40 goal season, no one will take this guy seriously on the Toronto Maple Leafs.
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3 months ago
I think Blake played very well for a guy who got diagnosed with cancer just before the season started. He tried to play like it didn't affect him, but how can something like that not affect somebody?
watch for a solid season from mister blake. he's still got excellent speed and a solid work ethic. with tucker hopefully out of the lineup, look for blake to fill in the agitator role, too.
3 months ago
When an entire team is absolutely atrocious, there are no stars. Blake got diagnosed with cancer and still put up over 50 points on a really really terrible team. He'll do ok this year.
3 months ago
Problem with Blake is his goals went down, the amount of shots he took did not. In New York they neeed him to carry the puck because they did not have someone who could do that. In Toronto that did not go over well at all.
He's only getting older and his contract/health make him impossible to trade. Maybe with less expectations he does better in year two.
This was never a first line talent, Yashin got him off to an incredible start that year.
3 months ago
Well, I wish he were back here in NY! I can almost GUARANTEE that he will have a 25 goal season next year. Never count Jason Blake out. He's one to always surprise you. And HEY! NYI fan, he may be getting older, but no one comes to camp in better shape than he does year after year. But if Toronto doesn't want him, I just hope he lands somewhere that I don't need a passport to go watch him. Because he IS always ENTERTAINING.
about 1 month ago
I think Blake will surprise a lot of people this year. He may not put up another 40 goal season but i think he is going to be one of the biggest leaders in the dressing room. The young guys are going to look up to him, he's got speed determination and grit. The leafs current options for C if Mats doesnt come back are shaping up to be Kubina Stajan or Kaberle but i would hope that the leafs give this guy the credit that he brings 100 per cent to the rink each and every night and give him an Alternate and see how many people he impresses. Im hoping that both Mark Bell and Carlo Colaiacovo have great seasons because they both can be future big players on this club if they can stay away from injuries and generate a bit of momentum
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