News and Notes

Complete Rookie Tournament Roster Announced

The Maple Leafs released their complete 28-man roster today for next weekend's Rookie Tournament in London. To view the full roster, click here.

NHL 11

For those of you who haven't purchased a copy of EA SPORTS NHL 11, I'd highly recommend that you go and out get one. There were no drastic changes from NHL 10, however some of the added features such as EA Sports Ultimate Hockey League and the addition of the three Canadian junior leagues - OHL, WHL, QMJHL. There are also many other game refinements and alterations including enhanced faceoff control, user celebrations, more variety of dekes and disallowed goals. In the Be A GM Mode, there is a differential between UFAs and RFAs, which enhances the realistic aspect of managing your own hockey team.

Season Preview

Our daily player-by-player previews continue with Carl Gunnarsson tomorrow and Brett Lebda on Thursday. Following that, we will preview the top 14 forwards before moving onto general season previews on September 24th. Leafs Nation Online will also have you covered for the Rookie Tournament this weekend and the Leafs main training camp, which begins on September 16th. Things are starting to ramp up around here, so make sure to visit regularly for the latest on the Leafs.

Blogroll

If you think you're blog should be displayed under our 'link' tab at the top of the page or want your article to be featured in our weekly 'Saturday Morning Coffee' column, please send an email to info@leafsnationonline.com or post your link in the comments section below.

Luke Schenn 2010-11 Preview

After exceeding expectations in his first NHL season, Luke Schenn experienced a slump last year, which is not uncommon for a second year player. Unlike his first season, he appeared to be reacting to the opponents’ next move as opposed to dictating the play. Despite his struggles on the ice, Schenn’s statistics indicate that he didn’t have that poor of a season after all. The target for criticism was perhaps stemming from his inability to repeat a stellar first season where he overachieved expectations set for him.

Based on his stats from last season compared to his first, he scored 3 more goals, the same number of assists (12) and three more points (17). Schenn had 21 fewer penalty minutes, although his three fewer fights last season were the likely reason for that number. One of the main reasons for optimism was Schenn’s +2 plus/minus rating, which was 14 points higher than his rookie season. Evidenced by his 3 more goals, his shooting percentage also increased to 5.0% compared to his 2.0% from the previous season.

However, these general stats don’t fully gage Schenn’s performance, so real-time stats like hits, blocked shots, giveaways and takeaways will better explain his overall performance from last season. Schenn’s 173 hits placed him 17th in the NHL among defenseman and second on the Leafs defense behind Dion Phaneuf (194 hits). This number places Schenn above the likes of Shea Weber (165), Drew Doughty (157), Anton Volchenkov (153) and Zdeno Chara (151). However, Schenn had 206 hits in his rookie season, so that number must increase this season for him to be considered in the group of top shutdown defenseman in the league.

Luke Schenn posted 116 blocked shots last season, which ranked him 62nd among defenseman. His 119 blocked shots from the previous season were in the same ballpark, so there is no considerable drop off in this category.

Schenn had 74 giveaways in his rookie season, compared to 41 last season, so he has evidently made improvements with handling the puck. In the takeaway category, his 22 last season were 11 less than the previous year when he had 33. This could mean he exerted less aggression on the opponent to attempt to take away the puck.

Combining for 379 hits and 235 blocked shots over his first two seasons in the NHL proves that Luke Schenn is on his way to becoming a future star defenseman and anchor for the Maple Leafs defense. His tremendous poise on the ice for a 20-year old is outstanding and his leadership qualities are beyond his years. There is a genuine reason for optimism and excitement for the organization and its fans that the team finally has a true star in the organization.

After adding 20 pounds in the off season, Schenn comes into training camp battling for a top four spot on the Leafs blueline. Now weighing in at 6-foot-2 and 235 pounds, the ‘human eraser’ is poised to make his mark for the blue and white and become a feared defenseman around the league.

2009-10 Statistics
79 games, 5 goals, 12 assists, 17 points, 50 penalty minutes

2010-11 Prediction
82 games, 6 goals, 15 assists, 21 points, 80 penalty minutes

3 Burning Questions

1 – Do you think Schenn will crack the Leafs top four defense this season?

2 – Will his added weight (20 pounds) bode well for his development or slow down his overall mobility?

3 – Will Schenn develop into the cornerstone of the Leafs defense (along with Dion Phaneuf) and be considered among the NHL’s elite?

Feel free to chime in with your answers or share your predictions in the comments section.

*Real-time statistics courtesy of http://www.behindthenet.ca/ and http://www.nhl.com/.

Rookie Tournament Coverage

The Maple Leafs official training camp doesn’t get under way until September 16th, although the future will be showcased when the Leafs annual rookie tournament begins this Saturday at the John Labatt Centre in London, Ontario. The team of Leafs prospects – which includes former first round pick Nazem Kadri, newly signed Marcel Mueller, Jussi Rynnas, Jesse Blacker, Keith Aulie, Ben Scrivens, Brayden Irwin, Jamie Devane, Kenny Ryan, Bradley Ross, Greg McKegg, Sam Carrick and Josh Nicholls – will participate in three games over the four-day tournament.

The Leafs prospects open the tournament against the Chicago Blackhawks at 7:00pm on Saturday night. Following that, they faceoff against the Pittsburgh Penguins next Sunday and Ottawa Senators on Tuesday. The four-team tournament is an annual event held by the Leafs that gives the organization an indication of where their prospects are at on the developmental track and how they match up against other team’s top prospects. Some of the players participating in the camp will have the opportunity to display their talents to bid for a bigger role at the main camps.

Leafs Nation Online will have exclusive coverage of the event, with pre-and-post game coverage of all three Leaf games, exclusive player profiles, game photos, and instant updates throughout the tournament. I'll be in attendance for Saturday night’s game against the Chicago Blackhawks and will be posting live tweets throughout the game with thoughts on each player. If you haven’t already, be sure to follow us on Twitter @leafsnationweb to recieve updates throughout the weekend.

The full tournament schedule and complete Leafs roster can be found here. Last minute tickets can be purchased at the John Labatt Centre Box Office, by calling (866) 455-2849 or visiting online at http://www.johnlabattcentre.com/.

Stay tuned for updates this week leading up to the tournament.

Mike Komisarek 2010-11 Preview

Hope all of our North American readers enjoyed their extended Labour Day weekend. We took a one-day hiatus from the player previews yesterday to recharge the batteries, but we're back at it today with our Mike Komisarek 2010-11 Preview. Enjoy.
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After signing a five-year, $22.5 million contract on July 1st last summer, Mike Komisarek entered the 2009-10 season with significant expectations placed on his shoulders. The former Montreal Canadien came to Toronto expecting to compete for a role on the top defense pairing and also contribute on the penalty kill. His outstanding leadership qualities led to some fans speculating as to whether he would be named the next captain of the Maple Leafs.

Komisarek took two steps backward in the Leafs home opener against Montreal, where he was trying too hard to impress his new teammates, and as a result of that, he took three minor penalties in his first game. His plus/minus took a hit after the team started 0-7-1, however Komisarek took one step forward when he regained form as a solid shutdown defenseman. Just as he was coming into his own with the blue and white, an apparent shoulder injury forced him to undergo reconstructive shoulder surgery that caused him to miss the rest of the season. The injury also led to him opting out of participating for Team U.S.A. at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

Komisarek finished the season with 4 assists, 40 penalty minutes and a -9 plus/minus total in 34 games. A perfect storm was brewing for Komisarek to potentially captain the Leafs, and then showcase his talents at the Olympics, although a series of shoulder and knee ailments forced him to pack it in. A prolonged off season enabled him to rehab his injuries before returning to on and off ice workouts.

Komisarek is a lock to play in the top four this season, likely alongside either Tomas Kaberle or Francois Beauchemin. Don’t count out sophomore defenseman Carl Gunnarsson from working his way into the top two pairings and potentially playing alongside Komisarek. His puck moving skills would complement Komisarek nicely. If he remains healthy, Komisarek should be counted on to play over 20 minutes a game with an emphasis on killing penalties. He doesn’t have an offensive flair, although he has posted 19 and 17 point seasons, respectively. Expect a 10-12 point season along with a significant number of penalty minutes.

Coming into this season, Komisarek doesn’t have the same pressure as last year because he is entering his second year with the team and playing on a team with very deep defense. Last season’s acquisition of Phaneuf takes Komisarek somewhat out of the limelight and reduces his need to play in all situations. However, Komisarek is fully capable of playing under pressure as evidenced by his playing time with the Montreal Canadiens. He should also earn consideration from Ron Wilson to wear an ‘A’ on his jersey as an assistant captain.

2009-10 Statistics
34 games, 0 goals, 4 assists, 4 points, 40 penalty minutes

2010-11 Preview
75 games, 4 goals, 8 assists, 12 points, 120 penalty minutes

3 Burning Questions

1 - Will Komisarek rebound this year after a disappointing first season with the Maple Leafs?

2 - How will the Leafs defensive depth affect Komisarek and will it limit him to a more limited role than he played for the Canadiens?

3 - Can Komisarek regain his former self as one of the elite shutdown defenseman in the league?

Feel free to chime in with your answers or share your predictions in the comments section.

Francois Beauchemin 2010-11 Preview

Part of Brian Burke’s first free agency at the helm of the Leafs was to reshape the Leafs defense by ridding the team of players brought in during the John Ferguson regime. Longtime Leafs Bryan McCabe and Carlo Colaiacovo were shipped out by former General Manager Cliff Fletcher. The only remaining defenseman from the famous ‘Muskoka Five’ was Pavel Kubina, who displayed solid two-way instincts with a quality shot from the point. However, Burke opted for a younger and more abrasive player in Mike Komisarek by shipping Kubina to the Atlanta Thrashers.

Along with signing Komisarek, the Leafs inked former Anaheim Duck Francois Beauchemin to a 3-year, $11.4 million contract. Beauchemin won a Stanley Cup with the Ducks in 2006 and played the most minutes among defenseman during the 2007 playoffs. He was originally brought in to the Leafs organization to log big minutes and provide a stable presence from the backend. He is also capable of playing both special teams. A combination of high expectations, a depleted group of forwards and shotty goaltending led to Beauchemin starting off slow in his first season with Toronto.

The Leafs got out of the gate with a 0-7-1 record that boasted the likes of Beauchemin and Tomas Kaberle anchoring the first defensive pairing. Vesa Toskala was the linchpin for criticism and believed to be the reason why the Leafs played so poorly in the early goings of the season. However, Francois Beauchemin appeared to be trying too hard to impress the organization and its fans in his first season. He was often out of position and was affected by his lack of footspeed, which limited him from breaking up one-on-ones. He had a -5 plus/minus over the first four games and finished with a -13 plus/minus total for the season, placing him second worst on the team. It was also his worst plus/minus total of his career.

Despite finishing with 26 points in 82 games, along with 33 penalty minutes, Beauchemin did not play up to par both defensively and offensively last season. He is capable of posting at least 30 points per season while having a plus/minus rating closer to even. One bright spot from last season was his 170 shots on net, which averages to 2.07 shots per game. That number should only increase if he is given more power play time from head coach Ron Wilson this season.

With the addition of Dion Phaneuf and the Leafs decision to retain Tomas Kaberle, expect Beauchemin to play fewer overall minutes, but likely more on special teams. Reducing his minutes throughout the season will keep him rested in the event that the Leafs make the playoffs. Limiting his ice time will let him slide into the role he has played famously throughout his career as a supporting defenseman. There is common belief that last season was only a blip in the radar for a defenseman who is one of the best secondary players in the league. His under-the-radar, smart playing style often goes unnoticed, but a trip back to the playoffs for the Leafs is when Beauchemin can really shine.

2009-10 Statistics
82 games, 5 goals, 21 assists, 26 points, 33 penalty minutes

2010-11 Prediction
82 games, 6 goals, 22 assists, 28 points, 45 penalty minutes

3 Burning Questions

1 – Will Francois Beauchemin rebound in his second season as a Leaf?

2 – Will he benefit from the addition of Dion Phaneuf and decreased workload compared to last season?

3 – Is Beauchemin the odd man out with Kaberle coming back for another season?

Feel free to chime in with your answers or share your predictions in the comments section.

Saturday Morning Coffee

Good morning everyone! Welcome to the first edition of Saturday Morning Coffee; where we bring you links to the most interesting blogs, videos and interviews from around the web. This will be a weekly column aimed at giving fans a summary of the previous week and something to read on a Saturday morning while drinking your favourite beverage (for those wondering, the Leafs mug above is currently listed on eBay). For casual fans who are interested in following the team, but would rather have a summary of what has happened, this column will provide you with that. Without further ago, here are your links in a headache-resistant neon blue:

• Maple Leafs Hotstove's Joe Cino takes a look at the Marlies Forward Prospects in 2010.
• SkinnyFish over at Pension Plan Puppets is tired about the constant hate for Mikhail Grabovski.
• Maple Stir-up approves of the Clarke MacArthur signing and answers some questions surrounding the Leafs.
• Leafs HQ summarizes the Leafs recent transactions, takes a look at some of the happenings around the league and is giving away Leafs jerseys.
• The NHL and NHLPA have agreed on new contract rules and approved Ilya Kovalchuk's 15 year, $100 million contract with the New Jersey Devils.
• The Toronto Star showcases the top prospects - including Nazem Kadri - who posed for their 2010-11 rookie hockey cards. The Star also takes a look at Tyler Bozak's off season and expectations for the upcoming season.
• Newly opened Real Sports Bar and Grill, located next to the Air Canada Centre, was named America's Best Sports Bar by ESPN (yes, I voted two to three times a day).
• The Leafs unveiled a new centre ice design with Canadian flags along the centre red line.
• Leafs President and GM Brian Burke had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of flying in a Snowbird with the Royal Canadian Air Force.

Here is a Maple Leafs 2010-11 Season Preview video created by gmc1331 to get you energized for the new season. Unfortunately, it does not fit in the column and therefore shows that we're always thinking outside of the box.


THE FAN 590's Howard Berger interviewed the likes of new-Leaf Clarke MacArthur, blue and white hopeful Nazem Kadri, Phil Kessel and interview with Tyler Bozak and Mike Komisarek. Some interesting tidbits from those interviews about each player's training in the off season and expectations for the upcoming season.

That's it for the first edition of the Saturday Morning Coffee. Feel free to send a link to your blog or video if you think it should be featured in this column. Send your link to info@leafsnationonline.com, message it to us on Twitter or post it in the comments section below. Enjoy your Labour Day Weekend!

Tomas Kaberle 2010-11 Preview

Atop the Leafs list of priorities to upgrade leading into the off season was to address the lack of scoring and size up front by acquiring a top six forward. The Leafs 214 goals scored last season ranked them 26th overall in the NHL. The lack of offense and the abundance of defenseman led to speculation that the Leafs were interested in moving veteran defenseman Tomas Kaberle for a top six winger who could compliment Phil Kessel. After months of speculation on where Kaberle could be headed, Kaberle stayed a member of the blue and white at the end of the day. The August 15th deadline came and gone without any activity. Two rumored deals that involved names like Ryan Malone from Tampa Bay and Derek Joslin from San Jose did not meet the expectations that Burke set before embarking on a summer long shopping trip.

Now that we know Kaberle is returning for another season – his thirteenth as a Leaf – we can safely pencil him in on the first defensive pairing with Dion Phaneuf. Kaberle’s smooth skating and puck moving abilities compliment that of Phaneuf, who can lay the body and tee up slap shots on the power play. Despite the outcome of not acquiring a top six forward, Kaberle brings irreplaceable qualities to the team that put the Leafs in good stead in a playoff atmosphere. Kaberle provides a smooth, stable presence from the backend and is a calming influence for younger players like Luke Schenn and Carl Gunnarsson.

Despite having the second worst power play in the league last season, the additions of Kris Versteeg and Clarke MacArthur and the Leafs decision to retain Kaberle, give the team a strong chance of improving upon last season’s numbers.

Kaberle will never be considered a punishing defenceman, nor will he ever be counted on to lead the team in blocked shots. His designated role as a first pass, puck moving defenseman suits him well and will be an integral part of the Leafs bid to make the playoffs. Kaberle’s 21 minutes per game average is likely to decrease next season to give more opportunity for Carl Gunnarsson, although expect Kaberle to still score between 40 and 45 points. His -16 plus/minus last season was last on the team. If he plans on playing first pairing minutes, that number must be improved this season.

Kaberle’s contract expires next summer so the discussion over whether the Leafs will re-sign the veteran and the potential asking price will be hot topics throughout the season. Depending on where the Leafs sit in the post season race, the team will evaluate whether to ask his agent, Rick Curran, for a list of teams he’d accept a trade to. However, if the Leafs are in playoff contention, it would be wise to retain Kaberle, who has past playoff experience and has skills that come in handy in the playoffs. Letting him walk on July 1st, 2011 would be detrimental for the franchise, who have put years of development into him. Based on all indications, Kaberle and his agent are willing to discuss an extension, but will only settle for a long-term contract to finish out the rest of his career. Speculation was rampant all summer regarding his trade status, but it may be rampant once again on whether he will re-sign with the Leafs, be moved at the deadline or walk as a free agent next summer. Only time will tell.

2009-10 Statistics
82 games, 7 goals, 42 assists, 49 points, 24 penalty minutes

2010-11 Prediction
81 games, 6 goals, 39 assists, 47 points, 18 penalty minutes

3 Burning Questions

1 – Do you think Tomas Kaberle will be able to refocus on his game after a tumultuous off season filled with trade speculation and rumors about him not being interested in playing for Ron Wilson?

2 – Will Kaberle finish the season with Toronto or be asked for a list of teams that he’d accept a trade to at the trade deadline?

3 – If not, do you think he will re-sign with the Leafs or walk as a free agent next summer?

Feel free to chime in with your answers or share your predictions in the comments section.

Dion Phaneuf 2010-11 Preview

The majority of Maple Leafs observers and prognosticators – including the acclaimed Hockey News Yearbook – are predicting the team to finish out of the playoffs for a sixth straight reason. Expectations are higher than last season, but are not outlandish after the Leafs finished second last in the entire NHL last season. Who can blame The Hockey News for predicting the Leafs to miss the dance when they failed to address the lack of top six scoring? However, observers can’t highlight the defensive core as the reason for not competing for the post season.

The Leafs defence is a reason for optimism, led by newly minted captain Dion Phaneuf, who will anchor the blue line. Phaneuf, a 9th overall pick by the Calgary Flames in 2003, entered the league as a highly touted two-way defensive with a booming shot from the point and terrorizing body checks. The 6-foot-3, 215 pound defenseman tallied 20 goals and 49 points, along with 93 penalty minutes, in his rookie season. He followed than up by avoiding a sophomore slump and notching 17 goals and 50 points in his second season. Phaneuf truly became amongst the NHL’s elite when he had a 60-point season in 2007-08 with Calgary, where he was a finalist for the Norris Trophy, awarded annually to the NHL’s best defenseman. Adding 7 points in 7 playoffs games boosted his stock and secured his status as one of the best up-and-coming defenseman.

After being awarded with a new six-year contract that would pay him an average of $6.5 million annually, Phaneuf came back to earth and scored on 47 points in 2008-09; 13 fewer than the previous season. A disappointing 5-game first round loss to the Chicago Blackhawks prompted the Flames to bolster their already formidable defense by acquiring star defenseman Jay Bouwmeester from the Florida Panthers. This was the first sign that the Flames were no longer banking their hope in Phaneuf, which eventually led to a falling out between the defenseman and coach Brent Sutter. On January 31st, 2010, the Maple Leafs made a monumental trade by snapping up Phaneuf from Calgary along with prospects, in exchange for a group of rather expendable players.

Phaneuf immediately had an impact on and off the ice; leading by example and representing the type of team that Brian Burke is attempting to assemble. His leadership, character and passion earned him the honour of being named captain at a press conference in June. After an uneventful off season, Phaneuf is eager to lead ‘his team’ back to the glory lands. A fresh start in a hockey driven city has boded well for him and promising for an illustrious career as a Maple Leaf. The 25-year old is the backbone of the Leafs rebuild and will be counted on when it matters most.

2009-10 Statistics
81 games, 12 goals, 20 assists, 32 points, 83 penalty minutes

2010-11 Prediction
82 games, 15 goals, 32 assists, 47 points, 102 penalty minutes

3 Burning Questions

1 – What are your point projections for Dion Phaneuf this season?

2 – Is Phaneuf capable of handling the pressure and responsibility that comes with being the captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs?

3 – Will Phaneuf regain status as one of the elite defenseman in the NHL?

Feel free to chime in with your answers or share your predictions in the comments section.

Jonas Gustavsson 2010-11 Preview

Maple Leafs brass had high hopes for Jonas Gustavsson - otherwise known as 'The Monster' - last season after beating out three other teams to sign the acrobatic goalie. There was reason for optimism after Gustavsson was coming off a spectacular season in the Swedish Elite League, where he posted stellar numbers en route to winning the Le Mat Trophy after Farjestad was crown league champions. He also displayed his size and athleticism at the 2009 World Hockey Championships, where Sweden took home a silver medal. However, Gustavsson was forced to leave the tournament to be with his ill mother.

After signing with the Maple Leafs, J-Gus came over to North America to meet with Leafs management and players and become familiar with the city of Toronto. He trained with the team throughout August and into September, although dealt with two heart ablations during the Leafs training camp in September. This caused a significant setback for the rookie and put the team into a rather uncomfortable position. Fans wanted to see Gustavsson carry the load to determine if he was the real deal, but Ron Wilson handed the reins to Vesa Toskala. After going 0-7-1 out of the gate, the Leafs had already taken two proverbial steps back under Toskala.

Gustavsson made his first appearance on October 3rd against the Washington Capitals, but posted back-to-back losses in his first two starts. After surrendering five goals against over those two games, fans were cautiously optimistic over Gustavsson’s potential as a starting goalie in the NHL. As the season progressed and the rookie adjusted to the National Hockey League, it became clear that he has the abilities to carry the Leafs as the club’s number one goaltender.

It was solidified when Vesa Toskala, the former starting goalie, was shipped to the Anaheim Ducks along with Jason Blake, in exchange for Stanley Cup winner and former Conn Smythe winner Jean-Sebastien Giguere. This move marked a changing of the guard for the Leafs and showed the organization’s faith in Gustavsson. Giguere was brought in to provide veteran leadership and competition for the 25-year old Swede. From that point on, Gustavsson posted a 7-game win streak, along with a 2.00 GAA and 0.929 SV%. He capitalized on his opportunity and made up for several early season gaffes.

With several new off season additions and the news that Kaberle is returning, most of the storylines surrounding the blue and white do not involve Gustavsson. Despite his importance to this team, the pressure heading into this season isn’t overwhelming. It may prove to be a good thing for him because he had to deal with so much pressure last season and was forced to play in a much different environment in Toronto than he faced in Sweden. Armed with a new contract and sense of confidence, Gustavsson is poised to breakout this season as a legitimate starting goaltender. One could say the Leafs will only go as far as 'The Monster' does.

2009-10 Statistics
42 games, 16 wins, 15 losses, 9 overtime losses, 0.902 SV%, 2.87 GAA, 1 shutout

2010-11 Prediction
44 games, 23 wins, 15 losses, 6 overtime losses, 0.910 SV%, 2.52 GAA, 3 shutouts

3 Burning Questions

1 - Will Jonas Gustavsson develop into a legitimate starting goaltender for the Leafs this season?

2 - Does Gustavsson have the durability to start a stretch of games or does he benefit from rotating with a veteran backup?

3 - How many wins will Gustavsson earn this season?

Feel free to chime in with your answers or share your predictions in the comments section.

Maple Leafs Annual

I picked up my copy of Maple Leafs Annual yesterday and was impressed by the quality of work produced by the talented team of writers at Maple Leafs Hot Stove. The magazine includes detailed scouting reports, statistics, interviews and many other features to get you ready for the season. Be sure to pick up your copy today!