It looks like the Leafs will be doomed for the next decade now that their top draft picks are gone but that is not the only problem. The team has failed to live up to expectations. On paper the Leafs look like they have somewhat of a decent team and it looks to me they should be making the playoffs. I notice that when players leave Toronto their game tends to excel and when players are welcomed to Toronto their game goes way downhill.
The Goaltending situation:
Andrew Raycroft: Awarded the Calder Trophy in 2004, he had a great season with the Bruins. GAA 2.05 and a SV % of .926. Ever since coming to Toronto his stats have dropped big time with a SV % of .894, and 876 throughout 2 seasons with the Leafs. Im sure fans were expecting more out of this guy.
Vesa Toskala: He played great with the Sharks. Wilson even alternated starts between Toskala and Nabokov. Toskala finished the year with a .908 SV%.Toskala ended up having the worst SV% in the league when he played with Toronto. His first 2 years in T.O were mediocre but his third year was not good at all.
Justin Pogge: I still cant believe how many goalies were going through, this is getting ridiculous. I thought for sure Pogge was going to be something special for the Leafs being a highly touted prospect and awarded the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy. He also won Canada a gold medal in the WJC, awarded the Del Wilson Trophy and awarded CHL Goaltender of the Year in 2006. Pogge did not play for another team before but man this guy just got owned by the pressure their was in T.O.
BRIAN BURKES ACQUISITION’S: New players brought into Toronto and their game goes downhill.
Mike Komisarek: He was a pretty good player in Montreal, at least he does not turn the puck over all the time like he does right now in a Leaf uniform.
Francois Beauchemin: He won a cup with Anaheim…. he was a steady defenceman and thats why Burke wanted him. Beauchemin has struggled mightly with the Leafs similar to Komisarek turning pucks over in his own zone. Im sure Burke is putting him on the trading block now and i dont know what they can get for him but he definitely failed to live up to expectations in T.O.
Dion Phaneuf: i cant f***ckn believe this. Phaneuf was able to score goals, go for big hits, and make good plays in Calgary. Phaneuf looks nothing like a superstar in a Leaf uniform. He turns pucks over, i dont see him hit much anymore, and he in a big scoring drought. I hope his game will improve now that he is Captain.
Other Players whos game went downhill when brought to T.O
Jason Blake: Are you F**ckn kidding me? I cant even name all the awards he got but he had a 40 goal season with the islanders and was an All Star. Ever since Blake was brought to T.O i saw him do the same sh**t on the ice everytime. He just goes for laps around the ice.
yeah so i dont know what is wrong with the Leafs… do they just have bad luck?, bad coaching? it would be interesting to see Crosby in a Leaf Jersey having 10 goal seasons but having 50 goal seasons with Pittsburgh lol let me know your opinions on this.
Alex Steen and Kyle Wellwood are both having better seasons on their new teams. I know people are gonna say Wellwood had attitude problems in Toronto. Versteeg and Kessels game have been up to par since coming to Toronto so thats good news.
