Well, its late July. Nobody’s signing contracts, and training camp hasn’t started yet. The fascination with rookie camp is at its low point until it begins its merger with training camp hype, and there are no decent players that are rumored to be on the market (like, legitimate rumors, not the “OMG GUY ISN’T SIGNED YET HE MUST BE UNHAPPY” ones). Hell, its so slow that I looked to HFBoards in the middle of the night yesterday, saw a thread about Boyd Devereaux signing with the Leafs on the first page, said to myself “makes sense”, and went to lie down without realizing that the post was from 2006, and that someone found the thread 4 years later to bash him for scoring a that 82nd game hat trick, baiting many people into believing he signed last night, myself included.
So, of course, this means I have no news for you. Hell, there aren’t anymore soon-to-be UFA prospects to bash, no more jerseys to speculate on, and I’ve run out of people to say “SHUT UP – WE’RE NOT TRADING FOR HIM”. Actually, I have one, but I’ll save that one for tommorrow. Today though, lets do something ridiculous, and talk about ridiculously stupid things that we think will happen next year. I’d like to see some of yours in the comments. As for me, here are my five.
1. Tyler Bozak will have a down year compared to last season.
So, the rookie centre has gotten himself into quite a it of hype from the fanbase of the team he calls his. And you can definitely see why – we are talking about a guy who lead rookies in points per game, with 27 points in 37 games. However, there’s a key issue with this concept. Two, actually.
The first one is an absolutely shoddy sample size – 37 games? We’re talking less than half the season, here. And he didn’t even really have to work his way up, almost immediately slotted into top minutes. Having to compete for his time and play a full season will possibly change things.
Secondly, is the fact that people holding their breath for an amazingly improved star, even down the road, may be disappointed. Bozak isn’t exactly Nazem Kadri age, folks, at 24 years old. He’s got some time to develop a little more, but nobody should be expecting the world in terms of improvement.
Honestly, the hype all reminds me of a certain 23 year old who got a chunk of minutes in 06/07 and scored 42 points in 48 games, leaving everyone in a tizzy. I think he’s a UFA now, and we make fat jokes about him now. Yes, of course, I’m talking of Kyle Wellwood, who also happens to be the last person to wear #42 before Bozak. Just sayin’
2. The Nikolai Kulemin hype will hit a brick wall.
Something that I’ve noticed with Nikolai Kulemin, and this really isn’t his fault, is that a lot of the hype came from the fact that he was on an entry level contract and his play seemed like a “steal” to many. Unfortunately for him, he signed an about right extension with the team worth 2.35 million dollars per year. What’s the issue? The issue is, the second people realize he’s making decent money now, they’ll demanding more than the 15-15 play they got the past two years.
Don’t believe me? Mikhail Grabovski’s year was on pace for about the same in every regard, even with an injury in the middle and considerably less minutes. Mikhail Grabovski is also officially the teams scapegoat of the month right now, with him being thrown into every single trade proposal ever made. Why? Because he was loved at $800,000, and now hated for the same stuff at $2.9 million. Funny story – he’s at par, if not above average, for players with the same salary. Kulemin will be next in line.
UPDATE: This isn’t to say that Kulemin will have a bad year, or that I don’t like him. What I’m getting at is that people’s perception of value will go down, he’ll have the exact same year, if not slightly better, yet people will be disappointed.
3. Colby Armstrong will end up in the team’s top six.
Lets face it – with the queue of Left Wingers nearing closer and closer to the end of the line, the Leafs are going to have to look at someone for that 2nd line spot. Luca Caputi is the natural fit at the moment, but who knows where he may be next year. With that said, I think it would be a good idea to keep your eyes out for Colby Armstrong squeaking into that second line Left Wing role. I mean, he’s not completely against scoring, having 40 points in 47 games in his rookie year. Granted, this was on a line with Sidney Crosby, but the point is, the potential is there for him to do something more than be another “third line truculence” guy.
4. This year will define Luke Schenn’s development into a better player than expected.
Over the course of last season, we saw Luke Schenn lose a jump in his step and have a little bit of pencil markings clog up his eraser. However, a marked improvement was made after the trade that sent Dion Phaneuf here occurred. Since then, Schenn has been playing with a bit more offensive willingness, and hitting back to where he was. Perhaps working with his favourite player has helped him. And honestly, I don’t see this being a fluke – Luke needs to improve his all around role, and at 20, he’s at the right age to do it.
5. Tomas Kaberle will sign a “lifetime” extension if not traded by August 15th
Burke knows what he’s doing when it comes to Kaberle, and its not trading him for the first offer that comes through. He knows that Kaberle is a really wicked player, and that puck movers of his quantity don’t come often and when they do, they often win championships, or at least act as part of the core. With this said, the Leafs only chance at a puck mover in their pool is Carl Gunnarsson, so a risk may be worth it. It would not shock me in the slightest to see the Leafs sign the 32 year old defenceman to a 7 year extension after this year, with some good ol’ fashioned front loading involved.
UPDATE: I’m aware that Burke has 5 year policy. However, he’s been known to alter his policies on occasion (Giguere with NTC’s, Kessel with high numbers, etc). And we’re not talking a Kovalchuk eternity extravaganza, so it wouldn’t entirely shock me.
So, those are my predictions. I also have some for the Marlies that will probably be up on MarliesHQ at some point, as well. What do YOU predict will happen next year? I’d really like to hear your thoughts. In fact, the best and worst comments that I get will be addressed in a sequel article if there’s enough of them and I get a chance. Comment away!
15 Comments
I totally agree that Luke Schenn will really have a breakout year, and deliver on the promise he showed in his rookie year, and late last year. However, I believe Kulemin will totally prove that his contract is worth it. Everyone seems to bash on his deal, and they’ll realize how good he is defensively; his role isn’t solely to put up points.
I also think that Gustavsson will take the starter’s role from Giguere and that Komisarek will bounce back while Beauchemin won’t.
I’ll predict an ultimate 7th place finish, depending on what we are still to do this summer.
I would love to believe the Kaberle prediction — However, remember that Burke will (and has said on multiple occasions) only give up to a 5 year contract. I DO think that if Kabs is not traded by Aug 15, he will be a Leaf for the rest of his playing career.
About the Bozak statement: Disagree. He only spent a little bit with the Leafs and only towards the end did we start to see his potential. He will have a good year this year, and may drop off production wise next year, if anything. He has a full 82 games (injury free) to make some noise. Oh and Kyle Wellwood had terrible conditioning issues — something that Bozak does not.
I was going to comment but JD summed it up perfectly.
I’d honestly love Kaberle to stay. He’s better than anything we could get for him, he loves being a Leaf and if we can keep him we should.
I think Schenn will do well if hes put with the right player…..on on the same line as neon Dion well that would be good…he would be on his ass if he didn’t play up to snuff. All in all I think he will be a force to reckon with in the years to come. He has to establish his game. don’t try to be the next Scott Sevens, Hatcher, Phaneuf……he has to be Schenn, if he can do this then i think hell be on of the best d men in years to come.
For the Bozak situation well to be frank hes an avrage player and will do avrage
as for armstrong i think he’ll be awesome and will fot in with the leafs ASAP he his a Leaf……..born and bread i truly believe that.
As for Kulemin same as Bozak hes an avg player so hell play that way. i like him a lot but unless he has an awesome passer he will lack offensively.
now if we got Karia and Afinaganov now were talking…Karia would have protection and would do awesome on the leafs yes he is getting up there but you know he protected.
I say the leafs will be in 8th place and will make the plyoff for the first time in a while
Agree on kuly and Bozak…once we get top line players and there not the first PP unit and the top line they will drop off and become solid 2nd/3rd line guys. Cant see Colby in the top 6….14 goals last year is a far cry from top 6 minutes and we dont have much more then what he played with last year so I cant see him with more then 15 goals. Look for caputi or hanson to get a shot at that spot. Schenn will continue to be mediocre and if we expect more then that were not going to be happy. Hes a shut down d-man and thats great but he never going to exceed into a top pairing because of his lack of offense. Kabby must be resigned or traded by aug 15.
I agree with everything except hype about Kule hitting a brick wall.
I actually think the opposite. I think Kule will improve offensively and prove his worth as a top 6 guy. I truly believe that there will be more hype about Kulemin’s play this year than last because he’s capable of getting much better offensive numbers. He will have a better supporting cast and should be much more comfortable on the ice this year.
Grabovski is too one-dimensional and hype about him (IMO) hit a brick wall some time ago….. Kulemin does everything. He’s second to none in forechecking, he’s second to none defensively and on the backcheck, he cycles the puck better than anyone on the team, rarely out of position, has great hands and can skate like the wind. I find it difficult to believe my hype will dissipate over Kulemin this year. Anything is possible though.
OK first of:
#!. PHanef will win the Hart & Norris. I no this may seem realtic as first but he scored 2 goals near end the of season so I believe his career is on the up n up n up so I think he wil get since he is better then Mitch Green I think about 30 goals 60A is realtic and over 200PIM with abot 30 fighting minors
#2. Nemisz Kadri will emerg as a STAR in the NHL!! wen u look at other elite prospects in NHL from before Nemisz’ next near then u will see players such as Bobby Kane and Alexei Ovechkob had about a PPG in they’re rookie season so I believe since Nemisz is as Bleecher Reoprt said “The Best Prospect Since Alexei Malkin” so I believe Nemisz will get least at 45G 45A especially playing elite with elite with elite players as such Kulemin n Simmonds
3. the Leafs will trade for DD!!! DD emerged as caNADa’s best PLAYER at the OLYMPICS and he is an defenser for the LA KINGS! Doughty gru up with Schenn and Stamkos n Armstrong so i beleeve since most ppl dont reelize his full potential BB will swoondle in n trade a diff PMD such as Kaberle for DD.
4. Giggy will become the next C! Altho Dion will have a very very season for good next season then it will be too much pressure to handle both leeding the C and team for scoring so he will give it up for Giggy and since he is a leader n BB traded for him he will easily be the 21st captain in TML herstory
5. Kumelin will win the JENNINGS. the JENNINGS is for the BEST DEFENSEMAN FORWARD so since kulemin hits more than datsyuk and st louis n lundqvist i think he will WIN IT. U CAN BOOK IT.
I no these r bold but u said for promise the bold (;
To compare Grabovski to Kulemin is just assinine. Grabovski was brought here as an offensive player. When his salary increases by 400%, we would expect atleast some sort of improvement. 10 goals in 58 games is a big drop off from 20 goals in 78 games. Over the coarse of a full year, it would be a drop off of 7 goals, or nearly 33%.
Kulemin is here as a 2-way player. Sure his point production has not been great, but how good is your production gonna be when half your season is playing on a line with the likes of Mitchell, Orr, Wallin, etc. When he was given 1st line minutes with Kessel and Bozak he scored 15 points in 21 games, which would work out to 59 points over a full 82 games schedule. And that isn’t even his best assets. He is an amazing defender. As long as he keeps hitting (among the leaders on the team), blocking shots (tops of all forwards on the team) and also among the best in takeaways, then his contract is a steal. Any offence he puts in is a bonus. It’s his defensive game that is worth the money.
Grabovski doesn’t do defence…ever. He creates more offensive chances against us than for us, and he earns nearly a million more than Kulemin. He should at least double Kulemin’s output to deserve his contract. He sucks ass
What everyone is saying about Kulemin is exactly right. He’ll be a Selke winner one day.
Giggy for C AND Prime Minister! Maybe he can scrap this HST crap!
well done sir, made me laugh a lot.
Well said
Howdy,
This is pretty funny, congrats.
However, you’ll find that Leafs fans are too busy studying behindthenet advanced statistics to worry about that kind of straw-man caricature. You might find the trolling easier on hockeybuzz or hfboards.
Nirbo, you may find that Raskofalltrades is a blogger here and is trolling just because its an article I wrote, not because he’s trying to get a rise out of others
I think it’s true that Bozak will have a down year, partly because he’ll be forced into a first-line centre role which ideally he’d be able to grow into… But partly because his flatmate and good buddy, Viktor Stalberg, was sent to Chicago. The combination of outside pressure and one less friend in Toronto could be a lot to handle, especially if Christian Hanson doesn’t make the big team, so let’s hope Tyler’s made of stern stuff.