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Sundin: will he sign here? (Take 2)


Mats: predict the outcome  

63 members have voted

  1. 1. Are we a-gettin' Big Mats?

    • Yes
      41
    • No
      18
    • I don't want him anyway
      4


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That is a very optimistic assesment of the Leafs.

It is very optimistic, there's no doubt about that. I just think a lot of people are putting the Leafs at the bottoms of the conference for the same mistakes many people underrated the Canadiens for the last 2-3 years, by considering only what players had achieved so far, and not taking into accout the fact that some players will get better with more experience and/or by taking on more responsibilities.

Sundin's departure will have an effect, positive or negative, on some players for the simple reason they'll be asked to carry on more responsibilities. I'm especially thinking about guys like Steen, Stajan, and Antropov. They could emerge or they could be exposed.

Similarly, young guys like Tlutsy, Stralman, and Finger should all improve with more experience. Stralman finsihed the season strong, and Finger was pretty solid for the Avanlanche all year-long. Tlutsy is highly skilled, has done very well in the AHL, and should build in the experience he acquired with the Leafs.

With so many unknows, the Leafs could indeed be mediocre, and finish dead last in the NHL next season. However, with a fairly strong group of defensemen, a decent goalie who picked up a lot of wins in February and March, and a younger, more dynamic group of forwards with a lot to prove, I won't be that surprised to see the Leafs upsetting many, and making it to the playoffs.

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Those were just examples, but still, the 3rd line looks like it could become very effective. Kulemin is a great prospect who could surprise many this season, Stajan I believe will emerge as a leader for the Leafs, and Ponikarovski is very big and a decent overall player.

I could also see the duo of Blake and Steen picking up the offense now that everything will not evolve around Sundin. You stick a great skilled youngster like Tlutsy with them, and you may have yourself a decent line.

The second line I put together is the biggest question mark, Grabovksi has everything to prove, Mark Bell is coming back from a pretty dark place while Antropov needs to prove he can contribute without Mats Sundin holding his hand.

After all, that lineup isn't really worse than what we've had until recently, and we always at least came somewhat close to making the playoffs... and our defense looked nothing like the Leafs' (our number 1 defenseman was a power play specialist who couldn't even reach 40 points in a season).

I was just joking around. I really don't have much of a clue

how the Leafs lineup will look. I don't really look into other

teams lineups until mid Sept when I get ready for my many

hockey pool drafts.

Seems to me though, that the Leafs are much like the Bolts

in that a third to half their starting 20 will be new faces. Only

the Bolts have some serious proven offensive weapons. The

Leafs look like they will struggle to score goals.

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It is very optimistic, there's no doubt about that. I just think a lot of people are putting the Leafs at the bottoms of the conference for the same mistakes many people underrated the Canadiens for the last 2-3 years, by considering only what players had achieved so far, and not taking into accout the fact that some players will get better with more experience and/or by taking on more responsibilities.

Sundin's departure will have an effect, positive or negative, on some players for the simple reason they'll be asked to carry on more responsibilities. I'm especially thinking about guys like Steen, Stajan, and Antropov. They could emerge or they could be exposed.

Similarly, young guys like Tlutsy, Stralman, and Finger should all improve with more experience. Stralman finsihed the season strong, and Finger was pretty solid for the Avanlanche all year-long. Tlutsy is highly skilled, has done very well in the AHL, and should build in the experience he acquired with the Leafs.

With so many unknows, the Leafs could indeed be mediocre, and finish dead last in the NHL next season. However, with a fairly strong group of defensemen, a decent goalie who picked up a lot of wins in February and March, and a younger, more dynamic group of forwards with a lot to prove, I won't be that surprised to see the Leafs upsetting many, and making it to the playoffs.

I can't see the playoffs for that roster. Everything would have to go right for that to be possible.

Their D is Kaberle, Kubina and a lot of question marks. Coliacovo gets hurt EVERY year, Frogren?

Finger? White? Stralman?

They have a very good 1st D-Man, a good 2nd D-Man and a bunch of guys who could be 4-8th D-men.

Do they have a first line forward? I live in Toronto and have seen Antropov, Ponikoravsky and Steen

play for years. Steen is the only one who has the potential for first line play, but he is more in the mold

of a Chris Higgins than an elite forward.

Kulemin, Tlusty are huge question marks. Tlusty was good in the AHL, but brutal in the NHL last year.

Grabovski? Bell? Earl? Stajan?

They are really underrated right now. But the only way they make the playoffs is if Toskala delivers a

Jose Theodore in 2002 type performance. They are not as shit as the media would like you to believe,

but the playoffs is a severe stretch

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I was just joking around. I really don't have much of a clue

how the Leafs lineup will look. I don't really look into other

teams lineups until mid Sept when I get ready for my many

hockey pool drafts.

Seems to me though, that the Leafs are much like the Bolts

in that a third to half their starting 20 will be new faces. Only

the Bolts have some serious proven offensive weapons. The

Leafs look like they will struggle to score goals.

The Lightning are placing a lot of faith in Mike Smith and some green D-men.

But what they have is HOPE. The Leafs have nothing like Steven Stamkos in their system.

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The Lightning are placing a lot of faith in Mike Smith and some green D-men.

But what they have is HOPE. The Leafs have nothing like Steven Stamkos in their system.

The Lightning are a true wildcard to me.

They do have Mike Smith as their projected #1, Kolzig

is the backup and Ramo is awaiting his chance. I defer

to you when it comes to goaltending. but looks good to

me.

I like all of Mezaros,Carle,Ranger and O'Brien. I've

always liked the offensive upside of Hutchinsen. I'd

take any of the first 4 on my Habs as an upgrade.

Young, yup. Upside, yup.

Stamkos might be the best talent entering the NHL this

season. Signing Malone and Vrbata as his wingers and

having the 1st line of Prospal-Lecavalier-St.Louis take

the brunt of the checking means I'm thinking Stamkos

could get near 70 points. Ok, maybe 60. :lol:

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The Lightning are a true wildcard to me.

They do have Mike Smith as their projected #1, Kolzig

is the backup and Ramo is awaiting his chance. I defer

to you when it comes to goaltending. but looks good to

me.

I like all of Mezaros,Carle,Ranger and O'Brien. I've

always liked the offensive upside of Hutchinsen. I'd

take any of the first 4 on my Habs as an upgrade.

Young, yup. Upside, yup.

Stamkos might be the best talent entering the NHL this

season. Signing Malone and Vrbata as his wingers and

having the 1st line of Prospal-Lecavalier-St.Louis take

the brunt of the checking means I'm thinking Stamkos

could get near 70 points. Ok, maybe 60. :lol:

You have more faith than I do in a defense that will rely on mainly 22 and 23 year olds.

I can't think of many succesful NHL teams with a back end that relies on veteran leadership from

a 28 year old with 95 games of NHL experience.

I like Mike Smith, but he has been sheltered behind a defensive system in Dallas his whole career

and will be in for a busy season with those young kids.

They will score, but how many will they give up is the question.

Edited by Wamsley01
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Here's probably what the real meeting was about between Bob and Mats

BG: Hey Mats, how's life?

MS: Oh it's great just signed a juicy deal with Pokerstars and now i'm on the main page and my picture is with reputable professionals

BG: I see, and what about hockey?

MS: Oh, I'm not really focusing on that right now. To be honest I haven't started thinking about my hockey future..I'm preparing for European Poker Tour Barcelona

BG: Will you be ready with a decision sometime around the trade deadline?

MS: I'm not too sure, but check out how cool this website is; pretty cool pic huh?

http://www.pokerstarsblog.com/2008/09/mats...pokerstars.html

BG:...yes...Interesting

MS: Well i'm off to Sweden to eat some meatballs and play on some 25cent-50cent cash game tables and see how much I can win for my charity

BG: Don't forget about the Gainey Foundation....and the Habs!!!

I once was optimistic about him coming...but I just can't see "that guy" coming. You think a NHL Veteran would have the sense to prioritize things...Apparently not

Edited by l<OV4L3V
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