Ritter's Rant: Can the Leafs Find A Centre This Offseason?

Written By: Mark “The Hard Hitter” Ritter

The Montreal Canadiens seem to be in the middle of a goaltending controversy.

Here’s the skinny—Jaroslav Halak has started 23 games, posting a record of 14-8-1 with three shutouts, a goals against average of 2.43 and a save percentage of .927. Comparatively, Carey Price has started 32 games, posting a record of 11-17-4 with no shutouts, a GAA of 2.73 and a SV percent of .913.

Am I the only one who doesn’t see a controversy here? Given the numbers, Jarolsav Halak should be the Canadiens goaltender of the future, not the often moody and inconsistent Price.

Sure, Price has more cache than Halak on the trade market, but why would you want a goalie that seems to have a chip on his shoulder and inferior statistics to boot? If the “Price” is right, the Canadiens should ship Carey out of town.

Not only are the Washington Capitals 9-1-0 in their past 10 games and just two points out of first overall in the league, the Capitals also boast seven of the top 20 players in plus/minus rating.

Alex Ovechkin leads the way with a league-best +32, followed by teammate Jeff Schultz, who is the leagues highest rated defenseman at +27. Nicklas Backstrom +23 (8th), Mike Green +22 (11th), Alexander Semin +20 (14th), Eric Fehr +18 (16th) and Brendan Morrison +18 (17th), round out a very impressive lineup that may very well be the best in the NHL.

San Jose Sharks forward Patrick Marleau is currently leading the NHL in scoring with 35 goals, comparatively, the Vancouver Canucks Henrik Sedin leads the League in points with 76. Well boys, it’s been nice while it’s lasted, it says here Alex Ovechkin—who sits second overall in both categories with 34 goals and 73 points respectively, will be number one in both categories within a week.

As everyday passes, it’s looking more and more as if the Phoenix Coyotes 2007 first round draft pick (third overall), Kyle Turris, is a bust. Through 46 games with the San Antonio Rampage of the AHL, Turris has registered nine goals and 26 points. Is this the year the Coyotes consider trading the young centre?

Do you think Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke had to hold back his laughter when Jamal Mayers’ agent called him up and suggested it was time for Mayers to move on from the Blue and White?

Mayers, who has just one goal and five points to go along with his -7 rating, through 42 games, would be lucky to get picked up by a KHL team, never mind another NHL team. I said it earlier this year, I’ll say it again, thanks for the memories Mr. Mayers, but it’s time to hang ‘em up!

Keeping with the Leafs, if Burke wants to add a first line centre via free agency this summer the pickings will be slim. Sure, Patrick Marleau will be available, but you have to think he’d check out other options before he’d ever consider joining the Leafs. Olli Jokinen is also available—but the Leafs have enough underachievers already, so scratch that...

That leaves the likes of Saku Koivu—who is all but finished, Chris Higgins—who is not a first line player, Mike Comrie—see Higgins comments and elder statesmen, such as, Mike Modano—who will probably retire, John Madden—career third liner, Doug Weight—too old, and Toronto’s own Matt Stajan—a player that is destined to be a second or third liner his entire career.

The only logical signing would be Montreal Canadiens centre Tomas Plekanec. Plekanec, who has 13 goals and 39 assists through 55 games with the Canadiens this season, would be a great fit with Leafs sniper Phil Kessel.

A Plekanec-Kessel duo would be a formidable one, one that Burke could build an offense around. That said, a Plekanec signing would be a risky one, especially if he is commanding $5-6 million a year on a long-term deal.

On another note—for all you Leaf fans out there that are holding onto hope that Brian Burke will somehow turn the likes of Alexei Ponikarovsky, Niklas Hagman, Lee Strempniak or Matt Stajan into a first round draft pick, think again.

The only way the Leafs could possibly acquire a first round draft pick would be to ask defenseman Tomas Kaberle to waive his no-trade clause, something that Brian Burke continually insists he will not do.

Every NHL team understands the value of building through the draft. As such, the odds of Toronto stealing a first round draft choice from another team is slim to none. Sorry Leaf fans, the rebuild is going to be painful to watch, especially if the Boston Bruins end up with a top five pick at this years draft...

What it all means is that IF the Leafs are going to improve dramatically, they will likely need to do it from within the organization or through trades—two areas the Leafs have historically been challenged in. Then again, there’s always the draft....never mind....

Until next time,

Peace!