Question Period – Leafs Edition

1) 20-25 goals is reasonable. Much of that will depend on his ice-time remaining the same. If his defensive play continues to be reliable, he should remain on the second line. Also, Grabovski’s game will impact his numbers as well – will Grabovski hit a wall, or can he maintain consistency in production through 80 games?

2) Grabovski is a dark horse for the Calder, and will receive consideration so long as he can avoid hitting the “rookie wall” and remain consistent through 80 games. Watch out for Stamkos, though, he may get hot as the season progresses and his ice time increases. Oscar Mollar may also present a challenge – he is getting more noticeable with every game.

3) Last season started out the same way for Toskala. Slow start, people questioned the acquisition, and then he got hot. I would be inclined to wait until mid-season to make a judgment on him … I will say that given the rebuilding process, an up-and-down year should be expected of anyone between the pipes, this season.

4) His first trade will be to acquire more grit up front. The Leafs, despite some courageous efforts, have been pushed around in the corners and in front of the opposition’s net.

5) Yes. I don’t know if he is the “savior” he has been touted as during the past year of speculation, but at least he brings a sense of stability and confidence to the position. Confidence was lacking during Ferguson’s tenure, and stability has been an issue during the “interim-status” era of Fletcher Redux.

6) He kicks a** and takes names, which is exactly what a young squad searching for an identity needs. Chuck Norris would be afraid to cross this guy.

7) If Pogge has a decent season this year, he should be given a definite chance in camp to prove he belongs in the NHL. At some point, he needs NHL experience to take the next step in development … and for the team to find out what he is made of. By next year, he will have had enough Pro experience to have earned at least a shot at it.

8 ) I would trade the 1st pick and stockpile. I think the Leafs would do better, from a rebuilding standpoint, to get two or three very good players, as opposed to one player who *might* be great. Tavares’ stock is reportedly in decline … so that may bear monitoring. Hedman could be great, too … but I would rather pick, say, two of Jared Cowan, Nazim Kadri, Brayden Schenn, Evander Kane or Ryan Ellis. Long-term, a balance of talent across the team will lead to greater success than one star-potential player. If Tavares were of Crosby-Ovechkin ilk, I’d take him … but I see him as a notch below those two, so I’d rather trade and stockpile.

9) Leaf players dealt at the deadline: Kaberle, Antropov, Ponikarovski for sure. Kubina if the deal is right. Some salary would have to come back, though, if both Kaberle and Kubina are to be moved.

10) Trade veterans for draft picks or young players with expiring entry level deals (e.g. Staal or Kessel). Draft philosophy focus on trading down a top pick in order to acquire a number of “B+” players (as opposed to one “A” player). Work to build depth at all positions via the draft (which means avoid RFA signings like the plague). UFA signings would serve two purposes: add grit/character, and meet salary cap floor.