Good news, everyone! Over the next couple of weeks, MLHS will be releasing Player Reviews for the Toronto Maple Leafs 2012-2013 season. Every day leading up the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, we’ll profile one Leaf player that will reflect upon their peaks, valleys and overall performance this season. The goals, the hits, the glory and the heartbreak that led to the first post-season berth in nine years.
But these write-ups will be different from years past, for two reasons. The first will be the frequent use of the word ‘playoffs.’ The second will be the role we need you, the readers, to play.
Ahead of the reviews, the writers rated each player* based upon their utilization in the lineup and how effectively they performed in their role. We also thought it useful to consider our initial expectations in light of their results. We’re already vastly aware of the impact of Phil Kessel’s offense had to the Leafs. But how do you quantify the full impact of Jay McClement’s stellar season? Considering their usage instead of pure talent, both had career-best performances this season.
What we want you to do is give us your two cents on the players being reviewed. Cast your ballot in the comments section of the Player Review, rating his season from 1-10. We’ll tally your ratings, and once the reviews are completed, we’ll compare your input with our numbers. We all agreed it would be an interesting exercise to see just exactly how even the perception of players are.
Please keep in mind; we want the rating to reflect how well the player performed this season given their role. So when going through the rating process, consider these questions:
- After a couple false starts, is Nazem Kadri number 43 on your scorecards and #1 in your heart for his profoundly successful 2012-2013 season?
- How do you evaluate the inconsistent play of top-nine wingers Matt Frattin, Nikolai Kulemin and Clarke MacArthur, while considering their decent offensive seasons (~0.5 points per game)?
- Who excelled more in their role? Colton Orr the enforcer or Mikhail Grabovski the shutdown centre?
- Dion Phaneuf and Cody Franson finished the season one point apart, but what were you expecting them to do at the top of the year?
But don’t just leave us your number. Make your vote count by fuelling the debate. Support your argument in the comments section. Defend your favourites and pillory Bozak the guys you don’t like. Check back this afternoon as Declan starts off the end of season Player Reviews with the captain, Dion Phaneuf.
Links:
MLHS’s 2013 NHL Draft Series – Bo Horvat.
He’s had a huge season in London, but will he fall to the Leafs?
Yesterday’s Leafs Roundtable
Concerns on realignment becomes more poignant as the Detroit Red Wings have pushed the Chicago Blackhawks to the brink.
James Mirtle and Jonas Siegel with their offseason edition of the Leaf Report Podcast.
Notable takeaway: The pair agrees that the Leafs are all but certain to re-sign Orr AND McLaren. Sads may now be had, unless you kneel at the altar of truculence.
Hilarious fan post from PPP eulogizing the Maple Leafs season set to the tune of Bohemian Rhapsody.
Hall of Famer Patrick Roy has been named the new head coach of the Colorado Avalanche.
The upside of the perennial end-of-season culling of NHL head coaches is seeing horribly, horribly bad choices getting made.
