We will Start off with a little team breakdown.
Starting off the 2011/12 season the Toronto Maple Leafs looked like they had the best overall defense in the league. They had players who could score (Phaneuf, Liles), hit (Schenn, Komi), and guys with good overall game (Franson, Gunnerson). Along with a young stud who looks like the future of the franchise... Jake Gardiner. There were mostly negative things to say about the defense after the first game ended to start the season. From then on it was all about how bad the defense is playing, even though they looked great on paper. We could go on about how bad Komisarek is and how he is over paid but the one thing I have to say is at least he is playing consistent. It may not be consistently good but at least it is consistent. Komisarek may have been the best D on the team in terms on consistency. Phaneuf couldn't hit a soccer net, Liles was injured, Schenn wasnt sure when to pass or not, Franson was watching the team from 300 feet above the ice, and Gunnerson just didnt look steady. The only one left is Gardiner who looked fantastic but we all know he has to shoot more. I will give the defense as a whole a grading of a D+ due to that almost everybody under performed for what they are getting paid to do along with how well we know they can play when they are on their game. The main problem on the team may be from their leader who looks like he will never be that Norris defenseman ever again. With a good mix of rookies and veterans he needs his men to step up and play hard.
A nice pickup for next year that would add some consistent play to the team would be a big time defenseman by the name of Suter. Yes, it is hard to get him but nobody told me that it is impossible.
Defense Overall- D+
Negatives - Consistancy
Positive(s)- Jake Gardiner
You cant always blame the defenseman for bad defense. That is what makes hockey interesting. It is a two-way game. On offense we the city of Toronto knows that their beloved Maple Leafs can score goals but can the keep the opposing team from scoring on them? The simple answer would be NO. Looking bad on the past couple of season it is the forwards who cause the defensive problems. (Ron Wilson's Fault) Phil Kessel had a great season and may have found his new Marc Savard in Joffery Lupul. The 2 wingers had a dominant season combining for 149 points but like the rest of the team their +/- was not great. Other then Kessel and Lupul, probably the only other player to compare to them was Grabovski. After starting off slow he found his game and took over Lupul's missed points. The problem with him was his line with Kulemin and MacArthur was so dead compared to last season where they looked like the deadliest 2nd line in the NHL. From there on the rest of the forwards did nothing. Ok We will throw Bozak on top too but he is still not even a 2nd line center on a good team. From Call-ups like Kadri doing nothing and bad defensive play I would give the Leafs forwards a grade B-. If it wasnt for Kessel and Lupul that grade would probably be closer to a D+ but at least we have some skilled players on the team.
Forwards Overall- B-
Negatives- Defensive play (back checking)
Positives- Kessel, Lupul, and Scoing goals.
Last but not least. The position that felt the media heat for the entire season. Goal-tending
This will be short and sweet. Goalies this year on the Leafs sucked. Reimer looked good to start the season until some short guy (Brain Gionta) had to pretty much ruin the entire season. Remier still has a lot to prove and not much time, because the Leafs are in major need of a top goal-tender. After Reimer came back from injury it looked like there was no hope. Beach balls were getting through. Gustavsson looked ok for another year but I think it is time to say there is no way this guy will ever be a started in the NHL. He is a great backup though, that is why I hope the Leafs keep him. He had some good starts where he took the game into his on hands but other then a few games he was like Reimer. Beach balls. After listening to the radio and post game talk shows it was all about Ben Scrivens. The rookie looked good at times but was pulled quite a bit and only ended the season with 4 wins in 12 opportunities. Overall the goalies were bad like the rest of the team. A grade D-/F seems fair seeing as how once again the Leafs are not in the post season. Every good team has strong goal-tending if you look back at the past couple of years with Thomas, Niemi, and Fluery.
Goal-tending Overall- D-/F
Negatives- Could not steal games.
Positives- Ben Scrivens maybe?
Overall the Toronto Maple Leafs would be given a grade of a C. It could be low or high depending on how you look at it but it is simple to say that once again we just did nothing. No playoffs for a 6th straight season is depressing but it is only a matter of time.
Toronto Maple Leafs Overall- C
Negatives- Overall defensive game in all three positions.
Positives- Gardiner, Kessel Lupul + Young core.
Just to name a few players, I will give the players name and a overall rating consisting of offensive and defensive game in whole.
-Offense- -Defense-
Kessel A+ D
Lupul B+ C
Grabovski B B-
Kulemin D- A-
Bozak C+ C-
Connolly D+ D+
Frattin C+ B
Brown D- A-
Armstrong D- C
Steckel C- B-
Kadri C D-
Phaneuf B+ C
Liles B- C-
Gardiner B C+
Komisarek F D
Schenn C- B-
Franson B C+
Gunnerson C+ C
Overall Goalies
Reimer - D
Gustavsson - D+
Scrivens - C-
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