Gustavsson The Real Deal? + Svatos
***Be sure to check out Micheal Aldred’s blog on the future of Tyler Bozak!*** The Toronto Maple Leafs have been in search of a number one goaltender since the National Hockey League’s lockout, and after a four-year trial period—relinquishing a number of draft picks in the process— they may have finally found their man.
Jonas “The Monster” Gustavsson has produced a .901 save percentage, a 2.98 goals-against-average, one shutout and a 8-10-7 record. While those statistics are not exactly flattering, they are certainly respectable in light of the Leafs’ dismal 2009-10 season.
Yes, Gustavsson does seem to struggle with consistency, but the 25-year-old has shown considerable strides towards becoming a legitimate and respectable No.1 goaltender for the Buds.
The question, however, is if Gustavsson is good enough to eventually lead the Leafs to the promised land.
Well, quite simply, that question cannot be answered because judging the Swede’s career so quickly into his NHL career is outlandish and a prime reason why Toronto is such a pressure-cooker.
But hey, when has that ever stopped the Toronto media?
One reporter in particular suggested that the Leafs need to be certain that Gustavsson is their No.1 goalie heading into next season, and outside help should be considered if he falters during the next 38 games.
I disagree with that stance, and here’s why:
I understand that Brian Burke traded away two first-round draft picks for the next two years, but why has that created the fallacy that the Leafs need to do everything in their power to avoid relinquishing lottery picks to the Boston Bruins?
Seriously, who cares?
We’re not going to have a first-round draft pick for the next two years, so get over it. If the Leafs acquire short-term aid by means of trade or free agency, are they not entering the same hole they were in before? What picks we give up to the Bruins is not our concern anymore, what matters is the long-term vitality of the Leafs, you know, our team.
Just a year into Burke’s tenure as GM, there’s already pressure being put on him to trade for outside help? It’s fairly obvious the Leafs are not yet ready to compete with the NHL’s elite, so I was under the impression the franchise was supposed to be developing its young players?
While Gustavsson has had his problems—rebound control, lateral movement and puck control most notably— he has shown glimpses of becoming a legitimate No.1 goaltender at the NHL level. Considering he’s one of the only goaltenders post-lockout to register a save percentage above .900 for the Leafs, and at the youngest age, I’d say it’s a good indication he could be their man moving forward. But to suggest the Leafs should look to outside help after one season with a mediocre Leafs lineup? I don’t think that’s fair. It would be in the Leafs’ best interest to hold on to the assets they have, and give Gustavsson a shot as the No.1 goaltender heading into next season.
If anything, the Kessel trade should reinforce the plan to stockpile young talent and not sign or trade for short-term fix ups. I understand it’s frustrating to give up a quality pick (or two) to the Bruins, but Burke has to think about what’s best for the Leafs in the long-term,and not his personal pride.
As I’ve said before, criticisms should be kept at a minimum before questioning the Leafs’ future. Like any rebuilding (sorry, “retooling”) plan, the first season or two is always a period of adjustment, and the Leafs need to determine their assets in order to move forward. That won’t happen unless they let them play.
Please, let’s not get sucked in to this “race for eight place” stuff again.
*****
A recent rumour from The Fourth Period suggest that the Toronto Maple Leafs may be interested in the services of Colorado Avalanche forward, Marek Svatos. The asking price, it is presumed, would be as much as a third-round draft pick unless the 27-year-old picks up his game considerably.
With only six goals and three assists in 35 games with the Avs this season, should the Leafs honestly consider acquiring Svatos?
The Slovakian winger registered his best season in his rookie campaign, producing 32 goals and 50 points in 61 games. Since then, his most productive season came in the 2007-08 season when he scored 26 goals and 36 points in 62 games. Also, in his five years in the NHL, Svatos has yet to play over 70 games.
Quite simply, I do not think Svatos—who, by the way, stands at a menacing 5’9 and weighs 185 pounds— is worth a third-round draft pick, especially considering the Leafs’ shortage of draft picks already.
Instead, I think it’d be beneficial to unload the players that have no future with the Leafs—the upcoming trade deadline and off-season should help. Once that is done, Burke can begin to determine the value of the Leafs’ young players and get a better assessment on what the future holds.
You stay classy, MLHS.
ronguillet@mapleleafshotstove.com
January 15th, 2010 at 12:40 pm
@ Julie Sucks:
Ya. He’s also centered the 4th line all year though. Edmonton has more history on giving up on/stunting the development of players too. Remember when lupul? Spelling? Was traded in the pronger deal after a great start to his career. Then went there and was ruined. Then traded to philly and started playing well again. I wouldn’t give much for his because he may be another Stajan, but I don’t know enough about his play to say for sure. Someone here might though
January 15th, 2010 at 12:47 pm
2 Minutes for Looking so Guru wrote:
lol…
January 15th, 2010 at 12:47 pm
I said a week ago I bet Poni is traded for a 2nd. I would in a second too. He fits Pittsburg to a tee because they are so straped on the wing and he is cheap. If Crosby make Gurin look good, he will make poni look a 40 goal scorer lol
January 15th, 2010 at 12:48 pm
Ron Guillet wrote:
The Pens better be ready to kill off some of his stupid penalties.
January 15th, 2010 at 12:49 pm
Jordan wrote:
He may just be another highly-touted Oiler who doesn’t amount to squat a la Jason Bonsignore. But I don’t know much about him either…just going by stats. I’d take Sam Gagner though.
January 15th, 2010 at 12:49 pm
Svatos = please no.
January 15th, 2010 at 12:50 pm
ingy56 wrote:
He’ll probably fit in there well…Winning can be contagious.
January 15th, 2010 at 12:50 pm
Jordan wrote:
Ya, I think he’d be a great fit on Pittsburgh on either top line.
January 15th, 2010 at 12:50 pm
@2min
Hahaha fucking mint. Ya it was the time of my life. What a great game to go to. Also, there was a lot more passion then I expected. People were acting like we won a playoff series in the streets afterwards, and props to even the philly fans because they had fun with us too and wernt all sour over the loss. Even my girlfriend had a ball. Can’t wait to do it again!
January 15th, 2010 at 12:53 pm
Julie Sucks wrote:
Plus, he’s one of the few Leafs with any playoff experience!
January 15th, 2010 at 1:01 pm
Poni-2nd
Hagman-1st
Stajan- 3rd
Exelby-4th
If we could get that at the deadline I would be super happy. Prolly won’t get a 1st for Hagman, but I would rather keep him if not.
January 15th, 2010 at 1:03 pm
[...] sure to check out Ron Guillet’s post on Jonas Gustavsson and Micheal Aldred’s post on Tyler [...]
January 15th, 2010 at 1:07 pm
@ Jordan:
Hey Jordan,
We didn’t get around to looking for you, too busy during the intermissions and 2 Minutes and I were holding each other’s beers while we went outside.
@2 Minutes:
I wondered why you took off so fast the moment we left the arena! You were looking for a place to puke, lol.
Regarding Poni: He made a couple decent plays down low but looked pretty shitty for most of the night. I hope the Pens’ scout has his blue-tinted goggles on last night.
January 15th, 2010 at 2:00 pm
If the Leafs make a trade it will be for someone who has great on the PK and willing to block shots.
January 15th, 2010 at 2:02 pm
McKelvie wrote:
You wish.
January 15th, 2010 at 2:25 pm
modernhipster wrote:
lol man I had to piss so bad. $14 beers also take a toll on your bladder haha
January 15th, 2010 at 2:38 pm
luke wrote:
He is a shrewd manipulator and knows how to play the word game well. I can prance around all day long and tell you how I will never ask anyone to waive their no trade clause, and then put them into a corner to make them waive it just as easily. Then when asked about it say “What, I never asked him to waive!”
His words are carefully chosen, and chosen so that they don’t back him into a corner he can’t justify himself out of…
January 15th, 2010 at 2:52 pm
Gary Shields wrote:
Just like last year for instance. Specially if its obvious we are not in playoff contention. lol
January 15th, 2010 at 3:08 pm
Julie Sucks wrote:
What?
January 15th, 2010 at 3:39 pm
You heard us… You Wish!
January 15th, 2010 at 4:54 pm
Ron Guillet wrote:
He’d get to play with fellow Ukraine, Ruslan Fedotenko. With Sid and Geno feeding him the puck, imagine how many open nets Poni could miss!
January 15th, 2010 at 7:48 pm
Jordan wrote:
If we do the Pitts trade for Poni I’m holding out for a 2nd and 4th. You know they will finish high so it’s almost a third…
2nd and 4th seems fair to me as compensation for the later round pick. The greatness would be if we had another team lower in the standings willing to give us a second…and when I say low I mean say 7-10th….
January 15th, 2010 at 9:14 pm
Hagman 1st?
In your dreams.
January 15th, 2010 at 10:20 pm
I’d like to see a Poni-J.Stall-N.Horton line in Toronto.
January 16th, 2010 at 8:21 am
Jordan wrote:
we will get more then a third for Stajan……geese we got a 2nd for moore, Stajan is much better than moore
January 16th, 2010 at 8:08 pm
When BB is finishing servicing Kabs, I hope he decides to get down to building a hockey team.
For a so called Burke team, there is no toughness on the first three lines. And that has to be addressed … yesterday.
BB is all talk. And this is one truly pathetic squad. He deserves every arrow in his back.
We don’t need little waterbugs up front. We need power wingers and strong centers. That is where
all of our attention should be focused immediately.
We lost size in Antro last year – and now potentially, Poni is gone – and we’ll have no size on our ‘top’ lines (and I use that term loosely). If the Leafs go for Svatos, then MTL vs Leaf encounters will be a total smurf-fest. Good grief!
January 20th, 2010 at 9:49 pm
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