Toronto Maple Leafs: Is Christian Hanson the Right Choice?

By Louis “King of Roncesvalles” Pisano

With Johnny Mitchell on the shelf, the question of who to bring up to the big club to fill his shoes was quickly answered with the name, Christian Hanson. Another name mentioned was that of Ryan Hamilton.

Hanson is leading the Toronto Marlies in goals (eight) and points (18) and has been their best player this year.

After getting 61 shots on the Islanders goalie Dwayne Roloson and yet only coming away with three goals to show for the effort, they had to find someone who has been bulging the twine.

Hanson is also a big physical guy who’s not scared to mix it up. He’s from southern Canada or as the Americans call it, Pennsylvania, and played hockey for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

As we all know he’s a son of famed hockey cult movie Slapshot star Dave Hanson.

When he first laced up the skates for the Blue and White last year after being signed, he played five games scoring one goal and one assist. Fans young and old alike were wearing wigs and glasses at the games. His presence seemed to bring some enjoyment to the fans that had otherwise nothing to be excited about.

He has since, with his numbers down on the farm, begun his own hockey legacy, which all Leafs fans hope is a great one.

He seemed to be able to keep up with the flow of the game last year though it must have been overwhelming and with an uninspired team around him it most likely wasn’t the best situation.

At the beginning of this season I thought he would have a spot on the team on a sort of kid line with perhaps Bozak and Stalberg.

Dream on!

You know that hope you have as part of Leafs Nation that you wish a coach and GM would just let a group of three young forwards form that kid-line and allow them to gel and grow together expecting a few mistakes along the way.

Yeah well it never seems to happen, dashed hopes on a yearly basis as the kids get stuffed down on the farm and then traded for an old dog.

Brad Boyes still a sore spot for me.

But Brian Burke apparently has a different plan and he said he’s building with youth and from within.

Glad to see one of them getting a shot. I think he is the obvious choice as the Leafs need some scoring. I’d like to see more of the young guys, as it doesn’t seem as though things could get much worse.