Toronto Maple Leafs: Early Season Report Card

While we are just five games into the 2010-11 season, there is still plenty of good and bads to talk about when it comes to our beloved Toronto Maple Leafs.

Given the team's 4-0-1 record thus far, the positives far outweigh the negatives. In light of how poorly the Maple Leafs started the 2009-10 season, it is a breath of fresh air for Maple Leaf fans.

Heading into Tuesday night's game action, the Maple Leafs sit atop the NHL standings with nine points. They own the third-best goals-per-game average at 3.40, own the seventh-best goals-against average at 2.20, boast the seventh-best penalty kill with a 88.9-percent success rate and own the 13th best power play, which is currently humming along at a 17.4-percent success rate.

Needless to say, each and every one of those statistics represents a huge improvement on last year's numbers, leading many Maple Leaf fans to “be-leaf” for the first time in a long time that their beloved Buds might just make the playoffs this season.

Much of the team's success has come due to all of the players buying into a team concept and the fact that the Leafs have emerged as a very fast skating team. No one player is more important than another, but a few have stood out from the crowd.

With all this in mind, let’s take a look at the Maple Leafs roster and how each player has stacked up thus far.

The “A Team”

Phil Kessel

Clarke MacArthur

Luke Schenn

Tomas Kaberle

Tim Brent

J.S. Giguere

Phil Kessel has five goals in his first five games, has been dangerous both five-on-five and on the power play, where he has scored two of his goals.

While still not perfect defensively, the Maple Leafs are willing to deal with his shortcomings as long as he keeps depositing the puck in the net. (A)

As good as Tyler Seguin will be, Kessel is making Maple Leaf fans and Brian Burke’s critics forget all about the talented rookie. Much of the Leafs' success will depend on Kessel’s goal-scoring abilities.

So far, so good.

Clarke MacArthur also has five goals in his first five games, two of which have come on the power play, two of which have been game winners.

Inspired play and his ability to finish has seen MacArthur become one of the Leafs' most popular players thus far. For a guy who went unwanted for most of the summer, MacArthur is making a lot of NHL GM’s have second thoughts. (A)

Luke Schenn

After a troubled 2009-10 season, many Maple Leaf critics didn’t know what to expect from Schenn this season.

While it’s still early, Schenn is demonstrating the ability to shut down top-flight opponents, has contributed on the power play and has shown loads of poise with the puck—especially in his own zone.

Three points in five games, a plus-three rating and a vote of confidence from the coaching staff has Luke looking like the real deal once again…and (just a reminder) he’s just 21 years old! (A)

Tomas Kaberle just seems to go about his business every year, raking up assists, making big plays and making it all look simple.

To the surprise of everyone, Kaberle has been shooting the puck more often on the power play and has shown no ill-will towards head coach Ron Wilson. Simply put, Kaberle is being Kaberle, and that’s a good thing! (A)

Tim Brent has demonstrated early on that he is as tenacious as they come when it comes to forechecking, and has a couple of goals to show for his effort.

Brent is a big reason the Leafs are seeing huge improvement defensively, brings an element of grit to the team and should continue to help their penalty kill. More importantly, he is not making huge gaffs with the puck, something the Leafs third and fourth liners did far too often last season. (A)

J.S. Giguere has quickly ended what could have been a long drawn out question of which goaltender was going to be the Maple Leafs' No. 1 guy.

Surprise, it’s Giguere!

Through four starts, Giggy has a 3-0-1 record, a 1.96 goals-against average (8^th overall) a .911 save percentage (20^th overall), and looks to be back to the All-Star form that helped win him a Stanley Cup as a member of the Anaheim Ducks.

Simply put, as good as Jonas Gustavsson is, Giguere gives this team all the confidence in the world to do what they do best—press the pace, forecheck and make the odd mistake on defense.

Without Giguere, this team is .500 at best. (A)

The “B-Team”

Nikolai Kulemin

Mikhail Grabovski

Tyler Bozak

Kris Versteeg

Mike Komisarek

Dion Phaneuf

Mikhail Garbovski has looked good early on, getting to loose pucks, grinding it out in the corners and making the players around him better.

Despite not scoring yet, Grabo looks rejuvenated, more mature and willing to do the little things that win games. (B)

Tyler Bozak has looked excellent on the first line, setting up Phil Kessel on a regular basis and holding his own in the face off circle.

Bozak’s speed and vision is what sets him apart from other players. It’s just a matter of time before he explodes offensively. (B)

Kris Versteeg has shown flashes of brilliance thus far, but has only one goal and probably should have a few more.

Like many of the Leafs, it’s just a matter of time before Versteeg starts lighting the lamp on the regular.

The positives are that Versteeg is playing with venom, fury and passion, all of the characteristics Brian Burke felt he was bringing in when he acquired the feisty winger from the Chicago Blackhawks. (B)

Mike Komisarek seems to have put his injury woes behind him, has found his physical game and looks to be that stay-at-home defenseman that he is billed to be. (B)

Dion Phaneuf still hasn’t been the Dion we all grew to love in his first few seasons with the Calgary Flames.

But he has demonstrated a solid shot from the point on the power play and, for the most part, has been solid on the blue line. (B)

Holding Their Own

Francois Beauchemin

Colton Orr

Mike Brown

Michael Zigomanis

Colby Armstrong

Carl “Uzi” Gunnarsson

Fredrik Sjostrom

Brett Lebda

Jonas “the monster” Gustavsson

Mike Brown has probably been the best of this group, pounding opposing forwards and solidifying the Maple Leafs up front with his physical presence and solid defensive coverage.

Brain Burke has always said he likes toughness. Brown (who leads the Leafs in penalty minutes with 17) certainly brings that element and more.

Colton Orr has used his physical attributes to help keep opposing forwards honest and even boasts a goal in this young season.

While nobody expects Orr to be “Bobby,” it’s good to see him contributing with his hands, rather than his fists.

Fredrik Sjostrom has been very solid defensively, especially on the penalty kill, where the Maple Leafs have made a huge improvement over last season.

As good as he has been defensively, Sjostrom has a penchant for missing glorious opportunities, an attribute I hope he gets worked out before long.

Colby Armstrong has been good thus far, but I think he has not met his offensive expectations.

Not yet, anyway.

He’s a good teammate, defensively sound and has been solid five-on-five. Just need to see him light the lamp a few times.

Michael Zigomanis wasn’t even expected to make the team, so anything the Leafs get from this player is gravy.

That said, Zigomanis has been relentless on the forecheck and seems to have found a home on the fourth line.

Carl Gunnarsson has been up and down thus far.

That big shot I often spoke about is yet to bring him a goal, but it’s just a matter of time. Given more ice time, Gunnarsson should evolve into a steady D-man who can help the Leafs on the power play.

Brett Lebda finally got into game action Monday night versus the New York Islanders.

In a limited role he played a decent-enough game…that is, until he took that goaltender interference penalty in overtime, which led to John Tavares’ game-winning goal.

He will likely continue to see limited action unless one of the other six (most likely Gunnarsson) falters.

Overall, it’s been a tremendous start for the Maple Leafs, far surpassing everyone’s expectations.

Let’s hope this group can keep up the hard work…

Until next time,

Peace!