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| Image by Peter Harling |
By Peter Harling
1. Jake Gardiner continues to climb the team’s depth chart.
In the month of December he is second overall in team average ice time with 23:30 per game. In 27 games he has 8 points,
all assists, and has an even plus/minus.
2. The Leafs are undefeated when going into the third period
with a lead.
3. Leafs Director of Player Personnel Rick Dudley was
scouting the Nashville, Columbus
game recently. Jeff Marek speculated there is possibility of a Nazem Kadri for
Derick Brassard trade.
4. In 26 games, Philippe Dupuis has no points, is -2, and is
only 49 percent in face offs. If all the teams’ forwards are healthy I don’t
think he stays in the line up. It is difficult to find his value.
5. Special teams in Toronto
are hit and miss. Hit: leafs power-play is second best at 21.7% Miss: Leafs
penalty kill is second worst at 74.3%
6. Is another Toronto
team a possibility now that the Leafs were sold to Rogers
and Bell? Last month TSN’s Bob
Mackenzie reported plans to build a new arena in the GTA. That was one step
closer. Now Ken Campbell of THN is
suggesting the Bell and Rogers
would welcome the broadcasting revenue that another Canadian team would bring.
7. It has been a long time since Leaf fans chanted for Ron
Wilson to be fired. The notion of that happening now is ludicrous.
8. Brian Burke has initiated his self imposed holiday season
trade freeze. Another example of what makes him a classy executive.
9. After the great start that had Toronto
(in first place overall in the NHL for a short stint, and first in their
division for several weeks) they are in jeopardy of falling out of a playoff
spot. Despite still playing decent hockey with a 5-4-1 record in their last ten games, they are in sixth
place in the Eastern Conference with 33 points. In a day, they could be sitting
in ninth place if they lose their next game, and both Buffalo
and Washington win.
10. Since his return from a concussion, James Reimer is 0-3
and has looked very average. Leaf fans love the teams golden boy as much as the
management, so look they will be patient.
11. Congratulations to Mikhail Grabovski on the birth of his
second child last week.
12. Where is the secondary offense? Phil Kessel and Joffrey
Lupul lead the team with 36, and 33 points respectively. After that it drops
off significantly, Tyler Bozak, and Dion Phaneuf each have 18 points, and Liles
has 17 points.
13. With only two goals, and nine assists, perhaps it is
time for Nikolai Kulemin to be a healthy scratch. What is most shocking to me
about this is the fact that it is a contract year for Kulemin.
14. In less than one year, the trade value of Tomas Kaberle
has depreciated from Joe Colborne, and a first, and second round pick, to Jaroslav
Spacek
15. Phil Kessel is leading the NHL with all-star votes.
Perhaps if he is selected as a captain he won’t be picked last this year.
Originally posted at Harling Fantasy Hockey
Follow me on twitter @pharling
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