Leafs Sign Clarke MacArthur

Doorman wrote:

On paper I really like what I see! What we get on the Ice will prob. be; Well lots of questions to answer here. Here is a few I will put forward.
Dion: How does he handle his new role as Captain of the team. If he cant; I think the team will
be in real trouble. Hopefuly he has learned what it takes to be a leader. Does he get back to respectable numbers this year? I think so.
Goal; 15 games for the tandem of Giggy and the Monster. Not bad. Still think there is concern
here; But If one of them shits the bed here; We have a very good farm to pick from. Giggy is long on tooth, and I thought at times a little slow.
Center: 15 games Bozak Looked great. But that was only 15 games;; He will really havee to preform as our number 1 center. Grabs: Burke wants 6o pts. I think grabs can do it with the right wingers to complimment his play as oour # 2 center. Kadri: Whats to say. Show Me.
Mitchell: If Mitch can do what we all know he is capable of; we could have the best 4th line in the NHL. IMO. We shall see.
Def: The only concern I have here is: Kabs. That SOB. Had better sign before the seasoon starts, or wave his ntc. Either or; I dont care. Dont want to see that BS in the dressing room.
Wingers; Kuli is a guy that could surprise us all; Maybe he can turn it up a notch to become a number 1 forward. I think the rest are what yoou see on paper is what you will get.
The power Play. If it stinks as bad as last year; I will blame it on Wilson. We are to good to finish last. No excuses this time.
The PKer: This must improve; and from what I saw from the last 15 games it should. Better goaltending, Morew def minded forwards, and air tight def. should make us tough to pplay against short handed.
Mr. Burke: Its his team now. From jan. 31st last year till now has been nothing short of REMARKABLE on what Burke has done. I think he is on the right track; We shall see!
GO LEAFS GO!

The way I see it, the only 3 forwards I have no real concern over are Kessel, Kulemin and Versteeg.

As for John Mitchell, I still don’t know what this guy is really capable of, or if he can really even become a decent NHL player for that matter. The only thing he’s really developed well so far is a pretty slick shootout move.

@ Dan hockey fan:

True.

Plus, as you said, we really do need A LOT of those guys stepping up their game and alot of things to go right to have any shot at the playoffs this year. Although it is very fair to think we will at least do a little better than we did in 09/10, making the playoffs is still a real longshot at best because of all the variables and unknowns that are on our team.

And to the more optimistic fans here (which there seem to be a lot of, which is not a bad thing). I’m sorry but I’m tempering my expectations for this year because we don’t have enough proven players (particularly forwards) and I don’t want to set myself up for disappointment. Obviously anything’s possible but I’m going to say no playoffs this year, and if I’m wrong I’ll be ecstatic.