1. Kaberle gets just a little better again, like every year prior, and becomes a bona fide #1?
2. McCabe finds his 2001-2002 form and becomes perhaps another #1 guy?
3. Berg gets a little better and starts filling in his shoes and enters the prime of his career being a big solid, reliable #4 type guy?
4. Ric Jackman puts his past behind him and starts looking like the guy everyone thought he was when he was drafted - and becomes an offensive minded, nasty top 4 guy?
5. Klee does just what he did last year?
6. Marchment is Marchment, take the good with the bad?
7. Pilar comes back from health issues an legitimately challenges for the top 6 again?
8. Colaiacovo is so pissed off about being sent to the Rock that he unleashes his anger on the AHL for a beast year?
9. Kondriatev plays pretty good for a rookie, decides to stay in North America to prepare for next year?
10. Hedin decides to stay as well and commits to making the top 4 of the Leafs "youth movement"?
11. Bell, Harrison, Chartier, Moro and Reagan all commit to the same?
12. White, Turon, Seikola and Kronwall all decide that they will be the top 4 in St. Johns next year?
How many of these will come true? I believe far more will than not. I will post this up again at the end of the year.
1. Kaberle gets just a little better again, like every year prior, and becomes a bona fide #1?
2. McCabe finds his 2001-2002 form and becomes perhaps another #1 guy?
3. Berg gets a little better and starts filling in his shoes and enters the prime of his career being a big solid, reliable #4 type guy?
4. Ric Jackman puts his past behind him and starts looking like the guy everyone thought he was when he was drafted - and becomes an offensive minded, nasty top 4 guy?
5. Klee does just what he did last year?
6. Marchment is Marchment, take the good with the bad?
7. Pilar comes back from health issues an legitimately challenges for the top 6 again?
8. Colaiacovo is so pissed off about being sent to the Rock that he unleashes his anger on the AHL for a beast year?
9. Kondriatev plays pretty good for a rookie, decides to stay in North America to prepare for next year?
10. Hedin decides to stay as well and commits to making the top 4 of the Leafs "youth movement"?
11. Bell, Harrison, Chartier, Moro and Reagan all commit to the same?
12. White, Turon, Seikola and Kronwall all decide that they will be the top 4 in St. Johns next year?
How many of these will come true? I believe far more will than not. I will post this up again at the end of the year.
All of these are strong possibilities........This could be the season where everything falls into place at the same time for the Leafs.........The first one you listed with Kaberle is the one that I'd bet on to happen....the way that his point totals have gone up the last few years he looks to be headed for a season where I think he scores 15-goals and 40-assists for a 55-point total........that's what I have him projected as..............as well I don't think Colaiacovo will be down in the farm all season...I can see the Leafs calling him up before the Christmas holidays after having that "Beast Year" that you're predicting he'll have...I have a pretty good eye for hockey talent and have seen this guy play live more than once and I think Colaiacovo is the REAL DEAL...and when I say REAL DEAL I'm talking here about someone I feel will one day be challenging for the Norris trophy.
All of these are strong possibilities........This could be the season where everything falls into place at the same time for the Leafs.........The first one you listed with Kaberle is the one that I'd bet on to happen....the way that his point totals have gone up the last few years he looks to be headed for a season where I think he scores 15-goals and 40-assists for a 55-point total........that's what I have him projected as..............as well I don't think Colaiacovo will be down in the farm all season...I can see the Leafs calling him up before the Christmas holidays after having that "Beast Year" that you're predicting he'll have...I have a pretty good eye for hockey talent and have seen this guy play live more than once and I think Colaiacovo is the REAL DEAL...and when I say REAL DEAL I'm talking here about someone I feel will one day be challenging for the Norris trophy.
What I like about Coli is that he has kind of an attitude - that whole Chelios kind of persona. I think he will focus on his D game, keep his skills, and with that attitude, its a nice combination.
Jackman has that attitude too you know. You don't see it as much in interviews because of all his baggage - but he will come into his own with the ice time. Tellqvist has it, so does Belfour.
1) He would need to get more then a little bit better. Given their skill sets and how they play, McCabe is much more of a future #1 guy then Kaberle
I don't know about that. While McCabe has much more of an edge and is physically superior, he is still inconsistent and is three years older than Kaberle, who is clearly more skilled overall. I don't think either can ever turn into a Rob Blake number one, but I think Kaberle at his peak is better than McCabe at his.
Offensivly Kaberle is better then McCabe, however to be a #1 defenseman you need to be a good defensive player, and Kaberle's defensive play is questionable, McCabes is solid, if he improves and gets back to how he played 2 years ago he could be an NHL #1 defenseman (no not a Blake, but a Zhitnik or a Redden). Kaberle is a Gonchar, a great player to have, a very strong offensive threat but not a #1 defenseman because of the questionable defense.
Offensivly Kaberle is better then McCabe, however to be a #1 defenseman you need to be a good defensive player, and Kaberle's defensive play is questionable, McCabes is solid, if he improves and gets back to how he played 2 years ago he could be an NHL #1 defenseman (no not a Blake, but a Zhitnik or a Redden). Kaberle is a Gonchar, a great player to have, a very strong offensive threat but not a #1 defenseman because of the questionable defense.
1. Kaberle gets just a little better again, like every year prior, and becomes a bona fide #1?
2. McCabe finds his 2001-2002 form and becomes perhaps another #1 guy?
3. Berg gets a little better and starts filling in his shoes and enters the prime of his career being a big solid, reliable #4 type guy?
4. Ric Jackman puts his past behind him and starts looking like the guy everyone thought he was when he was drafted - and becomes an offensive minded, nasty top 4 guy?
5. Klee does just what he did last year?
6. Marchment is Marchment, take the good with the bad?
7. Pilar comes back from health issues an legitimately challenges for the top 6 again?
8. Colaiacovo is so pissed off about being sent to the Rock that he unleashes his anger on the AHL for a beast year?
9. Kondriatev plays pretty good for a rookie, decides to stay in North America to prepare for next year?
10. Hedin decides to stay as well and commits to making the top 4 of the Leafs "youth movement"?
11. Bell, Harrison, Chartier, Moro and Reagan all commit to the same?
12. White, Turon, Seikola and Kronwall all decide that they will be the top 4 in St. Johns next year?
How many of these will come true? I believe far more will than not. I will post this up again at the end of the year.
1. Well, Kaberle's already a legitimate #1 defenseman, so I'd say that this one is pretty much a lock. As for whether he'll turn into an elite defenseman is another matter entirely. No idea. If he can hit the 50 point mark he'll definitely be one step closer.
2. I don't think we'll ever see McCabe get the same numbers he got back in 2001-2002. However, I think that 10 goals and 35 points is a very realistic shot. As well, if given a defensively solid partner, like Kaberle for example, it's likely he'd be able to compliment the other player very well.
3. Very possible, but I don't know if it'll happen on this team. There's just too many quality young players on the depth chart. Berg, while slowly improving, is simply not developing at a fast enough rate. I'd like to see him moved, to be quite honest.
4. Definitely something to look out for. If he puts everything together him becoming a legitimate #4 defenseman this season is a real possibility.
5. If he can stay healthy, it could very well happen. Definitely liking this signing. Very solid defensively. Being stuck in Washington for years, I can now see why he's very underrated.
6. Marchment is still a solid #5. I don't see him getting any worse defensively. He's still a positionally sound player and, at the very least, we won't have to see him fall down on the ice like we did with Lumme the last several seasons.
7. Again, might happen. He's got the skill, but the virus was serious and he's been out of game shape for a while. If something does happen with him, I have a feeling it'll be later in the year.
8. I don't see why Colaiacovo should be pissed. He knows he'll be on the team one day. It may even end up being this season. We'll see how Shedden handles the team.
9. I think that's definitely something that will happen.
10. Hedin, being an older defenseman, may end up as tradebait.
11. Harrison and Bell are the only two from that group I see even making the league, to be honest.
12. I can see White becoming the next Nathan Dempsey, but the rest I doubt will ever amount to anything.
Offensivly Kaberle is better then McCabe, however to be a #1 defenseman you need to be a good defensive player, and Kaberle's defensive play is questionable, McCabes is solid, if he improves and gets back to how he played 2 years ago he could be an NHL #1 defenseman (no not a Blake, but a Zhitnik or a Redden). Kaberle is a Gonchar, a great player to have, a very strong offensive threat but not a #1 defenseman because of the questionable defense.
I guess you are one of the clowns who voted that Sergei Gonchar is not a #1 defenseman on the Polls Board.
1. Well, Kaberle's already a legitimate #1 defenseman, so I'd say that this one is pretty much a lock. As for whether he'll turn into an elite defenseman is another matter entirely. No idea. If he can hit the 50 point mark he'll definitely be one step closer.
2. I don't think we'll ever see McCabe get the same numbers he got back in 2001-2002. However, I think that 10 goals and 35 points is a very realistic shot. As well, if given a defensively solid partner, like Kaberle for example, it's likely he'd be able to compliment the other player very well.
3. Very possible, but I don't know if it'll happen on this team. There's just too many quality young players on the depth chart. Berg, while slowly improving, is simply not developing at a fast enough rate. I'd like to see him moved, to be quite honest.
4. Definitely something to look out for. If he puts everything together him becoming a legitimate #4 defenseman this season is a real possibility.
5. If he can stay healthy, it could very well happen. Definitely liking this signing. Very solid defensively. Being stuck in Washington for years, I can now see why he's very underrated.
6. Marchment is still a solid #5. I don't see him getting any worse defensively. He's still a positionally sound player and, at the very least, we won't have to see him fall down on the ice like we did with Lumme the last several seasons.
7. Again, might happen. He's got the skill, but the virus was serious and he's been out of game shape for a while. If something does happen with him, I have a feeling it'll be later in the year.
8. I don't see why Colaiacovo should be pissed. He knows he'll be on the team one day. It may even end up being this season. We'll see how Shedden handles the team.
9. I think that's definitely something that will happen.
10. Hedin, being an older defenseman, may end up as tradebait.
11. Harrison and Bell are the only two from that group I see even making the league, to be honest.
12. I can see White becoming the next Nathan Dempsey, but the rest I doubt will ever amount to anything.
Thanks for taking the time to respond to each point. I will want to revisit this at the end of the year. I will include your responses.
1. Well, Kaberle's already a legitimate #1 defenseman, so I'd say that this one is pretty much a lock. As for whether he'll turn into an elite defenseman is another matter entirely. No idea. If he can hit the 50 point mark he'll definitely be one step closer.
I am in the camp that needs him to be better in the defensive zone to be called a #1, points notwithstanding.
2. I don't think we'll ever see McCabe get the same numbers he got back in 2001-2002. However, I think that 10 goals and 35 points is a very realistic shot. As well, if given a defensively solid partner, like Kaberle for example, it's likely he'd be able to compliment the other player very well.
17 goals was a fluke. I just want him to become a true leader and reliable, skilled defenseman.
3. Very possible, but I don't know if it'll happen on this team. There's just too many quality young players on the depth chart. Berg, while slowly improving, is simply not developing at a fast enough rate. I'd like to see him moved, to be quite honest.
This is as important a year for Berg as it is for Jackman. I keep him and then decide at the end of the year. If he cannot be considered a legitimate #3 or 4 for next year, like a Klee is this year, then he is gone for the youth.
4. Definitely something to look out for. If he puts everything together him becoming a legitimate #4 defenseman this season is a real possibility.
Well, I am an unabashed booster of Jackman. I may end up eating crow, but I don't think so.
5. If he can stay healthy, it could very well happen. Definitely liking this signing. Very solid defensively. Being stuck in Washington for years, I can now see why he's very underrated.
He is as happy as a clam to be here - and it cost him several million dollars because Washington offered him 3 years. He will be back next year for sure because he will be so relaible.
6. Marchment is still a solid #5. I don't see him getting any worse defensively. He's still a positionally sound player and, at the very least, we won't have to see him fall down on the ice like we did with Lumme the last several seasons.
I don't like this signing, but if you compare him to Lumme then I like the signing a lot.
7. Again, might happen. He's got the skill, but the virus was serious and he's been out of game shape for a while. If something does happen with him, I have a feeling it'll be later in the year.
I think he will be back to form end of year as well. The depth should be great to have.
8. I don't see why Colaiacovo should be pissed. He knows he'll be on the team one day. It may even end up being this season. We'll see how Shedden handles the team.
Pissed meaning that he has something to show - a chip on the shoulder - I see it as a good thing because I like nasty D men like Hatcher, Chelios, Marchment in his prime etc.
9. I think that's definitely something that will happen.
He would be a fool now to exercize his 20 game AHL clause. For the english lessons alone.
10. Hedin, being an older defenseman, may end up as tradebait.
Don't like his game at all.
11. Harrison and Bell are the only two from that group I see even making the league, to be honest.
I'm more optimistic. However, I see Harrison in the AHL for another 2-3 years. I never liked his game that much - he was a major drop off as the 7th defenseman for Team Canada, I felt. I think at best he will be a 6th D man type guy.
12. I can see White becoming the next Nathan Dempsey, but the rest I doubt will ever amount to anything.
I am looking forward to his junior team Canada performance, but he could sneak into the NHL after a year or 2 in the AHL - his offensive upside is just so good that he may get a Delmore type career going
What I like about Coli is that he has kind of an attitude - that whole Chelios kind of persona. I think he will focus on his D game, keep his skills, and with that attitude, its a nice combination.
Jackman has that attitude too you know. You don't see it as much in interviews because of all his baggage - but he will come into his own with the ice time. Tellqvist has it, so does Belfour.
Chelios is a pretty good comparison to Cola........that would be the guy I'd compare him to.......I agree
Chelios is a pretty good comparison to Cola........that would be the guy I'd compare him to.......I agree
Actually, not me. I see him more as a Methew Scneider. However, he does have an attitude - the same one that Chelios possesses, and I think that will be his wildcard.
