With the commotion of early summer player movement all but over, hockey fans are entering what is known as the no-man's-land of the sports world—the time of year when nothing is happening.
From mid-July to the beginning of training camps in September, very little tends to take place in the hockey world. Aside from a few contract extensions and coaching changes, it's pretty dull.
Sure, a few second- and third-tier free agents will find new homes, and that will satisfy our craving for hockey news for about 15 minutes. But that's not enough to tide over our ravenous hockey appetites.
Despite all this, the Toronto Maple Leafs clearly are not finished. They can't be, because they've got far too many forwards and defensemen on their roster. Unless they want to risk losing several NHL-caliber players on waivers and take roster spots away from young prospects, the Leafs need to move a few players out.
Today we'll look at the logjam up front, examining the role of each forward and deciding which ones should be shipped out. Tomorrow, we'll tackle the blueline.
Assuming Mats Sundin doesn't return, I've sorted Toronto's forwards into five categories:
Guaranteed top six
Nik Antropov, Jason Blake, Alex Steen, Jiri Tlusty
These are the players who will undoubtedly be penciled into offensive roles, due to their production, experience, or sheer talent.
Antropov finds himself in uncharted territory—if Sundin is gone, Nik will be the leader of the Leafs' offense. That scares some people, but it could be exactly the kind of environment he'll thrive in.
Antropov has been mentored by Sundin for a long time, and has picked up a lot of his habits. With Mats gone, Antro could step it up in his absence. He obviously plays much better at pivot, and his playmaking ability plays well to the role of first-line centre.
Blake is a wild card. Whether it was due to the effects of cancer, a fishbowl atmosphere, or simply age, he clearly struggled last season. His 52 points still rank second among returning forwards, but most of those were assists. With Antropov setting him up, Blake could pot 25-30 goals this season.
Steen, meanwhile, is an intriguing case. With Paul Maurice casting him in a defensive role the last two seasons, many have forgotten about his offensive ability.
The checking experiment worked, as Steen is arguably the Leafs' best two-way player and penalty killer—but it's time to let him unleash his offensive potential. Whether it's on the first or second line, Steen could flirt with the 60-point mark this season.
On the other hand, Tlusty is not a lock for top-six minutes, though he's pretty close. He didn't exactly impress last year, with 16 points in 58 games—but he did that on 11 minutes a game.
If given more ice time and decent linemates, the Czech is a good bet to approach the 35-40 point range this year. With his shot, 20 goals is not out of the question.
I'd like to see him play with fast players like Mikhail Grabovski and Nikolai Kulemin, but we'll see how it plays out.
Versatile speedsters
Mikhail Grabovski, Niklas Hagman, Nikolai Kulemin, Matt Stajan
This group is comprised of young, fast players with offensive ability who could be slotted anywhere from the first line to the third. The grit and defensive ability of the latter three means that they could fit in just about anywhere.
The word on Grabovski is that he has to play on the top two lines to be effective. A very fast player with great hands and lots of skill, Grabby has just 27 NHL games under his belt.
He tends to be knocked off the puck easily, so his contribution to the Leafs this season remains to be seen. But if he can find a home on the second line with some fast, big linemates, he could put up around 35 points.
Hagman defines the word versatile. Another fast player with lots of grit who is smart defensively, he's basically a poor man's Jere Lehtinen (with less finish).
Hagman's coming off a 27-goal season, which means he could play on the first line. But it's more likely he forms part of a two-way checking unit with offensive ability. Look for the Finn to see lots of time on the PK as well.
Kulemin comes to the NHL with a decorated Russian resumé and a reputation as a very balanced player. A speedy sniper who loves to hit, he can also take care of his own end and kill penalties.
The second line seems like the most probable fit for Kulemin, though his gritty side could land him on the third unit. Or, if he has a good camp, he might even find himself taking passes from Antropov on the first line.
Oh, Matt Stajan, how I love thee. Equally praised and maligned by Leafs fans, Stajan has established himself as one of the team's best defensive forwards and penalty killers, and he isn't devoid of scoring ability either.
He's done quite well as the third-line centre and will probably start there this season, but depending on training camp, there's a chance he could leapfrog guys like Grabovski and Kulemin on the depth chart. Consistency and a better shot seem to be all that's holding Stajan back from becoming an offensive threat.
Guaranteed role players
Jamal Mayers, Dominic Moore
Mayers' acquisition from St. Louis at the draft is an instant infusion of leadership, grit, and accountability. He is the consummate grinder, and it's safe to say he will be a fixture on the Leafs' third line all season long.
With a career high of 27 points (last year), Mayers knows his role and knows it well. Players like Stajan and Kulemin could learn a lot from him.
Moore, meanwhile, turned a lot of heads with his smart, heads-up play after being plucked off waivers at midseason. He showed a bit of offensive skill too, posting 14 points in 38 games.
Moore is a steady checking centre who could play the third line if Toronto didn't have so many centres, but will likely find himself centering the fourth unit.
Fighting for jobs
Mark Bell, Boyd Devereaux, Ryan Hollweg, Alexei Ponikarovsky
It's strange to see Poni fighting for a roster spot after spending some time on the top line the past couple of years, but he simply hasn't improved to the point where he deserves a top-six spot. And with the abundance of youngsters and grinders in the Leafs' forward corps, he may be squeezed out of the bottom six too.
It's not a question of whether Ponikarovsky can make the team in a fourth-line role; that shouldn't be a problem. The question is whether it's worth it for the Leafs to have him play seven or eight minutes a game.
He'd fetch the highest return of all the excess forwards (probably a third rounder), and at $2.24 million, he also makes the most money. And playing him on the fourth line takes away a roster spot from a young player like Robbie Earl or Jeremy Williams.
Bell's time in prison will be finished by the time camp rolls around, but he wasn't exactly impressive last season, other than his hits on Daniel Alfredsson and Mike Fisher in Game 81. He's likely to spend a lot of time in the press box to make way for a younger player, since it's hard to see anyone wanting him at $2 million per season.
Devereaux, meanwhile, has a decent chance at sticking on the fourth line because of his speed and grit. He's a very good energy player who can score the odd goal as well. He's found chemistry with Steen and Stajan in the past—but unless he blows management away at training camp, he's not likely to play higher than the fourth line.
Hollweg was brought in to tick off opposing players and to act as a partial enforcer. I say partial because he's not a very good fighter. He'll split his time between playing four minutes a game and sitting in the press box. He'll likely dress for about 50 games.
Marlies with a very small window of opportunity
Robbie Earl, John Mitchell, Jeremy Williams
You've gotta feel for these young players. They've patiently awaited their chance to play on the big club for years, getting the odd call-up here and there—but always getting stuck in the numbers game.
Now that the parent club is rebuilding, they'll get their shot, right? Wrong, apparently.
Unless at least two or three players are moved, none of these guys have a realistic shot at regular ice time, even on the fourth line. And that's assuming Sundin doesn't come back.
Earl, who is quite possibly as fast as the speed of light, saw nine games in a late-season cameo with the Leafs. He put up just one assist, but his energy and aggressiveness around the net impressed observers. He also showed a very strong chemistry with Dominic Moore.
But even if a few vets are moved, Earl would have to outshine both Mitchell and Williams to get a spot. He's spent two seasons in the AHL and one more shouldn't hurt him, especially since he'll get first-line minutes.
Mitchell hasn't played at the NHL level yet, but he had an outstanding training camp last year, showcasing his size, defensive game and face-off ability. He's played three seasons in the AHL, posting 51 points last year.
This is a player who deserves the chance to show what he can do—but again, he's stuck in a numbers crunch unless a few guys are traded.
Williams, meanwhile, has been pushing for regular playing time for quite a while—he's had several cups of coffee with the big club recently. The right winger scored goals in each of his first three NHL games—which were played in three separate seasons.
In an 18-game stint with Toronto late last season, he potted just two goals, but that was done on seven minutes a game. If he does make the team, this will be Williams' make-or-break season. If he can't display a scoring touch on a consistent basis, the Leafs may decide to part ways with him.
Last week, Cliff Fletcher said that both Mitchell and Williams were in the team's plans, and both were introduced at a press conference announcing a ticket giveaway.
Whether that means they will play this season or at some point in the future, we don't know—what we do know is that Williams has to clear waivers to be sent to the AHL, and there would likely be several claims.
Who should go?
As outlined above, Ponikarovsky would fetch the most return of the players on the bubble, and he carries the biggest salary. He'd go for at least a third-round pick and open up a spot for Williams or Mitchell at the same time.
Moving out one forward won't be enough, though. Next would be Bell, though it's hard to imagine any team taking him on at $2 million a season. That gives Toronto three options:
- Sit him in the press box as the 13th or 14th forward.
- Send him to the AHL and let him try to rediscover his game with the Marlies.
- Send him down and bring him back up on re-entry waivers, hoping someone would take him for one year at $1 million.
The last option isn't too far-fetched, since he does have a lot of grit and wouldn't be much of a gamble for a team with some cap space.
If Bell can't be moved, Devereaux would be the next guy on the list. Let's hope it doesn't come to that, though, because Devo wouldn't fetch a whole lot in a trade and he's a useful energy player. It's never a bad thing to have someone with speed these days.
Ideal lineup:
Blake-Antropov-Steen
Tlusty-Grabovski-Kulemin
Hagman-Stajan-Mayers
Mitchell-Moore-Williams
Spares: Devereaux, Hollweg
Easy as pie!
Check in tomorrow as Josh pares down the Leafs' blueline.
comments (18) write a comment »
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2 months ago
ponikarovsky could absolutely make the team if he is consistent...thats a big if though
from 2 months ago
Definitely he can make the team, that's not the issue. Like I mentioned, it's whether the Leafs would be better off to have a cheaper, younger player in his spot and get a pick back for him.
from 2 months ago
Definitely he can make the team, that's not the issue. Like I mentioned, it's whether the Leafs would be better off to have a cheaper, younger player in his spot and get a pick back for him.
2 months ago
Josh this is strange because I was just thinking about this today—I couldn't believe how the forward corps looked! Needless to say I still can't figure out Hollweg...I hate to jump on him before he ever plays a game for the Leafs, but I don't think I can wrap my head fully around this move.
Either way, I'd like to see Earl up at some point this year, and I think Bell will be here to stay (at least for the forseeable future). Seems like Fletch wants to see if putting his past in the past changes his game at all.
I for one really hope he comes back and makes an impact—I've always wanted to see him do well.
BT
from 2 months ago
Yeah, I'm not all that opposed to Bell staying, it's just that we have to move someone. If we only had 13 or 14 forwards, I'd be all for keeping him.
As for Earl, he'll definitely be one of the first callups.
2 months ago
Nice review of the information. I agree with possibly trading Poni. Do you really thing Devereau will be a spare compared to Williams/Mitchell?
2 months ago
first of all, anyone who devotes that much time and energy into the Leafs, must be either a die-hard leaf fan, or simply someone with a lot of time to ramble on. Growing up less than an hour from T.O I have been subjected to years of lack-luster teams(with the exception of the '93 Leafs that had the gritty Dougie Gilmour). So, forgive me if I think the Leafs are just another storied franchise gone to shi%
2 months ago
Nice article Josh! I too would like to see Poni traded. As for Bell, I agree with Bryan: part of me really wants Bell to be given a second chance to see if he can get back to the player he was thought to be when he was drafted. He seems set on turning his life around, and usually that means giving your all and trying to prove yourself. So I say give him a chance, and if he's just terrible after a month or so, then put him on waivers as you've suggested.
2 months ago
Don't forget about Ben Ondrus. He should be in the Fighting for a job category. And also, Mark Bell will be a guaranteed role player, I think anyways.
from 2 months ago
Good call Rob, I'd forgotten about Ondrus. He'd definitely be #4 on the depth chart behind Williams, Earl and Mitchell though. Unless a guy like Hollweg goes down.
2 months ago
Blake better not be getting 1st line minutes.
If we are rebuilding, than Blake should be getting 3rd line minutes. Tops.
from 2 months ago
Agreed.
2 months ago
I concur, Blake is worth 3rd line minutes tops.
2 months ago
I don't think you keep blake off the top line. too much potential to demoralize your team if you put a top skilled player on a third line. i also think poni is going to be in the mix. he's a consistent ~20 goal scorer. i don't think you want to see a tlusty - graby - kulemin line, too much inexperience there, and one of tlusty or kulemin should absolutely be on the top line. steen should not. sorry, i really don't see him as a top line forward. bell i think might see time on the 4th line. he can hit and may mesh well with mayers.
i love guessing at line combos. here's mine.
blake antro kulemin (i say let this kid get as much ice time as possible!!)
poni grabovsky tlusty (graby needs a big winger if he's weak on the puck)
hagman stajan steen (i know you all want steen and stajan to be higher up, but this could be a great 2-way line)
mayers moore bell/hollweg
i'd love to see earl and williams in there from the get go, but you will have injuries. the leafs have some nice depth for when that happens.
from 2 months ago
Interesting Mark...
I agree that if you give Blake crappy minutes, things will just get ugly. At least give him a chance to produce. As for a Tlusty-Grabby-Kulemin line, I'm not really concerned about inexperience. After all, this year is about giving the young guys that experience, right? Plus, it gives Grabby two big (not huge, but big) wingers, and two goalscorers he can set up.
As for Steen, maybe it's just because I'm a huge fan of him, but he has more than earned his stripes IMO. He's excelled in a checking role without getting much of a shot at producing. It's time to give him that chance. I know a lot of people are down on his offense because he hasn't put up numbers the last couple of years, but that's because he was in a defensive role. He's got unquestionable skill and the hockey smarts to use it.
from 2 months ago
Giving Blake a chance to produce does not mean first line minutes, if it was up to me he would be as good as gone.
He is the excact opposite of what we want on this team; old, bad team guy, too much salary.
let him rot on the 3rd line/PP2, until we are done with him.
from 2 months ago
If you think he's a bad team guy now, it would get much worse by giving him crappy minutes. The Toronto media would pounce on it and he'd become a huge distraction. May as well give him a chance to become a positive contributing member of the team, now that the initial shock of cancer and playing in Toronto has probably worn off.
Besides, guys like Hagman and Mayers are tailor-made for the third line. If you stick Blake there, you're throwing a wrench into the mechanics of the lines.
2 months ago
I can see putting Blake on the second line to give someone like Kulemin or Tlusty more ice time, but that's as far as I'd go.
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