Nylander doesn’t require AHL stint
Why don’t they do a threegame conditioning stint with William Nylander playing for the Marlies? He’d score a lot and boost his confidence for sure.
Cath
Do you want him back in one piece? Minor-leaguers would love to take runs at a $7-million NHLer. Plus, if there’s one player in the NHL who doesn’t lack for confidence, it’s the guy who waited until a half-hour to deadline to make a deal.
Hockey is a team game and you, like all the other so-called experts, put too much emphasis on the goalie. What would we remember about Martin Brodeur if he never got to play for a playoff team? Why couldn’t the best goalie in the league be on the last-place team?
How bad does a team have to get before the goalie is needed or before he is important and necessary?
Sandy M.
What goalie did you want to play for Canada in the Olympics? Would any goalie have done? Don’t think so. Personally, I don’t think goaltending is overrated. Scotty Bowman, who knows a thing or two about hockey, used to say: “Goaltending is 75 per cent of hockey. Unless you don’t have any, then it’s 100 per cent.” He’s not the only one who says it. Cliff Fletcher, who also knows a thing or two, used to say: “Show me a good goalie, and I’ll show you a good coach.”
Alot of ink has been pressed about the current state of the Leafs’ defence corps, particularly about the need for a top-4 right-shot defenceman. I’m not sure if there is a player in the league available that doesn’t cost you at least a good young player, a prospect and a draft pick at a minimum.
Looking toward next season, what does the Leafs’ D look like? Hainsey, Gardiner, and Marincin are UFAs. Ozhiganov is an RFA.
Who stays and who goes?
Dan
First, we’re going to hear a lot about Wayne Simmonds’ availability with the Flyers perhaps in sell-mode. He’d add grit. Not sure Leafs GM Kyle Dubas cares that much about that part of the game. I think it will matter more in the playoffs than the regular season. It’ll be interesting to see if he bites.
As for your main question: I believe the Leafs are counting on Rosen and perhaps Timothy Liljegren to make the jump next season. I don’t think Ron Hainsey will be re-signed, and I can see Jake Gardiner on another team. I can’t see how the Leafs afford him (unless they can do something with Patrick Marleau). For that matter, I don’t see them able to afford Kasperi Kapanen, even though he’ll be relatively cheap. He might be the dangled for a defenceman before July 1.
I am sure I am not alone in wondering what is a good check and dirty check any more. Zack Hyman’s hit on the Bruins’ Charlie McAvoy is a two-game suspension now? I watched it over and over and I’m still not seeing it.
Bob in Kingston
I think you watched the Hyman hit on McAvoy with blinders on. Watch again. Hyman is guarding the boards and doesn’t pick up speed until after McAvoy passes the puck. And he heads straight for McAvoy, knowing the puck is gone.
Read more on Kevin McGran’s Breakaway Blog at thestar.com. Send your hockey questions to askkevinmcgran@gmail.com. The Star reserves the right to edit for clarity, punctuation and space.