If you think about it they have pretty much cleared up their problems.....almost. I believe that the signing of 1 more solid d will make the difference. If you look at the lines as is
If we could just find one more, maybe a Yuskevich or someone to play with Berard, that's a pretty solid d line-up. I'd say that Kaberle is a solid #2, McCabe and Klee would be a #3, Yuskie would be a 3-4, Marchment 4-5 and Berg a 5-6, that's not so bad if you really think about it. The forwards will score their goals and when the opposition gets past the D then they still have Eddie there! I honestly think that a Yuskie or someone that can play with Berg will honestly make this a good defence, nowhere near detroit but still pretty good for the East.
I dont think they need to sign anyone else right now. If they can make a trade to get an upgrade then great, but we're overloaded with #4-7 dmen at the moment.
That's how I see it anyway. If Cola or Kondratiev don't take a top-4 spot Id send them to the Rock for the year so they can get more minutes (assuming Kondratiev would want to stay). We don't really have room on the roster to add another dman right now without giving one up.
If you think about it they have pretty much cleared up their problems.....almost. I believe that the signing of 1 more solid d will make the difference. If you look at the lines as is
If we could just find one more, maybe a Yuskevich or someone to play with Berard, that's a pretty solid d line-up. I'd say that Kaberle is a solid #2, McCabe and Klee would be a #3, Yuskie would be a 3-4, Marchment 4-5 and Berg a 5-6, that's not so bad if you really think about it. The forwards will score their goals and when the opposition gets past the D then they still have Eddie there! I honestly think that a Yuskie or someone that can play with Berg will honestly make this a good defence, nowhere near detroit but still pretty good for the East.
Steve
Klee played top line minutes in Washington and was the anchor on the first pairing. I could see the D pairing unfold like this
Kaberle Klee
McCabe Marchmant
Berg ?
I would like to see Carlo get the last job while Pushor gets sent home and Jackman makes it as the 7th.
Marchment won't be in the top 4, hes a #5-#6 guy. They need a top defenseman to play with McCabe (which they need to trade for), partner up Klee and Kaberle (Klee covered for Gonchair, he can do for Kaberle) and put Jackman and Marchment as the #5-#6 guys (I'd keep Berg as the #7 man or trade him). If they don't trade for a top guy they can put Jackman with McCabe and Berg with Marchment.
If you think about it they have pretty much cleared up their problems.....almost. I believe that the signing of 1 more solid d will make the difference. If you look at the lines as is
If we could just find one more, maybe a Yuskevich or someone to play with Berard, that's a pretty solid d line-up. I'd say that Kaberle is a solid #2, McCabe and Klee would be a #3, Yuskie would be a 3-4, Marchment 4-5 and Berg a 5-6, that's not so bad if you really think about it. The forwards will score their goals and when the opposition gets past the D then they still have Eddie there! I honestly think that a Yuskie or someone that can play with Berg will honestly make this a good defence, nowhere near detroit but still pretty good for the East.
Steve
"someone to play with BERARD ...???"
Is that a little forshadowing or what???, in a thread about an extra Dman...
Let me add that you are an invaluable addition to these boards, with your deep and meaningful posts...
Oh don't patronize him, I thought it was deep.....
The Leafs D will not be fine starting off. McCabe and Kaberle have a tough time taking all the heat, so either Klee steps right in (without playing in camp) and kicks ass, or we're pretty much toast with a rough start.
Colaiacovo making the team and Kondratiev staying in north america (specifically on the rock) is what I'd like to see. I'd also like to see Pilar and Hedin make the team by mid-season after recovering/training in the AHL.
Kaberle-Pilar
Klee-Colaiacovo
Marchment-Hedin
Then we don't exactly have a great D but at least it's something to play hockey with, as opposed to the garbage spectacle we've been showcasing since losing Yushkevich and Markov.
Quinn did two things (in general) as GM. First he filled the Leafs with over paid, unachiving 3rd and 4th line players. Second he dismantled the Leafs defense to the point that when he steped down it was one of the weakest in the league. Some people try to defend the moves he made, trading Markov for example, by saying there were other circumstances which forced them to make trades - however at the same time he did nothing to replace those players - trading defensemen for picks or fowards, signing most UFA defensemen etc......
With Klee being added to the Leafs defense, they have a very good depth but are still missing a top guy. If Ferguson is able to add a top player like Zhitnik or Hamrlik to the defense through trade (and the guys they have all play like they can) they would have a very good defense to complement their excellent group (mostly) of fowards.
Quinn did two things (in general) as GM. First he filled the Leafs with over paid, unachiving 3rd and 4th line players. Second he dismantled the Leafs defense to the point that when he steped down it was one of the weakest in the league. Some people try to defend the moves he made, trading Markov for example, by saying there were other circumstances which forced them to make trades - however at the same time he did nothing to replace those players - trading defensemen for picks or fowards, signing most UFA defensemen etc......
With Klee being added to the Leafs defense, they have a very good depth but are still missing a top guy. If Ferguson is able to add a top player like Zhitnik or Hamrlik to the defense through trade (and the guys they have all play like they can) they would have a very good defense to complement their excellent group (mostly) of fowards.
Those over played unchaining 3rd & 4th line players got us over 90 - 100 points every season since Quinn has been here.. past the first round on a regular basis and to conference finals. Just because Quinn has not won a cup in his tender does not mean he was unsuccessful. Think other wise is foolish imo..
God forbid if we ever ice a Defensive core that looks like that.
God I am with ya on this one Shawn. If we iced a defence like that I think you could officaly put us in the running for Ovechkin in next years draft...
