Matt Stajan proved adequate as a play-making centre last season, leading the Leafs in assists with 40 [Savard had 63 with the Bruins]. But, that number likely represents the high end for Stajan, whose durability is more impressive than his offensive skill. Mikhail Grabovski showed he can be a dynamic talent, but he doesn’t have the patience and calmness required to abet a speedy winger. John Mitchell’s numbers improved with added responsibility toward the end of the season, but no person will credibly speak of Mitchell and Savard in the same sentence. Tyler Bozak is reputed by many scouts to possess the ice vision and composure that may ultimately mesh with a scoring line-mate, but he is a complete unknown at the NHL level.
So, where does the hockey club turn to avail itself of Kessel’s burning speed and ability to find open areas on the ice? The answer, though unconventional, may be found in the traffic jam on the blue line, where the Leafs’ indisputably best playmaker wears No. 15.
Is it just me, or has he seemed to push this idea for the past few seasons? I get where he's coming from, but our team is much better off with Kaberle on the point. White is a solid, but not spectacular PMD, and MVR is one hit away from not knowing what decade he's in.
Matt Stajan proved adequate as a play-making centre last season, leading the Leafs in assists with 40 [Savard had 63 with the Bruins]. But, that number likely represents the high end for Stajan, whose durability is more impressive than his offensive skill. Mikhail Grabovski showed he can be a dynamic talent, but he doesn’t have the patience and calmness required to abet a speedy winger. John Mitchell’s numbers improved with added responsibility toward the end of the season, but no person will credibly speak of Mitchell and Savard in the same sentence. Tyler Bozak is reputed by many scouts to possess the ice vision and composure that may ultimately mesh with a scoring line-mate, but he is a complete unknown at the NHL level.
Berger unintentionally admitted his lack of credibility in his profession...
On the PP I see Tomas and Phil as a deadly combo. But I do think that Matt Stajan can flourish with having Kessel as his winger. He can easily top his last season's assist totals if Kessel produces.
This. Boston fans may say "You don't have a Savard on your team" and they'd be right. But, they don't have anyone remotely close to Kaberle on defense with his passing skills.
Expect some flashy breakaway goals from Phil, delivered by a Mr. Tomas Kaberle.
How has Jason Allison looked? He was a great talent and natural play maker. If he still has anything left in the tank.. he could probably be hold that spot until Kadri is ready. Again, I haven't seen him play this preseason.. but it's just food for thought.
hmm... interesting article i guess.. havent heard the "make kaberle a forward" argument in a while. trading one of our d-men for a playmaking centre would probably be the more logical decision of we need one that badly
i don't think he is suggesting putting kaberle up front. If he is he should lose his job.
He definitely is, the next paragraph starts:
Quote:
After more than a decade as the smartest puck-moving defenseman on the Leafs, Kaberle might be the perfect compliment at centre-ice for a potent, energetic winger with a deft scoring touch.
Definitely a big no for me. Kaberle handles the puck from a QB type position with lots of time and outlet options. He's not really the guy to actually lead the rush.
Kaberle has pretty much already made his career on feeding players with "burning speed and ability to find open areas on the ice." What makes him think Kaberle can do that better on forward?
Berger is an idiot... anyone who has ever played hockey knows that switching from defence to forward is incredibly different unless you've done it consistently from a young age. Kaberle has never played forward, and most likely doesn't have the head to. He'll provide good outlet passes from the blueline, but we still need a playmaking centre.
I swear the Kessel move has given that guy enough to keep writing stupid things about fo a long time. Oh well better than him writing just to call Leaf fans idiots. Obviously Kaberle will be good at setting Kessel up from the defence. He's done that fine all this time, switching him up to winger now makes no sense.
even when this team becomes competitive, berger will find a way to criticize and rip the leafs, either by saying burke didnt do a good job with the cap, or the leafs should have continued tanking to get the young and cheap talent they needed
