Well the Maple Leafs matched their least successful 10 game stretch earning only 8 points based on 4 wins. They regressed as the result of mounting injuires - something they had been able to avoid during the first 20 games of the season. During the most recent stretch the team was missing first line centre Matt Stajan as well as their most reliable defensemen - rookie Luke Schenn and Mike van Ryn. In addition, Vesa Toskala has sat out some starts as a result of a sore groin.
With Stajan out of the lineup, Antropov once again leads the team in scoring with 31 points. His also tied with Ponikarovsky for the team lead in goals with 13. Scoring is pretty spread out so the team may have as many as 5 20-goal scorers this season. Last season the Leafs only had 2 players that reached the 20 goal mark. Ian White leads the team in +/- (+6) while John Mitchell and John Mayer are tied with the worst rating on the team (-10). Mikhail Grabovski has cooled off considerably and has dropped to 5th place in rookie scoring.
With NHL and Brian Burke's trading embargo now over, there is considerable speculation regarding trades. Burke's first trade was with Anaheim to acquire some toughness with Brad May. Many fans will question this move since the Leafs gave up another draft pick (6th in 2010) for a 37 year old enforcer. The move is clearly to continue the process of changing the team chemistry. The coach and GM want the players to compete every night but the team continues to take some nights off. May has an excellent work ethic and is expected to provide some leadership in the short term. Management recognizes the need to change the team chemistry during the rebuild. Not too many more trades are expected until closer to the trade deadline when offers tend to max out.
12 years ago
