As a new season approaches in Toronto, they have a lot of young and old talent to look out for. Some played last year and some didn't. Some even played for different teams last year. Here are the top 10 players to watch in the 2008-'09 NHL season:
10. No. 19 Dominic Moore
Last year Moore was claimed of waivers during the Maple Leafs west coast swing. He scored just five goals and 12 assists, however the Maple Leafs always seemed to have more energy in their step whenever he was in the lineup.
9. No. 55 Jason Blake
Blake came over as a free agent from the NY Islanders and didn't even have half as many goals as the season before (40 in 2006-2007 and 15 in 2007-2008). However what a lot of people don't realize is that he was 4th on the Maple Leafs in scoring.
8. No. # Nikolai Kulemin
Nik Kulemin should make his NHL debut this season under new head coach Ron Wilson this season. However you may end up seeing him split the season between the Toronto Marlies and Toronto Maple Leafs because there is always the risk that he may not do well.
7. No. 32 Alex Foster
Foster played in his first NHL last season and over three game didn't score a point. Alex Foster may be in the NHL next season but as an 'extra' which is when he is normally a healthy scratch waiting until there is an injury so he can get a spot in the lineup.
6. No. 14 Matt Stajan
Matt Stajan may very well become the Maple Leafs captain next season. Stajan does a lot of interviews, which is just what you need with a captain, and with the way things look the Maple Leafs 9th leading scorer last year may very well play on the top line.
5. No. 36 Anton Stralman
Last year Stralman played just over half the season (50 games) with three goals and six assists for nine points. He should play a full season this year in Toronto if a spot in the lineup remains open.
4. No. 7 Ian White
The only reason that Ian White cracks this list is because he may end up being a healthy scrach. With defensmen like McCabe, Kaberle, Stralman, Kubina, and the newlyh signed Jeff Finger, he and Carlo Colaiacovo may be splitting time.
3. No. 80 Nik Antropov
Antropov is coming off of a great season that saw him score a career high in goals (26), assists (30) and points (56). Antropov should be the Leafs leading scorer if Sundin isn't around in TO next year.
2. No. 31 Pavel Kubina
Last year Pavel had a comeback second half. Maybe this year he can have a comeback SEASON, which would re-gain my respect for Pavel Kubina.
1. No. # Luke Schenn
I'm sure that everyone knew that Schenn would be first on my list. If Luke Schenn plays in the NHL this season, he will be known as the NHL's Human eraser. It should be a great rookie season no matter when that season is for Luke Schenn.
10 comments Last one added 11 months ago — Leave a Comment
Lee Denault 11 months ago
Where is Hagman, where is Frogren, where is Grabovski, where is Tlusty?... Jeremy Williams?.....Kulemin 8th?
I really think this topic has potential. but i think the list needs some work.
if Schenn is on the list shouldn't Pogge be as well?
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Lukas 11 months ago
Well I thought about Pogge but they already have Joseph and Toskala, I think that Pogge will be on the list next year. As for Mikhail Grabovski and Jiri Tlusty, im excited to see Grabovski, but not as much as these people, and Im not that much of a Tlusty fan. I forgot all about Williams and I think that he is a great player. Thanks for letting me know though.
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Branden Leeman 11 months ago
Kubina are you kidding me
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Alan Bass 11 months ago
god i can't wait to see luke schenn this guy is gonna be a monster in the defensive zone
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Bruce Locke 11 months ago
i am willing to bet that unless schenn shows that he is a top 4 d-man right now, he wont be with the leafs anymore than 9 games, then he'll be sent to kelowna again so that he can tons of ice time.. not to mention junior world's experience.. it would be a mistake rushing him in too fast and hampering his development
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Aaron Neely 11 months ago
What is the point in playing Luke Schenn next year? He could go back to Kelowna and be a number one defenseman, play 30 minutes a game, tear the league up, go to the world juniors as an assistant captain (Cody Hodgson will definitely be captain if he's there) and the Toronto Maple Leafs will save a year off his three year rookie contract.
As for the rest of the list, If you aren't a Jiri Tlusty fan then I think you need to jump in front of the subway... This guy is dynamite, He's 20 years old now and towards the end of last year it was clear that this guy has the explosive speed, grit and tenacity to be a mainstay in blue and white for years to come. This guy is good for 40 points next year.
Who ever else is tired of hearing the Great Joe Bowen say, "The puck comes around the boards, jumps over Ian Whites stick and the Senators are away on a two on one" will be pleased to hear that I think this guy will never play a game for the Toronto Maple Leafs... There is really no point in having him around, I thought that he should have gone to Columbus when Gilbert Brule was availible or at least on draft day to a team like Buffalo for a first of second rounder.
Pogge will be the best goalie in the AHL next year - bar none.
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Aaron Neely 11 months ago
What is the point in playing Luke Schenn next year? He could go back to Kelowna and be a number one defenseman, play 30 minutes a game, tear the league up, go to the world juniors as an assistant captain (Cody Hodgson will definitely be captain if he's there) and the Toronto Maple Leafs will save a year off his three year rookie contract.
As for the rest of the list, If you aren't a Jiri Tlusty fan then I think you need to jump in front of the subway... This guy is dynamite, He's 20 years old now and towards the end of last year it was clear that this guy has the explosive speed, grit and tenacity to be a mainstay in blue and white for years to come. This guy is good for 40 points next year.
Who ever else is tired of hearing the Great Joe Bowen say, "The puck comes around the boards, jumps over Ian Whites stick and the Senators are away on a two on one" will be pleased to hear that I think this guy will never play a game for the Toronto Maple Leafs... There is really no point in having him around, I thought that he should have gone to Columbus when Gilbert Brule was availible or at least on draft day to a team like Buffalo for a first of second rounder.
Pogge will be the best goalie in the AHL next year - bar none.
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Lukas 11 months ago
you can have your opinion, but I just don't think that Tlusty will every be the best player on a team. Unless its like Pheonix or somthing. I think that he will always be a second liner. Which is good, but I am still not a Tlusty fan. I agree with you on Pogge, and White. Im not sure about Schenn. Im sure that he wouldn't hate playing in Kelowna or in hte WHJC, but I don't think that he wants to go back to a league that he can just tear right up. I think that he wants some compition. No matter where he plays next year he will be the one of the best players.
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Aaron Neely 11 months ago
Maybe just a different way of describing him... I feel exactly the same... He will never be the best on any team (nice shot at Phoenix though... they seem to be getting things together though) But good second liner is right what the Leafs need. We have the money to get top tier players in free agency. I just feel Schenn coming to an atmosphere that the Leafs will have can't help him. Plus mise well keep him around for our bonus year with him... Don't have to sign him untill next year!
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m nnn 11 months ago
hodgson is better then schenn he ate his ass in junior loook at the stats www.09._hodgsonahl.junior.com
nigga higga
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