Leafs close to flunking out

Only Kessel, Kaberle score high marks on team report card

Michael Traikos, National Post

Published: Thursday, November 19, 2009

They did not have letter grades where Jonas Gustavsson went to school.

Toronto Maple Leafs goalie  Jonas  Gustavsson skates to his net as Calgary Flames forwards Olli Jokinen and Jarome Iginla celebrate Iginla's goal during the first period of their NHL hockey game in Toronto November 14, 2009.

Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Jonas Gustavsson skates to his net as Calgary Flames forwards Olli Jokinen and Jarome Iginla celebrate Iginla's goal during the first period of their NHL hockey game in Toronto November 14, 2009.

Photograph by : Reuters

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So the Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender, who grew up in Sweden, does not know what receiving an F in a report cards means. But he understands failure.

And with just three wins in their first 19 games Gustavsson has no problem assigning a failing grade to his team now that the first-quarter of the season is in the books. In the Swedish approval system, the result would be an IG (Icke godkand).

Or "not approved."

"Of course, we can improve on lots of things," said Gustavsson. "We haven't got as many wins as we want. And we haven't got as many points as we want. It's something that we have to work on."

Indeed, the Leafs are in serious need of a tutor.

Toronto is tied with the Carolina Hurricanes, its opponent tonight, for last place in the overall standings. The Leafs are also last in goals-against average (3.68 per game), penalty killing (71.4% success rate) and even-strength goals (1.42 per game).

If there is something to be optimistic about, it is that the season is far from over. And based on the effort in the last 10 games, the players are striving for a passing grade.

"We are working all the time to be better as a team," Gustavsson said. "I think everyone is working hard to be better as a player, too. I think you haven't seen our best yet."

As for what we have seen, here is the Leafs' report card -- Swedish style -- through the first quarter of the season.

Passed with special distinction (MYCKET VAL GODKAND)

Tomas Kaberle

It is hard to imagine what state the Leafs and their power play would be in had they traded the offensive-minded puck-mover, who has 13 points on the man-advantage. Phil GP G APts /-

Pil Kessel

Arrived to Toronto with great expectations. He missed the first month of the season, but has delivered on offence by averaging nearly a goal per game.

Passed with distinction (VAL GODKAND)

Ian White

The diminutive and underrated White is among the league's top 20 defencemen in scoring, and has the best plusminus rating of Leafs defencemen.

Passed (GODKAND)

Jonas Gustavsson

The Monster is the only Toronto goalie to have won a game. But he has also allowed seven goals on 35 shots in his last two starts.

Alexei Ponikarovsky

Has quietly led Toronto forwards in hits (34) and plus-minus rating (2). Of his team-leading seven goals, six were scored in even-strength situations.

Colton Orr

With seven fighting majors and 59 minutes in penalties, the fourth-liner has added truculence and spent as much time in the box as on the ice.

Did not achieve the goals (EJ UPPNATT MALEN)

Francois GP G APts /-Beauchemin 19 2 5 7 -9 Former Duck has looked lost without Scott Niedermayer by his side. Has no points in 5-on-5 play, and is tied for the worst minus rating on the team.

Jason Blake

The veteran winger had a team-leading 25 goals and 63 points last season. This year, he is on pace for eight goals and 47 points.

Garnet Exelby

Along with Finger, has rotated in and out of the lineup. When he plays, the heat-seeking defenceman sometimes puts himself out of position looking for a big hit.

Jeff Finger

If fans can get past the fact that Finger is overpaid, the hard-working defenceman has actually been an effective shot-blocker (2.8 per game) when in the lineup. Mikhail GP G APts /-Grabovski 19 3 9 12 -4 Finished third in rookie scoring with 20 goals and 48 points last season. But with no goals in eight games, he is one of four slumping sophomore Leafs.

Niklas Hagman

Almost half of his goals were the result of an Oct. 26 hat trick. Since then, he has one goal in his last 10 games.

Nikolai Kulemin

Kulemin has lacked consistency. He scored twice in one game and once in another. But he has gone the rest of the season without a single point.

Mike Komisarek

Leads the team with 41 hits and 38 blocked shots. But has also taken more minor penalties (12) than any other Leaf and is tied for the worst plusminus rating.

Jamal Mayers

Time appears to be running out on the 35-year-old, often left out of the lineup when all forwards are healthy.

John Mitchell

A brief promotion to the top line yielded two goals in two games. But the power forward has failed to produce anywhere else in the lineup.

Wayne Primeau

Was acquired for his veteran leadership in the dressing room and his physical presence. He already has more goals than he did last season.

Luke Schenn

After being named to the all-rookie team, the 20-year-old appears to have lost confidence, resulting in a six-minute reduction in ice time.

Matt Stajan

A lack of options has Stajan centring the No. 1 line. But with no goals and four assists at even strength, he has not exactly earned the ice time.

Lee Stempniak

Has picked up six of his nine points on the power play, where he plays the point. But like most of the forwards, Stempniak has been invisible in even-strength situations.

Vesa Toskala

Entered the season as the starter, but has struggled mightily, with no wins and the league's worst goals-against average and save percentage.

Rickard Wallin

Like Orr, he has gone 19 games without a goal. Unlike the physical Orr, Wallin has been mostly invisible.

 
 
 
 
 

your comments
dusty
Thu, Nov 19, 09 at 10:33 AM
As bad as they are, they're still more fun to watch than the Habs. And I'm a Hab fan!
Where is Wilson's assessment?
Thu, Nov 19, 09 at 10:39 AM
The coach decides who goes on the ice and for what purpose. The coach sets the game plan against the different oppositions. The coach sets the mood for the players respect for his agenda by making good decisions. Wilson desrves an ICKE Godkand ( means not acceptable).Wilson's biggest failure is his inability to establish winning game plans prior to each game. You cannot play Pittsburg in the same manner as you play NY Islanders. Wilson does not see that and it is very disappointing from a maple leaf fans perspective.
rigger
Thu, Nov 19, 09 at 11:36 AM
Dusty, totally agree, and they dont have several bad contracts tying up the teams cap for another five years.
Rusty
Thu, Nov 19, 09 at 11:43 AM
Brian Burke is the kid in the corner with the dunces cap, Gainey was just absent that day.
@ where is Wilsons
Thu, Nov 19, 09 at 11:47 AM
Right on man!
wallin
Thu, Nov 19, 09 at 12:11 PM
This guy is a solid defensive forward. He isn't going to be a goal scorer. If the leafs drop him, someone else is going to pick him up. He can bring some pk ability to an established team.
realistic
Thu, Nov 19, 09 at 12:24 PM
burke deserves not a "did not achieve goals" and not "not approved." Brian Jurke deserves to get a suspension or better yet an expulsion. Ditto for Peddie!
JOE IN CALGARY
Thu, Nov 19, 09 at 01:00 PM
Excuse after excuse.Laffs are just plain shitty man.
MIA
Thu, Nov 19, 09 at 01:10 PM
Where's Grabs report card?? Or maybe I shouldn't ask.
Stephen Barber
Thu, Nov 19, 09 at 01:19 PM
The buds had a decent pre-season with the kids. If I were coach I'd cut Wallin, Primeau, and Mayers. Bring up the kids and let them get the experience they need.
joe in calgary
Thu, Nov 19, 09 at 01:57 PM
I liked the poll on which Canadian team is the most exciting, now, how do you vote, looks complicated. Go Leafs Go.
hey joe
Thu, Nov 19, 09 at 01:59 PM
Scott Gomez with 2 goals after 21 games at $8 million a season. Hope he reaches eight so its a goal per million. Hahahahahahahaha.
MLF
Thu, Nov 19, 09 at 02:37 PM
1) time to part ways with the vets whose legs are slowing. perhaps helping to train the up & comers with the Marlies would be a more deserving task. 2) Too many defensive forwards - perhaps a few could be put on waivers which would elicit some interest in the trade market. 3) Need a physcological coach to deal with the mental aspects. Hire Gretzky for a season, he might enjoy getting back to his Ontario roots. 4) Establish ethnic lines; Kessel-Blake-Stempniak, Grabovski-Ponikarovsky-Kulemin; Stajan-Mitchell-Orr; Hagman-Wallin-Tlusty . Leave them to learn each others moves. At least they can communicate in their own language & help each other
rigger
Thu, Nov 19, 09 at 02:49 PM
Yahoo Sports Puck Daddy blog with another anti Canadian article showing how bad we are as an Olympic team suggesting we even borrow an American goalie to have a chance.
OH PHILLY
Thu, Nov 19, 09 at 04:23 PM
GIMMIE MY WILLIE.FIRE GAINEY
AFS
Thu, Nov 19, 09 at 11:11 PM
It's time for a trade Burke what are you waiting for anytime now. This team needs a change of players to many overpayed plugs!
Calgary in Joe
Fri, Nov 20, 09 at 02:54 AM
What about Burke and Wilson....2 big fat F's
HANK
Fri, Nov 20, 09 at 08:56 AM
@ JOE At least they're not Gainey and Martin....lol
realistic
Fri, Nov 20, 09 at 09:26 AM
i heard burke broke a facuet in his house out of anger. I play a hockey with a guy who knows the plumber that fixed it. BAHAHAAA ... looks good on y'a burke!
Choked
Fri, Nov 20, 09 at 10:11 AM
Wilson is a F. The players have quit on him and tuned him out and losses will continue to pile up until he's canned and its coming sooner than later
RICHARD Q
Fri, Nov 20, 09 at 11:13 AM
THE LEAFS HAVE NOT FLUNKED OUT. THEY BEAT THE REDWINGS TWICE DURING THE EXHIBITION SEASON AND ONCE DURING THE REGULAR SEASON. THE SEASON HAS BEEN A SUCCESS SO FAR
Extensions
Fri, Nov 20, 09 at 01:52 PM
Worse team in NHL history. Blame the refs, blame the senators, montreal, Oilers, Flames, the weather, the travel, pre game meal, hotel, but don't blame Brian Burke or Ron Wilson. These guys are geniuses especially Burke. What a great signing Komisarek was, and Exelby is a sure Norris trophy candidate. Not The Munsters fault either he is definitely Rookie of the Year material. MLSE please extend Burke and Wilson, they are great and the Leafs beat Washington by 5 goals Saturday.
Dumb Rigger
Fri, Nov 20, 09 at 04:13 PM
Your comments get more stupid by the day. Worse contract in the NHL is Komisuck. What montreal does have are draft picks, they didn't waste them all on a one ball, one dimensional Cancer in the locker room. What the leafs have is a ticket to the basement for the next 5 years at least. Puke Schenn, some prospect he is. Great job Burke.
Agreed Rigger
Fri, Nov 20, 09 at 04:16 PM
I love how Leaf fans think Montreal are screwed for 5 years. Same people thought the Leafs would contend this year. I hope none of you are financial analysts.
xtremeleafan
Fri, Nov 20, 09 at 10:25 PM
Wallin has got to go. Like Don Cherry said last week,"what does he bring to the game. Oh yea,a gold chain. He doesn't score ,he doesn't hit,he doesn't fight. What good is he"?
Dead Stinking last
Sat, Nov 21, 09 at 11:58 AM
For God's sake if being dead last, 30th in a 30 team league is not a failing grade what the hell is? Brian Burke has more pull than I thought if he can manipulate the Toronto media like this.
@ Dead stinking last
Sat, Nov 21, 09 at 12:09 PM
Right on, Man!
P.K. worst in league-30th.
Sat, Nov 21, 09 at 12:12 PM
Wilson is supposed to be a defensive coach specializing in defensive play. Where are the results of his so-called specialty?
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