Optimus Reimer the key to turnaround; Phaneuf rock solid
The Stanley Cup tourney will go without the beloved Buds, however they certainly didn't defeat themselves in the 2011 portion of the NHL season. The Toronto Maple Leafs have a strong youthful core in place for the 2011-2012 NHL season, and Burke's wizardry promises to augment this crew further. Stay tuned for an exciting off-season and a highly anticipated 2011 Leafs training camp.
A few highlights:
- King James Reimer carries a struggling team on his back and turns around a franchise
- Dion Phaneuf steps up after Kaberle leaves, earns his big Leafs "C"
- Phil Kessel emerging as a top playmaker over the final weeks of the season
- Luke Schenn's continued growth as a solid, stay-at-home defender
- Nikolai Kulemin a 30-goal scorer!
- Mikhail Grabovski excels as a 2nd line centre
- Nazem Kadri learning to play with smarts and finesse
- Joffrey Lupul regains scoring touch, clicks with Kessel
- Clarke MacArthur solidifies 2nd line, needs to be re-signed
- Boyce and Crabb show promise alongside Kadri
- Aulie, Lashoff perform under pressure after callup from Marlies
Burke's priorities have to be signing a bona fide #1 centre (hello Brad Richards!) plus a solid veteran goaltender, who is willing to play 25-30 games in support of James Reimer.
Thanks Buds, for the playoff intensity of the last couple of months. We're moving in the right direction, and hopeful for next season.
Go Leafs Go!!!
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