Will The ‘Frat Boys’ Make The Leafs?
While the pre-season may be a warm-up session for the veterans players of the Toronto Maple Leafs, it is a period of turmoil for youngsters like Viktor Stalberg, Tyler Bozak and Christian Hanson.
The trio of collegiate hockey players are no doubt anxiously awaiting their fate with the Buds. And with the regular season set to debut on October 1st, they will be informed soon.
While it is conceivable to assume that atleast one of them will find a spot on the roster, is it unrealistic to expect all three to make the big club?
Perhaps, but judging from the individual performances from some of the Leafs’ players this training camp, I’d say the chance of that happening has gone upward.
Brian Burke has publicly stated that the Leafs could ice a line-up with a format consisting of three scoring lines, leaving the fourth line responsible to implement grit and energy into the team. Considering the Leafs have an abundance of truculent players, (I seriously have to get over that word) I’d say heading into the season with a top-nine format is worth a trial period.
With that said, here are some of the players that have dissapointed me thus far:
Rickard Wallin: Quite simply, he is not a better version of Matt Stajan, despite what some Leafs fans seem to think. He’s been virtually invisible out there, struggling to materialize any sort of offense. While his defensive game is sound, he’s nothing the Leafs don’t already have. Even if he does manage to make the team, he might find himself on the fourth line if he doesn’t find a comfort level.
Nikolai Kulemin: He has progressively gotten better, but he’s not having the camp most Leafs fans had hoped. He’s been subject to turnovers and a number of failed opportunities in the offensive end. Inconsistency seems to be an issue with the 23-year-old, and there are already early signs of the dreaded sophomore slump. He might find himself on the Toronto Marlies if he doesn’t rise to the occasion this weekend.
Jiri Tlusty: I didn’t even realize he was playing until he was granted a penalty shot last night. And he was fortunate to score that goal against Ryan Miller, let’s be honest. He still has promise considering he scored at a point-per-game pace in the American Hockey League last season, but, like Kulemin, he will have to make the best of his opportunities this weekend.
All three of the players listed above have been considered as potential candidates to start opening night. And quite frankly, Bozak, Stalberg and Hanson have all proven to be more reliable during their respective tenures thus far.
Burke has said he’s not afraid of sending down players with one-way contracts, and if he’s true to his word, then we should witness this soon if he intends on icing the best possible lineup against the Montreal Canadiens next Thursday.
And it’s not as if the trio of college players are in position similar to Nazim Kadri. They are all 23 years old and have the physical requirements to withstand the rigors of the NHL.
Judging players from pre-season performance can often lead to disappointment, but considering the Leafs are currently fleshing out the youth to mold a better club for the future, the time is now to experiment.
Give these youngsters a shot on the big club. There’s nothing to lose.
You stay classy, MLHS.
ronguillet@mapleleafshotstove.com
September 24th, 2009 at 8:08 pm
I think Alec had it right, we wont be seeing many rookies at the start of this season IMO. i think our lines will look something like this
Blake Stajan Hagman
Poni Grabs Kulemin
Wallin Mitchell Stempniak
Mayers Primeau Orr
it almost fits the top 6 bottom 6 layout. the 3rd line is the only one that is off a little but with Mitchell and Wallin there it would be a good defensive line that can pot a few goals from time to time. I wouldnt mind Stemp being replaced by Stalberg but i dont think its going to happen, at least not right away
September 24th, 2009 at 8:08 pm
Is it lame for a person to have his own opinion? If so, then I guess you are lame as well.
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And by the way, I don’t jump on or off any bandwagons. If I don’t like what I see, that’s it and I don’t like what I see in Stajan.
September 24th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
haha, no I am totally fine with somebody having their opinion. It is just ridiculous when people act like he shouldn’t even have a spot in the NHL. He plays a pretty solid 2 way game and is a great team guy. He puts up the odd point, and isn’t as soft on his feet as people like to pretend. I’m all for people having their own opinion, but I am just going to remind them they are wrong… no matter how many times some old man named HonestHockey tries to tell me I am an idiot!
September 24th, 2009 at 8:20 pm
Why are they wrong? Do you know anything about hockey? Have you ever played? If so, to what level? Any other kind of hockey experience, coaching, scouting, some management maybe?
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Just your one comment about him not being as soft on his feet makes me very suspicious. Seriously, he falls down quite possibly more than any NHL player I have ever seen.
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And what do you consider old by the way? Is 44 old to you? If it is, that’s pretty naive of you, as I happen to 44.
September 24th, 2009 at 8:20 pm
Stajan first line center, LMAO. Biggest Pansy ever. Please people.
September 24th, 2009 at 8:22 pm
I really don’t think Wallin has earned a spot. He has been utterly invisible. Although, if he takes Primeau’s spot, I’m ok with that. But it seems like RW has a boner for Primeau. In my mind, Kulemin deserves a warm seat on the Marlies bus. He’s a floater. Tlusty will probably stay based on the hard work he showed from last year. I like Bozak, Hanson and Stalberg. They all bring something different. Bozak is quick, smart, good defensively, and a smooth playmaker. Stalberg is a solid, super-fast, up and down winger, with a good release. Hanson is big, strong, adequate in his own end, and works the corners well. To me, that has all the makings of a good line. These guys are hardly 18 year olds either. I’m beginning to think RW doesn’t work well with young players. Looks like Quinn wasn’t so bad after all.
I really can’t stand Stempniak. We’re stuck with Blake. Poni is good when he uses his size. Stajan’s got a spot. Hagman’s a lock. Orr is too. I think Rosehill has worked his ass off to make the team(and push Mayers out). I also like Mitchell.
Hagman – Stajan – Blake
Ponikarovsky – Grabovski – Tlusty
Stalberg – Bozak – Hanson
Orr – Mitchell – Rosehill
That gives us a good balance of skill, size, speed and grit. Of course adding Kessel will change everything! I can’t wait.
September 24th, 2009 at 8:23 pm
you all have to consider that there really is no legitimate 1st line in my lineup. it would work something like it did last year, the line that is producing at the time would get the minutes.
@2minutes
LOL!!!
September 24th, 2009 at 8:23 pm
Wow… What’s with the Stajan bashing… Give the guy some credit, he had to the fill the void that Sundin left and put up 50 plus points on a mediocre team. If Burke does what I think he will do, Stajan will be a third line center and if he can even come close to those numbers what else could you ask for out of the guy.. He matured defensively and his speed has picked significanly. He has just begun letting the game come to him instead of chasing it..
September 24th, 2009 at 8:23 pm
I think Grabs falls down more then any player i’ve ever seen before.
September 24th, 2009 at 8:26 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3EuXTd4Y8U
September 24th, 2009 at 8:36 pm
Anyone who has stempniak in there lineup is retarted… Among our top 6 future players they are Kessel, Kadri, (one of the college kids ) (one of grabo,Kulemin,Tlusty) ( one of poni,hagman) and another very talented player via trade, free agency. Stempniak has less potential in my mind out of all the guys i mentioned and thats not even takling stefonavich dale mitchel etc into consideration. He’s older then all of them apart from poni, hagman so why take a a roster spot from someone who has a chance on our future…He has 1 year left so he’s perfect for healthy scratch, or to sit him in the minors. I would give him 30-50 games max…
September 24th, 2009 at 8:47 pm
@LeafsRyan…
I agree, Stemp is a total plug. I’m not really sure what Fletch saw in him.
September 24th, 2009 at 8:57 pm
aaron hill, adam lind, travis snider, Jp richadri for Ovechkin
September 24th, 2009 at 8:58 pm
I think Stalberg is going to be the real deal, great size, speed, going to be a thirty goal man in the bigs. If it is between Stalberg, Tlusty, and Kulemin, I pick Stalberg…and I also agree that most should layoff of Stajan, he was put in a tough spot by our former Captain, Sundin (shall I play or not), speaking of which, we probably would have got the same for him as we gave to Boston for Kessel, how nice would have that been, and this would have been Sundin’s greatest accomplishment in Toronto, I still think he is an overated ass!
September 24th, 2009 at 9:03 pm
@wags
ill even through in romero
September 24th, 2009 at 10:33 pm
its obvious the monster signed in TO only if burkie signed his buddy wallin. its why wallin is making this team. you don’t need inside info to know this.
September 24th, 2009 at 10:36 pm
Stemp is a plug. But until Kessel returns, Kadri makes the team in 1-2 years, until we sign that other talented top six…. Stempniak will play.
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He has one year left on his contract. They won’t cut him. He’ll play and get traded at some point between now and the deadline.
September 24th, 2009 at 10:38 pm
@ Gilmour2halloffame
It’s not obvious at all. Gustavsson signed a few days before Wallin did. Burke has gone on record saying that the two signings were unrelated.
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Wallin is a dependable checker. Nothing more. Don’t expect a lot of offense from him.
September 24th, 2009 at 10:40 pm
@ wags31
Stalberg potting 30 goals may be a bit of a stretch. I agree though he has the makings of an ideal top six power forward in the league.
September 24th, 2009 at 10:52 pm
respectfully @ danvertising
…don’t you remember the monster took longer to make his “decision” then was originally planned. Then 2 signings in 1 week (monster/wallin) and just because they were announced in the order they were announced it doesnt mean they weren’t doing their handshake deals before. Furthermore The monster will be on the roster 100% no matter how bad his performance is in Detroit tomorrow.
September 25th, 2009 at 12:17 am
I think Alec Brownscombe made a good point about training camp, and it’s purpose. The kids have been put in positions to play impotant minutes, while many of the vets have played limited time so far. So it is a little hard to compare.
But I do have to say that Primeau, Mayers, Wallin, and Stempniak for what ever reason appear less useful than Bozak, Hanson, Stalbeg, and Kid Kadri. I would say that the kids have played very well. The kids have played alot of hockey and still haven’t broke. Hhmmm…
There are still a few games to go. Decisions are yet to be made. Detroit will be a good test.
Maybe BB figures they all need one more year of seasoning. Maybe he kicks some tires to see if there are any deals to be made. Maybe he cuts some vets.
September 25th, 2009 at 1:06 am
grabo is a frequently dislodged helmet away from a berezin dead ringer… oh yeah, that and about a dozen goals per season:) i’m not sold on this guy, and even less so on Tlusty and Kulemin, but my take on it is this: we are not winning the cup this year, there is time for a long audition for everyone and i think this is the approach Wilson and BB are taking. its just a matter of where that “audition” time will have the most benefit to a players development. i would amost go as far to say that for some starting in the big show is less recognition and more a case of sleeping in the bed they made, as in: “ok, you are x years old, you have y number of games under your belt, no AHL, no junior, you have to prove yourself at the NHL level or not at all”. of course that is my humble and very much amateur opinion.
as an asidem i have always been impressed with the amount of knowledge and insight not only from the writers (expected, somewhat) but from the folks posting comments. i think we all look better and more credble without the ad hominem attacks polluting the posts. its a shame when some of you guys undermine your considerable knowledge by stooping to name calling and insults. just my two cents,
Peter.
September 25th, 2009 at 3:30 am
I hate this stupid ‘Frat Boys’ nickname. Retarded. If they play they wont be on one line. But they should be on the team.
September 25th, 2009 at 8:46 am
Ron Wilson will chose his team of the players Burke has signed to contracts.
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No member of The “Frat Pack” has played more than a 40 game schedule in two seasons. They may be 23, but the AHL is where they will learn what it takes to play professional hockey, night
in, night out for 82 games, and however many practices.
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Tlusty belongs in the minors. Kulemin and Wallin have shown little offensive potential, but both play safe solid games in their own end. This is a huge positive in RW mind. Kule and Wallin are better defensive players than any of the “Frat Pack”. This is why they will make the team ove the “Frat Pack”
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Kule may not be as offensively gifted as we all hoped.
September 25th, 2009 at 9:41 am
@Mumbular
Like Tlusty?
If you’re an 18 year old kid who needs top 6 minutes to progress I agree in sending them to the AHL. However, if you are big, fast and strong like Stalberg, what is the point. He can progress with 12 minutes a game and score more goals and points than Stempniak with 18+ a game. Put Stalberg on the third line RW and you will have a guy backcheck and bring the puck up and control it each shift.
September 25th, 2009 at 9:48 am
@ B Leaf
“I think Alec Brownscombe made a good point about training camp, and it’s purpose. The kids have been put in positions to play impotant minutes, while many of the vets have played limited time so far. So it is a little hard to compare.”
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“But I do have to say that Primeau, Mayers, Wallin, and Stempniak for what ever reason appear less useful than Bozak, Hanson, Stalbeg, and Kid Kadri”
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For whatever reason… you answered that reason in the first part of your post lol.
September 25th, 2009 at 9:50 am
@ Spayde
The backchecking is the problem regarding Stalberg. According to Wilson. He also has trouble clearing the zone.
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You can’t put him in a 3rd line role, just yet. Wallin and Kulemin are better suited for those roles. And in Kulemin’s case, has just as much offensive potential.
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Developing in the AHL is a good thing. It will, in the long run, benefit these players.
September 25th, 2009 at 10:30 am
@Danvertising
I disagree, respectfully. Clearing the zone is a criticism that RW did make. But he has criticized the kids the whole way. Keeping their confidence in check. That seems to be the only criticism one can make about him. If RW was worried about his defensive game he wouldn’t be used so frequently, and might I add effectively, on the PK. He has not been on the ice for a PP goal to date and has had numerous rushes. This kid can play checking line roles, and Wallin may find himself on the 4th line and Kulemin will be in top 6 by all accounts. Who other than those 2 will fill out our 3rd line? I think we will find him there on oct 1, well I sure hope we do!
September 25th, 2009 at 11:00 am
He’s used so often because it’s pre-season. They give young players opportunities to play in all different situations.
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I agree, he has been good. But I don’t see the value in putting him in a checking role.
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Our third line will consist of Wallin – Mitchell – 1 leftover top six (probably Blake or Stempy) , at least to start the season.
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I’d prefer he dominate in the AHL at the start of the year and get brought up once a roster spot opens up either by trade or injury. And a spot will open up, one way or another.
September 25th, 2009 at 11:18 am
@danvertising
How can put Blake on the 3rd line if Stalberg is not effective enough? I still say if that Hack Stempniak makes this team over Stalberg, Bozak or Tlusty I’m going to lose a lot of respect for RW. Stempniak has proven nothing. Absolutely Zero. 1 rebound from an almost goal from Hagman and he gets rewarded with a spot? The guy is as useless as a Manual Red Light.
September 25th, 2009 at 11:40 am
Tie Domi fell down more than any NHL’er I’ve ever seen. But please don’t tell him I said that.
September 25th, 2009 at 11:41 am
Matt Stajan is a solid 2nd line centre on over 50% of the teams in the league. A solid NHL’er. No more, no less.
September 25th, 2009 at 11:49 am
@Skar
Not that I don’t agree, I’m not a Stajan hater, but that is a difficult statement to prove.
September 25th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
@Spayde
“Like Tlusty?”
I’m not sure what that question is in referrence to?
Stalberg over Stempniak…hmmm? But how will we ever trade Stempy, if he sits in the pressbox all season? I do like the idea of the 3 NCAA guys playing as a top line in the AHL, at least to start the season.
September 25th, 2009 at 1:46 pm
@mumbular
Sorry for being unclear. I just meant that Tlusty spent most of the season in the AHL and dominated and hasn’t been able to translate that over. Stempy should be let go for a bag of pucks. Some team will pick him off waivers, at least I hope they will.
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