Leafs move up the standings after big win over the Panthers
After struggling for the first quarter of the season, the Leafs have seemed to finally turned the corner. They now sit first in their division, and 2 points out of 3rd place in the Conference after a huge 6-3 road win against the Panthers, who happen to be that 3rd place team.
A far cry from wondering if they would even make the playoffs, mind you, they cant forget that another losing skid can quickly put them back in that position. For now, lets keep things positive.
The Leafs are on a hot streak, going 7-2-1 in their past 10. So should this be surprising? Are they playing over their heads or finally up to their potential? I think other GMs have short memories, and forget this team finished with 108 points, and 3rd overall in the league last year, and until last week, had 95% of the same team with drastically different results. A recent blockbuster deal has seemed to woke this team up, and brought back the chemistry that was lacking.
A quick review of the new players stats will show you that each player has been contributing.
D 27 Teppo Numminen
MAP 5 3 2 5 5
F 13 Mats Sundin
MAP 5 2 2 4 3
D 48 Igor Knyazev
MAP 5 0 1 1 5
F 11 Shawn Horcoff
MAP 5 1 2 3 4
F 28 Adam Nittel
MAP 5 2 1 3 2
F 22 Magnus Arvedson
MAP 5 2 1 3 -2
As you can see, every player has contributed, many in ways that werent expected. Teppo was expected to help with the defensive side, however his point per game pace is a huge plus. Horcoff and Arvedson also were brought in for their checking skills, yet they too have produced. Arvedson time on the pro might be short lived if he cant improve his +/-. Tough guy Adam Nittel has also found a scoring touch. Mats Sundin is doing what Mats should be.
The team would still like to improve themselves on the RW. With the Hurricanes landing Cisar, a player the Leafs had their eyes on, they will have to look elsewhere for depth help.
Next up for the Leafs...
475 BlackHawk at MapleLeaf
A far cry from wondering if they would even make the playoffs, mind you, they cant forget that another losing skid can quickly put them back in that position. For now, lets keep things positive.
The Leafs are on a hot streak, going 7-2-1 in their past 10. So should this be surprising? Are they playing over their heads or finally up to their potential? I think other GMs have short memories, and forget this team finished with 108 points, and 3rd overall in the league last year, and until last week, had 95% of the same team with drastically different results. A recent blockbuster deal has seemed to woke this team up, and brought back the chemistry that was lacking.
A quick review of the new players stats will show you that each player has been contributing.
D 27 Teppo Numminen
MAP 5 3 2 5 5
F 13 Mats Sundin
MAP 5 2 2 4 3
D 48 Igor Knyazev
MAP 5 0 1 1 5
F 11 Shawn Horcoff
MAP 5 1 2 3 4
F 28 Adam Nittel
MAP 5 2 1 3 2
F 22 Magnus Arvedson
MAP 5 2 1 3 -2
As you can see, every player has contributed, many in ways that werent expected. Teppo was expected to help with the defensive side, however his point per game pace is a huge plus. Horcoff and Arvedson also were brought in for their checking skills, yet they too have produced. Arvedson time on the pro might be short lived if he cant improve his +/-. Tough guy Adam Nittel has also found a scoring touch. Mats Sundin is doing what Mats should be.
The team would still like to improve themselves on the RW. With the Hurricanes landing Cisar, a player the Leafs had their eyes on, they will have to look elsewhere for depth help.
Next up for the Leafs...
475 BlackHawk at MapleLeaf
posted by Leafs GM at 11:22 AM
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