The problem with targeting a stud defenceman by trade is you need to find a dance partner, and who in their right mind gives up a stud d-man? Let alone trying to make the dollars work. I agree, one is definitely needed (and that person is NOT on the farm) but need and filling the need are two different stories.
I like what Kapanen showed in the playoffs. Moving him up in the lineup next year will be interesting.
My biggest issue with the playoffs was how many guys underperformed within what is probably the core going forward. Matthews, Nylander, Gardiner. I definitely expected a better showing.
Cory
Last year Marner was invisible against Washington, but another year experience gave him the skills needed to compete against the Bruins this year. Nylander, on the other hand was invisible again, so it's up to him to figure it out, if he plans on being an elite NHL player.
Matthews is a bit more puzzling? He had a decent playoffs last year, and he had a good year despite injuries this year, so no idea what happened with him? If I had to guess, and I'm sure it will come out if it is true, but I think he wasn't as healthy as we were hoping. I can't see any other logic for him to fall off that much. Give the Bruins credit (Chara), I guess?
Matthews is notorious for his work ethic, and compete on the puck in the opposing end, so is Nylander, Brown, and Hyman, but only Hyman showed us that against the Bruins. These three guys always seem to force turnovers, and give-a-ways in the opposing end.
I would give Nylander one more year to see if he progresses. His skill level is somewhat up there with Matthews, and Marner, he just needs to learn how to play in the playoffs, when there isn't as much room to roam around. The trio all need to play some more in the playoffs, and the only thing that can help get better with that is more experience.
Gardiner was exposed for what he is, a very soft, slow, and give-a-way master. He has good offensive skills, but lacks a lot of the most important skill of all, which is the ability to think before he acts. He needs to be able to throw a hit, clear the net, and take a hit. He plays scared, and it was never more evident in this series. We all knew this, now it is again documented. He can be a useful player in certain situations, but he needs to be paired with a better partner that can cover up for him, and Zaitsev is not that player. He would have been better suited with someone like Hainsey, or even Polak, but in all honesty, he needs someone even better than that with him.
As for Zaitsev, after a fantastic rookie year, and a huge raise, and contract was given, he was horrible all year, and looked like he has lost his game. Chalk it up to another European player getting paid bigtime, then disappearing afterwards? Who knows?
I'm a little disappointed in Bozak, and JVR, as they needed to have a huge game 7, and they did not give it. Farewell to both, I say. JVR is a one trick pony, and is successful in the regular season at his goalmouth antics, but I'm not impressed with his playoff efforts. You need to bring it every game, not just one here, and there. Both played good here, and there, but seemed to me like they mailed it in game seven?
Komarov is someone who was missed. Another thorn in the Bruins side, like Kadri. I would bring him back short term, just for his penalty killing, and shut down skills, but I'm afraid the Leafs have too much depth waiting in the wings for a roster spot, so I'm doubtful he'll get an offer here in Toronto.
What about Matt Martin? What do they do with him?
Goaltending is fine right now. Defensive help is a huge must this summer, and again at the trade deadline. They have good players waiting for a shot, and some will not be getting it here, so they have a lot of trade chips, plus draft choices they can move for help.
Toronto is in a terrific position franchise wise right now. People are disappointed with the season ending last night, as am I, but I haven't lost focus on the fact they just finished year two, of the rebuild, and need to keep the plan in place right now. I just ignore the haters who constantly remind us fans how long it has been since they won a Cup. These people don't deserve the time of day. Yes, we know how bad they've been since 67. They sound developmentally challenged saying it over, and over again, night after night. :loseit:
