NHL Standings for 09/10 season heading into the playoffs

I still dont see what people are seeing in Toronto. They literally might ice 5 or 6 rookies. How do they make it?

N4L wrote:I still dont see what people are seeing in Toronto. They literally might ice 5 or 6 rookies. How do they make it?

The following "Leafs logic" is being used:
- they were only 12 points out of 8th spot last year
- their "D" is *vastly* improved over last year
- they now have Kessel for improved scoring
- they were 10th in league scoring last year
- Toskala is 100%, finally
- they have The Monster
- they are going to beat everyone up
- they have "The Burke"
- Burke is a GOD
- truculence

I think that covers all the arguments I've heard.

Haha truculence, if you guys haven't checked in a while, there is some golden analysis going on at www.downgoesbrown.com

Cheers

N4L wrote:I still dont see what people are seeing in Toronto. They literally might ice 5 or 6 rookies. How do they make it?

I was drinking your koolaid when I put the initial list down, but in all honesty, my first instinct was to put TO there from the outset. The Kessel trade and the fact that I agree with asq about Toskala having a rebound year meant I had to go with my first instinct and switch it up.

They have a lot more scoring depth (mid-level, albeit) than people are giving them credit for. I still don't like the Kessel trade in the long-term, but in the short-term, it will make them better.

The Kessel trade is like a power shot... energy boost now... crash later.

CCgotITcovered wrote:

N4L wrote:I still dont see what people are seeing in Toronto. They literally might ice 5 or 6 rookies. How do they make it?

I was drinking your koolaid when I put the initial list down, but in all honesty, my first instinct was to put TO there from the outset. The Kessel trade and the fact that I agree with asq about Toskala having a rebound year meant I had to go with my first instinct and switch it up.

They have a lot more scoring depth (mid-level, albeit) than people are giving them credit for. I still don't like the Kessel trade in the long-term, but in the short-term, it will make them better.

I just dont see how a team with 5, 6 rookies makes the playoffs. Won't believe unless I see it.

I know they'll be flatfooted but with

Kaberle
Komisarek
Beauchemin
Schenn
Exelby
White
Van Ryn

the Leafs shouldn't be easy to score on. If they can get out of their zone. Hard to say if that gets them into the playoffs though, it definitely isn't a sure thing.

N4L wrote:

CCgotITcovered wrote:

N4L wrote:I still dont see what people are seeing in Toronto. They literally might ice 5 or 6 rookies. How do they make it?

I was drinking your koolaid when I put the initial list down, but in all honesty, my first instinct was to put TO there from the outset. The Kessel trade and the fact that I agree with asq about Toskala having a rebound year meant I had to go with my first instinct and switch it up.

They have a lot more scoring depth (mid-level, albeit) than people are giving them credit for. I still don't like the Kessel trade in the long-term, but in the short-term, it will make them better.

I just dont see how a team with 5, 6 rookies makes the playoffs. Won't believe unless I see it.

Who are the rookies that are expected in the line-up?

N4L wrote:

CCgotITcovered wrote:

N4L wrote:I still dont see what people are seeing in Toronto. They literally might ice 5 or 6 rookies. How do they make it?

I was drinking your koolaid when I put the initial list down, but in all honesty, my first instinct was to put TO there from the outset. The Kessel trade and the fact that I agree with asq about Toskala having a rebound year meant I had to go with my first instinct and switch it up.

They have a lot more scoring depth (mid-level, albeit) than people are giving them credit for. I still don't like the Kessel trade in the long-term, but in the short-term, it will make them better.

I just dont see how a team with 5, 6 rookies makes the playoffs. Won't believe unless I see it.

meh just a feeling. Same reason I felt Boston won't be nearly the team they were last year - just a hunch.

shabbs wrote:

N4L wrote:

CCgotITcovered wrote:

N4L wrote:I still dont see what people are seeing in Toronto. They literally might ice 5 or 6 rookies. How do they make it?

I was drinking your koolaid when I put the initial list down, but in all honesty, my first instinct was to put TO there from the outset. The Kessel trade and the fact that I agree with asq about Toskala having a rebound year meant I had to go with my first instinct and switch it up.

They have a lot more scoring depth (mid-level, albeit) than people are giving them credit for. I still don't like the Kessel trade in the long-term, but in the short-term, it will make them better.

I just dont see how a team with 5, 6 rookies makes the playoffs. Won't believe unless I see it.

Who are the rookies that are expected in the line-up?

Bozak, Hanson, Kadari, and Gustofson for sure. I'm sure there will be another kid or two who will crack that lineup for good out of camp or at some point during the season.

CCgotITcovered wrote:

N4L wrote:

CCgotITcovered wrote:

N4L wrote:I still dont see what people are seeing in Toronto. They literally might ice 5 or 6 rookies. How do they make it?

I was drinking your koolaid when I put the initial list down, but in all honesty, my first instinct was to put TO there from the outset. The Kessel trade and the fact that I agree with asq about Toskala having a rebound year meant I had to go with my first instinct and switch it up.

They have a lot more scoring depth (mid-level, albeit) than people are giving them credit for. I still don't like the Kessel trade in the long-term, but in the short-term, it will make them better.

I just dont see how a team with 5, 6 rookies makes the playoffs. Won't believe unless I see it.

meh just a feeling. Same reason I felt Boston won't be nearly the team they were last year - just a hunch.

I think Boston is in a lot tougher this year as well.

The team I think that will run away with The East is Washington, but that's just me.

Oh yeah. If Washington can avoid putting their 4.5 million dollar mistake into their crease, then they'll challenge for the top. I still believe in Philly, but if they are better on paper than on the ice, then WAS should take the conference with PIT right behind them. I put Ottawa in 3rd, but points-wise, I'm thinking they'll be 4th-5th.

N4L wrote:

CCgotITcovered wrote:

N4L wrote:I still dont see what people are seeing in Toronto. They literally might ice 5 or 6 rookies. How do they make it?

I was drinking your koolaid when I put the initial list down, but in all honesty, my first instinct was to put TO there from the outset. The Kessel trade and the fact that I agree with asq about Toskala having a rebound year meant I had to go with my first instinct and switch it up.

They have a lot more scoring depth (mid-level, albeit) than people are giving them credit for. I still don't like the Kessel trade in the long-term, but in the short-term, it will make them better.

I just dont see how a team with 5, 6 rookies makes the playoffs. Won't believe unless I see it.

Rookies on the Ottawa Senators during the 2005-2006 season:
Emery
Meszaros
Kelly
Eaves
Bochenski (briefly)
Schubert
McGrattan
Injury call-ups Tomas Malec, Denis Hamel, Filip Novak

...and that team was the highest scoring team in post-lock-out history, with a goals scored/goals against differential of 103 (only the Red Wings had fewer goals scored against, with 2). The team also finished with the second best record in the league at 52-21-3-6.

Now, the talent level on the Leafs isn't even on the same planet as the talent level on that Senators team, all I'm saying is that playing a number of rookies doesn't preclude the possibility of being successful.

I think the Leafs have it in them to challenge for a playoff spot, although I'm not sure they'll actually get one.

N4L wrote:

shabbs wrote:

N4L wrote:

CCgotITcovered wrote:

N4L wrote:I still dont see what people are seeing in Toronto. They literally might ice 5 or 6 rookies. How do they make it?

I was drinking your koolaid when I put the initial list down, but in all honesty, my first instinct was to put TO there from the outset. The Kessel trade and the fact that I agree with asq about Toskala having a rebound year meant I had to go with my first instinct and switch it up.

They have a lot more scoring depth (mid-level, albeit) than people are giving them credit for. I still don't like the Kessel trade in the long-term, but in the short-term, it will make them better.

I just dont see how a team with 5, 6 rookies makes the playoffs. Won't believe unless I see it.

Who are the rookies that are expected in the line-up?

Bozak, Hanson, Kadari, and Gustofson for sure. I'm sure there will be another kid or two who will crack that lineup for good out of camp or at some point during the season.

Kadri's more of a long-shot. Stalberg should be in their line-up though.

Wilson made it pretty clear that Kadri is an unlikely member of the team.

CCgotITcovered wrote:Wilson made it pretty clear that Kadri is an unlikely member of the team.

He has to beat out players for a top-6 spot on the team.

Thus far, though, many Leaf fans are saying he has been.

I'll be surprised to see Kadri stick around.

asq2 wrote:

CCgotITcovered wrote:Wilson made it pretty clear that Kadri is an unlikely member of the team.

He has to beat out players for a top-6 spot on the team.

Thus far, though, many Leaf fans are saying he has been.

And their coach has been saying he hasn't No offense to Leaf fans, but they're the least objective fans since habs fan. They want their 1st rounder to make it and be better than his ex-teammate Tavares. He's done some things right, but who is he supposed to push out of the top-6?