Nazem Kadri had five poins in two games against the St. John`s IceCaps- Image Courtesy of Jeff Parsons

TORONTO- The Toronto Marlies spent all week practicing, as they only played two games this week and they were both on the weekend.

The Marlies played the St. John’s IceCaps twice on the weekend and beat them 4-3 in overtime on Friday and 6-3 on Saturday.

Currently, Toronto is 12-5-3, have won six in a row and are first in the North Division with 27 points.

With that said, here are the Toronto Marlies hot and cold performers for the week of November 21st to 27th.

Who’s Hot

Nazem Kadri

Season Stats:13 GP 4 G 11 A 15 PTS

Had two goals and two assists on Friday and chipped in another goal on Saturday for five points in two games. Has taken over much of the offence in the absence of Joe Colborne.

Marcel Mueller

Season Stats: 17 GP 4 G 14 A 18 PTS

Registered multi-point performances in both games with a total of one goal and three assists. Had 13 points in last nine games.

Jeff Finger

Season Stats: 12 GP 2 G 3 A 5 PTS

Returned to the line up and scored the game winner in overtime on Friday. Set up the game winner on Saturday and totaled three points in two games.

Who’s Cold

Luca Caputi

Season Stats: 11 GP 1 G 0 A 1 PTS

Has missed nine consecutive games with a hand injury. Has been listed as day-to-day for almost three weeks but has yet to skate at practice.

Kyle Neuber

Season Stats: 10 GP 0 G 0 A 0 PTS

Not expected to score, as he is a secondary enforcer, but he picked up a 10 minute misconduct on Saturday after late in the third period; something head coach Dallas Eakins is likely  not too thrilled about.

Jesse Blacker

Season Stats: 18 GP 0 G 7 A 7 PTS

Has not played poorly by any means, but only has one assist in his last six games. Because of recent call-ups, the offensive defenceman will be expected to produce more, especially on the power play.

Look for Marlies hot and cold performers every Monday

Kyle Cicerella

@KyleTheReporter

Jesse Blacker taking warmup against the Rochester Americans- Image Courtesy of Mike Ivall

TORONTO- Recognized by most in the crowd as a puck moving, offense first, blue liner, Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Jesse Blacker is hoping his time with the Toronto Marlies can change that.

“I don’t see myself as an offensive defenseman,” said Blacker. “I think defence first and chip in offensively when I can. I’d like to be known as a two-way defenseman.”

Since being drafted by the Leafs in 2009, the 20 year old’s name has always come up in discussions about how he has the potential to be a threat on the power play. And, as recently as this past training camp, he was pinned as a future one-two quarterback pairing with Jake Gardiner.

But rarely does anyone discuss what he could offer at both ends of the rink.

Blacker’s ability to jump into the offence, like Gardiner, is based on his top fundamental; skating.

“My skating is a big help,” he said. “It gets me out of trouble sometimes when I put myself into it.”

Through seven games this season with the Marlies, his offence, as expected, has been of no concern. He’s played on the power play, has four assists and is a plus-2 to show for it.

But even with his offensive numbers meeting expectations, it’s his willingness to improve in his own zone that has head coach Dallas Eakins the most pleased.

“He’s been playing well for us,” said Eakins when asked about the OHL grads play in his own zone. “He’s more patient than before. We’d like him to be even more patient but he’s so quick to try and put out the fire. He’s a great kid to watch. He’s a much more settled defenseman.”

With his coach gaining trust in his ability, Blacker is now finding extra minutes on the penalty kill; a new role that’s helped in finding his confidence.

“Every game I feel like I’m getting a little bit better,” he said. “I’m getting used to the size and speed of everyone. It’s a change but I’m getting more comfortable and having some more confidence to try things and its turning into playing time.”

There is still no time frame on when he will be seen in a Leafs uniform but, with his role increasing with the Marlies, Eakins assured that the organization is pleased with his game.

“This kid’s coming along nicely,” he said. “I think he’s been good for us so far and he’s right on track.”

Realistically, the offensive side of Blacker’s game has already been proven.

Now it’s up to him to be the two-way blue liner he wants to be and not just the puck mover he was in junior.

“My defence has come a long way since I was first drafted.”

Kyle Cicerella

@KyleTheReporter

[VIEW:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jpv1tR9pJpk%5D

Leafs vs. Flyers

The Leafs are back on the ice tonight when they host the Philadelphia Flyers (7 p.m., Leafs TV).
Tim Connolly, who the Leafs signed in the off-season, will make his debut in a Toronto uniform alongside right-winger Phil Kessel.
Former Spitfires goalie Michael Leighton is expected to share time in net with Sergei Bobrovsky for the Flyers.
Also, ex-Spitfires defenceman Jesse Blacker will be on he blue-line for the Maple Leafs.
Here is a glance at Toronto’s lineup:

Goaltender: James Reimer, Mark Owuya.

Defence: Jeff Finger, Luke Schenn, Simon Gysbers, Jesse Blacker, Cody Franson, Mike Komisarek.

Forwards: Joffrey Lupul, Tim Connolly, Phil Kessel, Marcel Mueller, Joe Colborne, Clarke MacArthur, Luca Caputi, Darryl Boyce, Nazem Kadri, Greg Scott, Mike Zigomanis, Colton Orr.

“You can always reign that in,” said head coach Ron Wilson. “I like a young guy who’s being aggressive. You say as a coach, ‘don’t be afraid to make mistakes out there, and we’ll adjust accordingly.’ As opposed to guys who go out trying not to make any mistakes and then don’t do anything and aren’t involved in the play. You don’t have to worry about that with Jesse.”

Despite his strong showing, Wilson was realistic about the chances of youngsters, such as 20-year-old Blacker and 21-year-old Jake Gardiner, cracking the roster.

“This year, their chances are probably slim to none,” he said. “Like you say, slim left town, because of the depth … for us to do well, we need an experienced group on our team and I think we have it.”

* * *

Exhibit A might be a new nickname for John-Michael Liles. The Leafs defenceman does such an effective job of joining the rush that the Leafs’ coaching staff wants the rest of the defencemen to watch and learn.

“He’s always involved in the offence,” said Wilson. “We haven’t had that up the ice, someone who dives into the play. So there’s going to be some growing pains, as our forwards get used to always having a guy who’s in on the attack. We’re encouraging that from all our defence. So he’s going to be a great example.”

* * *

The Leafs have six goaltenders at training camp. But due to injury and inexperience, the team plans on dressing only four in the upcoming three exhibition games.

“Right now, Jussi Rynnas is a little banged up,” said Wilson. “He’s not really ready to play. [Garret] Sparks is a junior player and I don’t think he’s ready to play an exhibition game. I have four guys to pick from. Probably only three of them will play.”

* * *

Mikhail Grabovski and Nikolai Kulemin did not participate in Sunday’s scrimmage, as both attended Igor Korolev’s funeral. The Russian forward, who was amongst those who died in a Russian plane crash earlier this month, played with Kulemin for three seasons with Magnitogorsk Metallurg in the KHL.

* * *

Mike Zigomanis takes credit for convincing his parents and sister to stop eating meat. But the 30-year-old, who recently went full vegan, is not about to try to convert his teammates’ eating habits.

“I’m not an activist at all. I’m not a pioneer,” he said. “But it can be done. It’s just a lot of work … everyone is kind of asking me how I feel this year and what’s going on, how are you going to play now that you’re a full-vegan? It’s been a process the last four years. I feel great. My fitness is really good and my flexibility is really good.”

• Email: mtraikos@nationalpost.com | Twitter: Michael_Traikos

While many of the forward spots will be spoken for, the real battle will come on the blue-line.

With captain Dion Phaneuf, John-Michael Liles, Keith Aulie, Cody Franson and Luke Schenn all but securing the top five spots, that leaves Mike Komisarek and Carl Gunnarsson to battle for the last position.

Throw ex-Spitfire Jesse Blacker and promising prospect Jake Gardiner in the mix, and the Leafs will have some tough decisions to make.

Schenn, a restricted free agent, is reportedly close to a new deal and shouldn’t miss any time when camp opens Friday.

Spitfires forward Kenny Ryan, along with ex-Spits Richard Greenop and Dale Mitchell were also invited to camp.

The Leafs will play their first pre-season game Sept. 19 when they host the Ottawa Senators at 7 p.m.

In the four months since that game, the seventh and deciding game of the Ontario Hockey League championship series, Blacker and Percy have become teammates, prospects with the Toronto Maple Leafs. They share a position and they have shared a dressing room but they have not, by Blacker’s mercy, shared many of their playoff memories.

“A little bit, here and there,” Blacker said. “Nothing too bad.”

Really?

“I take it easy on him,” the 20-year-old Blacker said with a smile. “He’s a youngster.”

The Leafs selected Percy, the 18-year-old Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors defenceman, with the 25th pick in the National Hockey League Entry Draft in June. With Blacker, who was taken 58th overall two years ago, they form part of the youngest end of a pipeline the Leafs are hoping to develop through their system.

Neither player is expected to make the team out of training camp this month, with Percy a near-certainty to return to his junior club and Blacker likely earmarked for seasoning with the American Hockey League’s Toronto Marlies. With the logjam of veterans ahead of them — their rookie class also includes Jake Gardiner — there is no reason to rush.

Blacker and Percy are different defencemen in subtly different stages of development, but they shared a stage through a grinding OHL playoff series. The Majors won the first two games, only to have the Attack win three of the final five in overtime, including Game 7.

“It was fun, because they both sort of quarterbacked their team from two separates sides of the rink, both running power plays and being on the ice in critical parts of the game,” said Jim Hughes, director of player development for the Leafs. “You can’t buy that experience. You’ve got to earn the right to play in those games.”

Percy missed the final game of a four-team NHL rookie tournament Tuesday night, held out as a precaution after taking an elbow to the face in a previous game. The suspicion was he might have suffered a concussion, though Percy said he expected to be back on the ice in time for training camp.

The Leafs will monitor his progress this year without overloading him with instruction or directives. That will begin next year, Hughes said, when the team becomes involved in aspects such as his training regimen.

“Sometimes, we’ll talk to him and sometimes we’ll stay out of his way, give him his space,” he said. “He’s a smart kid, and he’s got tremendous hockey sense and poise. And he just needs time. That’s all he needs.”

Blacker is generally more aggressive on the ice, to the point where the Leafs actually had to talk to him about proper positioning, about resisting the urge to chase the play. He had 16 points in 22 OHL playoff games last spring, while Percy had 12 points in 20 games.

“In a lot of ways, these kids grow up on their own,” Hughes said. “They’re boys, and then they start becoming men. They start looking after themselves even better — they eat better, they sleep better, their habits get better — simply because they mature.”

The OHL final probably aged both opposing coaches who, in another coincidence, have also ended up on the same team. Dave Cameron (Mississauga) and Mark Reeds (Owen Sound) joined the Ottawa Senators as assistant coaches in June. They have carpooled to the arena this week in Oshawa.

“I was lucky it was a pretty busy summer,” Percy said. “I had lots to do and little time to think about it, I guess. But it’s definitely hurtful to go through that whole, long year and just come up a couple goals short in both games.”

“He’s quite the young player, he’s got a lot of time ahead of him,” Blacker said. “I’m sure a contending [junior] team’s going to be after him this year to help them make a run. I’m sure he’ll have another shot at it — and I’m sure he’ll capitalize, this time.”

• Email: sfitzgerald@nationalpost.com | Twitter: SeanFitz_Gerald

“I didn’t pick this number, but I’m happy with it,” It’s great to be compared to a guy like that,” said Gardiner, who wore his new No. 51 Leafs jersey at the 2011 NHLPA Rookie Showcase on Tuesday. “[Kaberle’s] a great player, solid for the Leafs for so many years. Boston was lucky enough to get him and he won a Cup for them — it would be fun to say I play a lot like him.”

Gardiner not only plays like the smooth-skating Czech. He also sounds like him.

Not that the Minnesota native has much of an accent, but like Kaberle, who was known for his shy personality, Gardiner lets his play do the most of the talking. That made Tuesday’s event, in which he had his photo taken for an upcoming Upper Deck and Panini America trading card, a bit awkward.

“I’m not the most outgoing person,” admitted Gardiner, who spent the past three years at the University of Wisconsin. “But [the spotlight] doesn’t bother me one bit. It’s nice to have fans that care and media that cares and I’m just happy to be here.

“It’s been a crazy ride. When you play in college, you don’t have cameras in your face every 10 minutes. But it’s been a fun ride and I’m enjoying every minute of it.”

The ride is just getting started.

Ever since the Leafs plucked Gardiner — originally drafted 17th overall by GM Brian Burke in 2008 — and Joffrey Lupul from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for François Beauchemin, they saw someone who could quarterback the power play and log top-four minutes. Just not right away.

Perhaps that is why the Leafs acquired John-Michael Liles from the Colorado Avalanche, while Gardiner and prospects Jesse Blacker and Stuart Percy get their feet wet.

That does not mean the 6-foot-2 Gardiner cannot make the team out of training camp or he will not see playing time at some point this season. It just means he will not be rushed.

“They just told me to play my game and see what happens,” Gardiner said of training camp. “No expectations … I want to make this team. There are a lot of good defencemen on our team right now, so it’s hard to say. But I’m going to come ready and hopefully I’ll get a shot this year.”

Gardiner played 10 games for the Toronto Marlies at the end of last season, picking up three assists and a plus-4 rating. It was a “step forward,” he said. But it was not exactly what he would call a smooth transition.

The speed of the game, when compared to the college level, was significantly faster in the American Hockey League. And though Gardiner is known for his strong skating and ability to make a quick pass, he often panicked when under pressure and ended up making more mistakes than he is used to.

“I just need to relax out there a little bit more,” he said of his game. “I was a little nervous playing pro hockey. I think those 10 games helped … if I’m uptight, it’s not going to be there for me. Being relaxed definitely helps.”

Calm and cool is a trait that worked for Kaberle during his 12 seasons in Toronto. It did not matter if there was a forward hot on his trail or a hungry mob of reporters waiting by his dressing room stall, the veteran defenceman never seemed rattled.

Gardiner hopes to handle the pressure in a like-minded fashion. But he also realizes it will take time. This is not college. This is not even Anaheim, where one or two reporters interviewed him at prospects camp last year.

But if the Leafs are confident he can grow into his new jersey, then so is Gardiner.

“I’m just going to play to the best of my abilities and see what happens,” he said.

• Email: mtraikos@nationalpost.com | Twitter: Michael_Traikos

Former Spitfire Austin Watson of the Peterborough Petes and three Plymouth Whalers – defenceman Austin Levi and forwards Stefan Noesen and J.T. Miller – also made the cut. Other Ontario Hockey League players listed among the 29 are goaltender John Gibson and forward Connor Murphy of the Sarnia Sting, forward Vince Trochek (Saginaw Spirit) and defenceman Jared Tinordi and forward Jared Knight, both of the London Knights. Defenceman Stephen Johns, a Spitfires draft pick currently playing NCAA hockey at Notre Dame, was also selected to the roster.

The pared-down U.S. squad will play exhibition games Wednesday (Sweden), Thursday (Finland) and Saturday (Sweden) in Lake Placid, N.Y. The 2012 International Ice Hockey Federation world junior championship is slated for Dec. 26, 2011-Jan. 5, 2012, in Calgary and Edmonton.

Spitfires forward Kenny Ryan and former Spitfires defenceman Jesse Blacker of the Owen Sound Attack will both be part of the Toronto Maple Leafs roster for the club’s fall rookie tournament, slated for Sept. 10-13 in Oshawa. Rookie squads from the Chicago Blackhawks, Ottawa Senators and Pittsburgh Penguins will also participate in the event.

London Knights goalie coach and former Spitfires goaltending instructor Bill Dark will conduct a goalie camp Aug. 16-18 at the WFCU Centre. Instructors will include former Spitfires goalies Andrew Engelage and Josh Unice. Cost for the camp is $300. For further information, phone (519) 630-4733, or e-mail bdark@rogers.com.

Anherstburg’s Dean Fantin finished third in Saturday’s Super Class division of the Canadian Touring Car Championship event in Trois Rivieres, Que. Tampa Bay Lightning defenceman Marc-Andre Bergeron, who also competed in the race, was involved in an accident on the sixth lap and did not finish. Fantin finished sixth in Friday’s race at Trois Rivieres and sits third in the overall standings with 1159 points. Richard Boake of King City, Ont. is atop the standings with 1229 points.

Jesse Blacker- Image Courtesy of Claus Anderson/Getty Images

“(He’s) one of my favourites,” commented Jim Hughes, Director of Player Development. “He’s just such a great kid, street smart kid and he has a passion for the game and a willingness to listen and learn,” he added.

Staying patient with the development plan, General Manager Brian Burke drafted Blacker as a young, raw, offensive minded defenseman still waiting for the opportunity to be let out of the cage.

When selected by the Leafs following the 2008/09 season, the Toronto native was coming off a Memorial Cup championship with the Ontario Hockey League’s Windsor Spitfires. Although it was his second year with Windsor, it was his first full length season and much of it was played with Toronto Marlies forward Dale Mitchell. Blacker had only 21 points in 67 games but a very respectable plus-46.

Entering his third season of major junior hockey, Blacker knew that staying with a power house like Windsor could win him another championship, but it also could slow down his development. The Spitfires D core already had Canadian Junior stand-out Ryan Ellis, so when Anaheim Ducks first round pick Cam Fowler joined Windsor after spending three years with the U.S. Under-18 program, the blue line enabled too much talent and not enough ice time to go around.

Blacker decided a trade out of Windsor was a must and, keeping in mind that playing time generates development, he was shipped to the Owen Sound attack; a team that had more than enough room for his skill.

His first year with the Attack offered him a bigger role and in 48 games, Blacker showed that he indeed could transition the puck through each zone of the ice as he put up 30 points, including 24 assists. Unfortunately the Attack finished fifth in the Midwest division and missed the play-offs; the only time in Blacker’s four year OHL career. Windsor went on to repeat as Memorial Cup champs.

With no post season to participate in at the OHL level, at the age of 19, Blacker suited up in six games with the Marlies to finish the 2009/10 season.

An American Hockey League agreement with the Canadian Hockey League states that a player coming from the CHL must have played four seasons at junior level, or be 20 years of age before he can start a season in the AHL. Because of this rule, last season Blacker’s options were to make the Leafs roster out of rookie camp or be sent to junior for one final year.

That final year with Owen Sound had many accomplishments as Blacker put up 54 points in 62 games, earning OHL Third Team All-Star.

The Attack recovered from the previous season’s failure and finished first in their conference, setting records for points (97) and wins (46).

With Blacker manning a young defensive squad, Owen Sound’s successful regular season was followed with a J. Ross Robertson Cup as OHL champions. Along the road to victory,  Blacker and his Attack eliminated his former Spitfires in the Conference Final.

For Blacker, he believes winning another OHL Championship was a great way to end his junior hockey.

“Being able to do that a second time was an amazing feeling.  After leaving Windsor, you don’t know if you’ll ever be on a championship team again,” he said when reflecting back. “To pull it off for the city, the guys on the team and everyone there, it was amazing,” he added when discussing what it meant to win with Owen Sound.

Jesse Blacker- Image Courtesy of Rick Stewart/ Getty Images

With this upcoming season looking like one that has Blacker playing for the Marlies, he recently went through another prospects camp and knows that each one he’s been too has had its purpose.

“Coming out here and working hard is the first step. We’re fighting for jobs and it starts here with prospect camp. Everyone’s looking to do the same thing I am, make an impression. Everything we do here helps and it’s a step in the right direction.”

Three prospects camps makes the now 20 year old a veteran of how the Leafs development system works and with his on ice skills improving, so too has his leadership off the ice.

“I try to help everyone out as much as possible,” he said when looking at the differences from his first camp until now. “Whoever takes the advice takes it and whoever doesn’t, doesn’t. But I’ll try to help the younger guys out as much as possible.”

The first thing you notice when Blacker hits the ice is how he wants to be part of every play. Whether rushing the puck or making the first pass, his north-south game emerged in Owen Sound. And with as much as he was able to accomplish at the junior level, the increase of talent at prospects camp makes him aware of what he feels he still needs to continue working on.

“I feel (it’s) waiting for the game, not so much rushing things and trying to do too much all the time is the key. I realized if you go a game without a rush or an offensive change it’s not necessarily a bad thing. It’s just the way the game is.”

As thrilled as Blacker is to make the next step in hockey, the same feelings can be said about the Leafs who have patiently waited out the junior process. Hughes in particular is excited to see Blacker graduate from junior.

“When Burkie put me in this role, he (Blacker) was one of the first guys I met. He was kind of a boy at the time and now he’s grown up so much and matured so much. He’s come so far in a short amount of time.”

With the AHL being the next step for Blacker, Hughes also solidified that everything regarding Blacker’s progression is on track for a positive future.

“He’s well on his way now.”

Jesse Blacker Career Statistics

Kyle Cicerella

Follow me on Twitter @KyleTheReporter

Nazem Kadri- Image Courtesy of Claus Anderson/Getty Images

In what was Burke’s first draft as head of the Leafs organization, seven players were selected led by Nazem Kadri as their first round choice.

If you remember with Kadri, after being selected by Toronto seventh overall, he was sent back to his junior team the London Knights. There he would have a break out year with 93 points in 56 games. He also represented Canada at the World Junior Championships; earning a silver medal in 2010.

Last season he started his pro career in the American Hockey League with the Toronto Marlies before a series of call-ups, demotions and inconsistent play gave way to him finishing the season as a member of the Leafs.

It was a season that forced Kadri to learn the pro game quicker than the original development timeline planned for and along the way Leafs coaches learned that Kadri would not be the centre man of the future. That is why he will start the upcoming season on the left-wing with the Leafs.

With so much of the media attention surrounding Kadri’s first year, the other six selections from his draft class went their own ways, under the radar, developing their game as well.

So with the 2011/12 hockey season coming up, there’s a great chance those other choices will be following Kadri into professional hockey.

6’6” defenseman Eric Knodel is committed to the University of New Hampshire for next year but Jerry D’Amigo, Jesse Blacker, Jamie Devane, and Kenny Ryan all have a shot at cracking the Marlies roster. In fact, the only draft pick from 2009 not still associated with the Leafs is former seventh round pick Barron Smith, who re-entered the 2011 draft after being left unsigned by Toronto.

Drafted in the sixth round, D’Amigo has the most experience out of the group after playing 43 games last season with the Marlies. Although he flattened out offensively, the Binghamton, New York native found his stride late in the season with the Ontario Hockey League’s Kitchener Rangers. The demotion worked as a benefit, as he earned 28 points in 21 junior games, and not a set back as it could be easily seen as. D’Amigo’s spot will be on the left side with the Marlies when the season starts.

As a member of the Owen Sound Attack, Blacker wrapped up four years of junior hockey by winning the J. Ross Robertson Cup as an OHL champion. It was his second time winning the championship following his 2008/09 victory with the Windsor Spitfires; a team that also won the Memorial Cup.

The second round pick should crack the Marlies roster especially considering the praise he took from Leafs management at this year’s prospect camp. His 54 points in 62 games last season showcased his main talent of being able to move the puck; either by skating or making the first pass.

Devane is a player of Burke’s competence, standing 6’5” and 220lbs. He proclaims to be an energy guy and looks at Milan Lucic as a player to base his game on. The native of Mississauga has played for the Plymouth Whalers of the OHL since being drafted in the 3^rd round by Toronto and potted 19 goals along with 131 minutes in penalties last season. The power forward isn’t afraid to drop the gloves, as he did it numerous times last season but it could be his skating that decides where he starts next year. The left-wing could have a log jam with the likes of Luca Caputi, Ryan Hamilton, Marcel Mueller and D’Amigo ahead of him on the depth chart. So unless the Marlies need instanst toughness, he could be playing for the East Coast Hockey League’s Reading Royals.

Kenny Ryan- Image Courtesy of Kevin Chauvin

Ryan, like Blacker, was picked in the second round. Once a teammate of D’Amigo’s on the U.S. National Under-18 team, the native of Franklin, Michigan declined an offer from Boston University and chose to play two years of junior in Canada with the Windsor Spitfires. He was a part of the Spitfires 2009/10 Memorial Cup championship and put up 60 points in 63 games last year as a 19 year old.

He played as a right-winger before Windsor moved him to centre. Unsure of where he will be in the future, the Leafs kept him in the middle at this year’s prospect camp and he showed how well he could control the puck using his body as a shield.

Even though Ryan didn’t look out of place at his second position, he may have a better shot at making the Marlies on the right-wing simply due to the depth at centre amongst the organization. He faces a similar situation as Devane as he heads into the season fighting for a position on a Marlies roster that yields a solid base.

With Knodel’s plans including more development at the collegiate level, it is unclear still if he will play any pro hockey. He didn’t play last season, sitting out his freshman year. Another season in the NCAA will tell a lot about what to expect regarding his future.

Regardless of Knodel staying in college, the overall numbers don’t lie. The 2009 entry draft  was a successful building tool that gives Burke many options when moulding his future squad.

It also offers the Leafs organization five players who are ready to play some form of pro hockey in 2011/12.

That’s a pretty good draft year.

Full 2009 Leafs Draft Class in Order

Kyle Cicerella

Follow me on Twitter @KyleTheReporter

They’ve been going all out for months now.. So the Attack decided it was time for a break. Brent Lale has the story from Mississauga.

In this story: Mark Reeds, Jordan Binnington, Garrett Wilson, Brent Lale, Jesse Blacker

A pair of undefeated teams get together Monday at the Memorial Cup in Mississauga.

In this story: Robby Mignardi, Andrew Fritsch, Jesse Blacker, Mark Reeds

Pfeil, a car dealership owner, told his wife Mohana he was going to go to one of his lots to get the White Mitsubishi Spyder Convertible with “Go Attack Go” on the hood. The 44-year-old has been an advertiser for the Attack for over a decade and thought some players might sit in the back seat with the J. Ross Robertson Cup.

The family met the Attack’s bus on Highway 10 just outside of town. Pfeil saw defenceman Jesse Blacker and winger Garrett Wilson holding the trophy.

The players pointed to the car and then to the cup. Mohana asked how the players would fit alongside his sons Jacob and Lucas.

“I don’t care, honey,” Pfeil said. “But if they want to come into this convertible, we’re going to find a way.”
On their four-kilometre journey to the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre, thousands stood on their lawns or hung out windows. “You can’t even imagine what that does for the community,” Pfeil said.
On Saturday, Owen Sound will open its Memorial Cup run against the Kootenay Ice, the Western Hockey League champions from Cranbrook, B.C.

With populations of 21,753 and 18,267 respectively, Owen Sound and Cranbrook are two of the smallest markets in the CHL.

Kootenay, the 2002 champion, is making its  third trip to the national tournament. It is all new for Owen Sound, a team owned by a local ownership group for a decade.

The Guelph Platers moved to Owen Sound in the early 1990s, but by the turn of the century the team’s owners were looking to move east to Cornwall. A hodgepodge of local proprietors came together—restaurant, campground and agricultural retail owners— to renovate the arena and keep the team.

“A lot of people in town would have been disheartened if [the Attack] did leave,” said co-owner Peter MacDermind, who is also a part-owner of the Woodland Park campground in nearby Sauble Beach. He said the Attack’s first OHL title is not only good for business, it is great for the community.

“It really brings … exposure to Owen Sound and the surrounding area,” he said.

More than 3,500 kilometres away in Cranbrook, Jason Wiersma can look out of the windows of The Bedroom Furniture Galleries on Baker Street and see signed Kootenay Ice jerseys and signs reading “Go Ice Go” in most shop windows. Kootenay was the fourth seed in the WHL’s Eastern Conference but lost only three post-season games.

“After the first series [4-2 over Moose Jaw], everybody thought they would go all the way,” said Wiersma, a marketing and sales director, adding the town is confident the Ice can win its second national title.

Pfeil is circumspect. He is not yet thinking about another parade. But if the Attack win junior hockey’s biggest prize, the whole community will be there, again. If they fall short it doesn’t matter, because everyone will hold onto that  procession to the arena forever.

When the Pfeils finally returned home last Sunday, Jacob was grinning. “What are you grinning about?” Pfeil asked his eldest son.

“Dad,” Jacob said, “I can’t believe it. We just had two future NHL stars and the OHL cup in the car!”

• Email: mscianitti@nationalpost.com | Twitter: @mscianitti

Some may see that as a prediction of failure but I don’t.  I see the Leafs as a delicious Thanksgiving turkey.  You need to cook the thing for 10 hours and no matter how good it smells, or how good you know it’s going to taste, nothing will get around the fact that it will need 10 hours to cook.  If you try to eat it in 5 hours you will get sick and if you try to judge the quality of the meal after 5 hours you’ll be judging an undercooked turkey and won’t have anything favorable to say.

Hockey teams aren’t turkeys and there isn’t a set time limit to developing youth but you get the analogy.  Some teams do it in two or three seasons (like the Kings) some do it in six or seven (like the Hawks and Pens) and some teams still haven’t figured out how to do it after a decade of trying (like the Islanders).

This is what the Blackhawks looked like last year...the Leafs just got put in the oven!

If it’s going to take the Leafs 10 hours to cooke I’d say they are at about hour 5.  Sure there are problems and mistakes that any fan can point to.  Starting the season with nearly zero depth up the middle predictably sealed their fate before the season started, some big name signings are definitely underperforming (see Komisarek) and Kaberle has predictably done nothing to make me think that Burke was right to keep him.

When Burke inherited the Leafs he faced three problems:

1) A roster full of overpriced, underachieving older players

2) A farm team that contained no actual prospects

3) A depth chart that desperately lacked developing prospects.

Burke has a plan and if one looks carefully its progress is in its infancy stages.  Here’s how he’s addressed those issues:

1) THE ROSTER: Burke traded away most of the players he inherited  (like Blake, Antropov, Toskala, Hagman, Stajan, etc.) and some mid level prospects (like Di Domenico and Paradis) for draft picks (such as those used to select Kenny Ryan and Jesse Blacker) and for younger players like Kris Versteeg and Dion Phaneuf.  Burke also made the controversial deal for the now 23 year old Kessel and signed UFAs like Clarke MacArthur, Mike Komisarek, Francois Beauchemin, Colby Armstrong and the un-drafted Tyler Bozak.

21 year old 5th overall pick Luke Schenn will be a key piece of the team moving forward.

The result is that combined with the inherited Luke Schenn, Nikolai Kulemin, Mikhail Grabovski and Carl Gunnarson, the Leafs roster is a younger more inexperienced one.

The goal for the roster is that the core of players going forward being mostly 25 or younger will approach their prime together in the next two or three years.  To be sure there will be changes but having a young, developing roster gives younger prospects some breathing room to develop over the next few seasons.  This will be absolutely necessary in building a reliable system with fully developed prospects instead of rushing (and ruining) prospects which Toronto has been accused of over the years.  In a city like Toronto where everything is scrutinized, the team doesn’t have the luxury of letting their prospects make mistakes at the NHL level so extra development time will be necessary.

2) THE FARM: Because the Leafs didn’t have a lot of high end talent in the 21-25 year old range developing on the farm, Brian Burke has attempted to fill those holes with un-drafted free agents like Bozak, Hanson, Irwin, Mueller, Rynnas, Scrivens and Simon Gysbers.  It is highly unlikely that all of these players will become NHLers but what adding these players does is increase the likelihood that at least one or two will become regular NHLers.  For now Bozak has earned a regular NHL spot and although he isn’t dominating, he looks like he belongs on most nights.

There are of course a few Leafs draft picks from pre 2008 who have survived the purge like Korbinian Holzer, James Reimer and Jiraj Mikus.  At this point, according to what I’ve heard from Dave Poulin, they are all progressing but are still another 2 – 3 years away from cracking the roster on a regular basis.

Perhaps the closest players to cracking the roster on a permanent basis are 20 year old Nazem Kadri and 21 year old Keith Aulie who will likely continue to bounce back and forth for the rest of the season.  They both look like they could be ready next year and in Aulie’s case, if the Leafs move a defenseman at the deadline this year, he could finish the year with the Leafs.

19 year old Jerry D’Amigo looks like he’s a few years away as does Dale Mitchell.

The re-stocking of the farm has done two things: Firstly, it has now provided a competitive AHL roster full of mostly 21-23 year olds who have one or two years left on their entry level deals.  The second thing it does is that because of the first reason, promising Leaf draft picks can now spend an extra year or two developing in junior before challenging for an AHL roster spot where they will likely spend another two years or so.

The result is that the AHL team has a roster full of kids who are almost ready to show whether or not they have what it takes to break into an NHL roster while waiting in the wings are some kids who will need a little more time.  The best part about having a strong farm team is that there shouldn’t be any urgency to start throwing these kids in the lineup before they are ready.

3) THE SYSTEM: Despite the erroneous declarations by ‘experts’ like Spector and Strachen etc. the Leafs ARE building through the draft despite the price paid for Kessel.  Burke has quietly drafted in both the 2nd and 3rd rounds three times in the past two drafts.  Right now the Leafs have a few kids putting up very good numbers in junior from the past two drafts (McKegg, Ross, Ryan Nicholls and Blacker) with two already developing with the Marlies (Kadri, D’Amigo) and one who is apparently a longer term project (Olden) developing in Europe.   Blacker and Ryan will join the Marlies next year but I wouldn’t be shocked to see McKegg and Ross sent back to junior for another year if the Marlies roster is set.

Look I’m no idiot.  The Leafs system isn’t the best in the NHL but it’s certainly in the top half of the league (according to Hockey’s Future and the Hockey News anyway).  I’m not writing this to convince anybody that the Leafs have a dozen Patrick Sharps developing right now.  Realistically half of those players will never become NHL regulars and if two become legitimate top line players at their positions the Leafs will be very happy.

The point is that there is a plan:  1) Build a roster full of young players and give them time to develop some chemistry and put less pressure on the Marlies to provide NHL ready prospects 2) Build a Marlies roster full of 21-24 year olds who will compete for roster spots with the big club but will need development time which will put less pressure on recent draft picks and 3) allow recent draft picks an extra year or two of junior (or in Europe) before starting their development in the AHL.

There is no guarantee that this will work but establishing a development system had to be done and was never going to happen overnight.  My guess is that we won’t see how well the implemented system will pay off for another 2 or 3 years at least but the important thing is to stick to it because as I’ve said over and over: Development takes time.

To finish today’s long winded post, here’s my list of the top five Maple Leaf prospects 21 and under.

1.  NAZEM KADRI - (20 years old drafted 7th overall 2009)

As soon as Kadri learns how to make better decisions and use his creativity more responsibly he’ll be a very good player.  He’s certainly got the vision and the tools; now he just needs a bit of time.

2.  KEITH AULIE - ( 21 years old drafted in the 4th round by Calgary acquired in the Phaneuf deal)

Aulie looked very steady in his time with the Leafs and has been the Marlies best defenseman this year (from what I’ve read).  My guess is that the Leafs move Beauchemin or Kaberle this year (just a hunch) and that Aulie steps in for the remainder of the season.  Considering most of the Leafs defensive mistakes have been made by veterans I can’t really see the harm in this if Aulie is ready.

3.  JERRY D’AMIGO - (19 years old  drafted 6th round by the Leafs in 2009)

D’Amigo started the year slowly with the Marlies but has shown flashes of what made him a standout at the Juniors last year.  He’s inconsistent but is also young.  He got hurt early in the Junior tournament this year and subsequently hasn’t been as dominant this year as he was last year.  In any case, there is little doubt that D’Amigo is a steal in the 6th round when watching him skate alongside 1st and 2nd rounders and look just as good as most of them.

4.  JESSE BLACKER - (19 years old drafted 2nd round in 2009 by the Leafs)

Blacker is the best offensive defensive prospect in the Leafs system.  He’s currently a point per game in the OHL (33pts in 33 games) and is playing much better in his own end (according to his coach anyway).  Blacker won’t be in the NHL next year but he’ll definitely start his pro career with the Marlies as he’s already got a cup of coffee there last year.

5.  GRED MCKEGG - (18 years old drafted 3rd round 2010 by the Leafs)

McKegg is once again lighting up the OHL offensively.  He plays for the Erie Otters, one of the league’s worst teams, and has 54 points in 38 games.  He’s already been named OHL’s player of the week twice and considering he got 85 points in 67 games last year, it’s safe to say that McKegg has good offensive abilities at the junior level.  Only time will tell if McKegg can do it at the pro level too.  McKegg could spend another year in junior next year unless he has a stand out camp and the Leafs want to accelerate his development by having him spend a year in the AHL.

Honourable Mentions:  Brad Ross, Sondre Olden, Kenny Ryan.

Leafs’ draft pick gets his shot at playing… in Buffalo. He speaks with Norman James.

Jesse Blacker Interview

Professionally, it’s a good bet he’ll be a Leaf one day. Until then, Jesse Blacker is an Attack’er. Brent Lale has more on Jesse’s goals in Owen Sound.

Among those being cut were Wayne Primeau, who was on a professional tryout.

“We’re going to send an e-mail to all the teams tomorrow informing that he’s available and how hard he works and what a good guy he is,” said GM Brian Burke. “Hopefully we can get him something. But I think for the direction we’re going, we need to go in a different direction.”

As well, the team assigned goaltenders Jussi Rynnas, Ben Scrivens, defencemen Keith Aulie, Mike Brennan, Simon Gysbers, Korbinian Holzer, Juraj Mikus and forwards Jerry D’Amigo, Brayden Irwin, Marcel Mueller, Greg Scott, Robert Slaney to the Toronto Marlies.

Alex Foster, Ryan Hamilton, Daryl Boyce and Joey Crabb were placed on waivers. If they clear by noon Monday, they will be assigned to the Marlies.

Jesse Blacker (Owen Sound), Sam Carrick (Brampton), Andrew Crescenzi (Kitchener) and Brad Ross (Portland) were returned to junior.

The Leafs, who recently played five games in five nights, have four pre-season games remaining beginning on Monday against the Buffalo Sabres.

Here are the remaining players at camp:

GOALTENDERS
J-S Giguere
Jonas Gustavsson
James Reimer

FORWARDS
Phil Kessel
Tyler Bozak
Kris Versteeg
Mikhail Grabovski
Nikolai Kulemin
Clarke MacArthur
Colby Armstrong
Fredrik Sjostrom
John Mitchell
Nazem Kadri
Christian Hanson
Colton Orr
Mike Brown
Luca Caputi
Tim Brent
Jay Rosehill
Mike Zigomanis

DEFENCEMEN
Dion Phaneuf
François Beauchemin
Mike Komisarek
Tomas Kaberle
Luke Schenn
Carl Gunnarsson
Brett Lebda
Danny Richmond
Jeff Finger
Matt Lashoff

1 Kulemin-Bozak-Kessel

2 Versteeg-Kadri-Armstrong

3 Sjostrom-Grabovski-MacArthur

4 Brown-Hanson-Orr

1 Phanuef-Beauchemin

2 Kaberle-Komisarek

3 Schenn-Gunnarsson

Another player I feel could be AHL bound is London Knights standout centre Nazem Kadri.  He hasn’t looked himself (early) and barring a turnaround and some prolonged consistent play I think the AHL is just what he needs to continue his development physically and maybe more importantly, mentally.  It would be a good test for Kadri and the Leafs to see how we would potentially deal with the disappointment of beginning the year in the minor leagues.  Let’s face it Kadri isn’t Sidney Crosby (duh), he still has a long way to go and I think growing up a bit might actually be the first step and when I view him on most nights his overall body language to me screams ‘entitlement’.  Some of the top players in the game have honed their crafts in the underrated and valuable AHL.

So if Kadri is Toronto Marlies bound to begin the year, what are the Leafs options in terms of the most effective line-up?  I think the defence core remains the same until or unless one of the current “top six” either gets injured or is simply ineffective.  That is an extremely deep and promising group of defenders and with Luke Schenn appearing confident early, it will be a real area of strength for the team on the ice and in the front office should Brian Burke feel the need to address his weakness at the centre ice position by moving one of Kaberle, Beauchemin, Komisarek and depending if he gets blown away with an offer and he comes out of the gate strong, Schenn.

Here is my ideal line-up:

1 Kulemin-Bozak-Kessel

2 Versteeg-Grabovksi-MacArthur

3 Caputi-Mitchell/Kadri-Armstrong

4 Brown-Hanson-Orr

Honestly I do like the first line-up with Grabovski on the third line adding some solid scoring depth, but only if Nazem Kadri proves to be big league ready right off the bat, which so far (very early on) is just not the case.  So I moved Grabo up to the 2^nd line centre role between newcomers Kris Versteeg and Clarke MacArthur.  This could prove to be a solid goal scoring line with all three players capable of sniping up to 20-25 goals while adding a nice touch of speed and skill to the line-up.  We brought in both Versteeg and MacArthur to pick up the scoring slack so no sense wasting either in a lesser 3^rd line role. 

Speaking of the 3^rd line, this is John Mitchell’s chance to prove he belongs, likely his last opportunity to do so in the NHL.  He’ll be between Luca Caputi and Colby Armstrong, both players who can skate, hit and hopefully score a few while playing a sound defensive game.  Caputi has shown up to camp in tremendous shape and looks to be bigger, stronger and most importantly faster on his skates.  He has been a big prospect for a few years and he needs to start showcasing that potential this season.  We already know what Armstrong brings, and he will be a fan favourite for his rambunctious style of play.  This could be an effective, abrasive and solid checking style line with the chance to pop in a few goals and make some things happen down low and on the cycle.

The argument for keeping Kadri on the team and playing with the 3^rd line unit is simple, give him a chance to stay with the big club and hopefully simplify his game and improve his defensive shortcomings by throwing him into the fire.  It is doubtful the Leafs will want to do this and would likely prefer him starring in the AHL in a more prolific offensive role, but it’s a thought to ponder.

The 4^th line is a pure energy and momentum changing line with two solid skating big men (Hanson and Brown) who aren’t scared to get their noses dirty and of course the Leafs heavyweight (Orr).  Mike Brown could prove to be one of Burke’s best offseason additions with his tenacity, strong skating and hitting tendencies and a bonus that he is a great penalty killer.  I like Christian Hanson and I think he deserves to be on this team and I look for a breakout season and a potential move up to the 3^rd line depending on how Mitchell/Kadri performs.  Colton Orr brings his usual presence and huge right hand on a nightly basis and he could be the best pure fighter in Leafs history?

A lot of the Leafs success will clearly rest with the defence and as long as we stay healthy and each player plays up to his potential it should be one of the better groups in the NHL.  Goaltending will also be imperative to any potential playoff berth and I think I can safely say (knock on wood) that there is no way it can be any worse than what the sieve named Vesa Toskala provided us last season, especially early when we started so terribly.  JS Giguere and Jonas Gustavsson provide a pretty solid tandem and it finally appears we have a couple solid young tenders in the system in Jussi Rynnas, Ben Scrivens and Reimer.

We can make the playoffs a reality if:

-Phil Kessel stays healthy

-Tyler Bozak and Nik Kulemin play the entire season with Kessel and they continue building (and improving) on their success and chemisty from last season

-Dion Phaneuf scores 15+ goals and returns to the dominating (maybe slightly calmer) physical presence and power play star

-Luke Schenn forces Ron Wilson to play him 20+ minutes due to outstanding play, which in turn allows Brian Burke to move one of our excess defenseman (Kaberle) for a top notch centre

-Mikael Grabovski has a career year (60+ points)

-Nazem Kadri joins the Leafs half way through the season and starts to contribute at the big league level, consistently, adding much needed secondary scoring

-Versteeg, Armstrong, Brown, MacArthur, Komisarek, Beauchemin and Giguere simply play to their career norms, or slightly above

-Jonas Gustavsson’s play forces Ron Wilson to re-think the tandem due to extremely consistent performances

-Improved play from Hanson, Caputi, Mitchell and Kulemin

-Ron Wilson and the coaching staff improve the worst special teams in the history of the franchise, two years running

-We don’t start the year 0-7-1 and we drastically improve our putrid shootout record post lockout

What are your other keys to a successful Maple Leafs season?  What are you looking for from the team this year?  Who are you most excited, nervous, and anxious or worried about?

-Once again, Jay Rosehill was a big contributor with his underrated speed and physical presence.  Attacking defenders on the forecheck and leaving no man standing in his wake, Rosey has been one of my favourite Leafs for the past two years, I would love to see him get a 4^th line role with the team this year.

-Tyler Bozak is here to stay, the kid is legit.  He looks bigger and stronger but unlike Nazem Kadri he still appears to have all of the skills that make him effective, namely, his speed and overall vision on the ice.

-Luca Caputi had a strong game and is starting to show glimpses of the potential that made the Pittsburgh Penguins originally draft Caputi as he notched a goal and an assist and a strong physical presence.

-Phil Kessel was his normal dynamic self and Nik Kulemin appears poised to take another step forward this year in his development.

-Luke Schenn appears to have regained his confidence and showcased an improving level of confidence and poise en route to a very solid game.  If Schenn is only our #5 or 6 defenseman the Leafs are in amazing shape on the blue line.  Jesse Blacker looked like a major leaguer and will give the Leafs even more headaches when trying to decide the final NHL roster before the season starts.

-Mikael Grabovski has a boatload of skill and talent, if he puts in the work I see a big year for our #2 centre.  I expect him to play with Kris Versteeg and possibly Clarke MacArthur or Colby Armstrong and potentially score 25 goals and hopefully net 65 points if he can stay healthy.

-Good to see Mike Komisarek back in action, if he can play a smart and simple game he could be a big time addition to the Leafs backend.  If you don’t notice him much, it means he is having a good game, when he tried to over compensate and act like a crazy head hunter is when his game suffers.

All in all a much improved effort with the Leafs showcasing a pretty impressive combo of speed, skill and truculence (I had to say it).  When I think of the two different groups the Leafs put on the ice in game one and two I am actually pretty excited to think of assembling the best 4 lines of forwards and top 6 defenseman and turning it into one complete roster, I think the Leafs could surprise a few teams this year regardless of the rest of the preseason, Brian Burke has this team heading in the right direction.

-Nazem Kadri didn’t look that hot, he never got into the flow of the game and tried to do to much at times.  Most of my section was generally unimpressed with him not even hoping for highlite reel plays but to just play even an effective simple game with solid passing and positional play.  It wasn’t his night as he didn’t win draws or make much of an impact outside a nice hit or two.

**UPDATE: Nazem Kadri suffered a minor injury in last night’s game, which makes some sense to me given how he didn’t look like himself at all.  His body is likely going through hell right now with his first real off-season dedicated to conditioning and weight lifting to add some much needed strength and size to survive the rigors of a full NHL season.

Let him rest and come back strong for camp, this is a huge adjustment for him physically.

-Sondre Olden looked unreal, flashing great speed and skill to go along with great size.  He could be a keeper going forward, possible steal?

-Jerry D’Amigo is still a ways off, no chance he cracks the Leafs roster this season, who’s spot would he realistically take?

-Brayden Irwin looked improved, slightly better skating (could it get worse?) and he won nearly every draw he took.  Still a long shot to ever play in the NHL though in a meaningful role, a possible 4th line centre?

-Greg McKegg looked fundamentally sound (as advertised) but he has more flash and dash than I expected, definitely looks like a possible second liner scoring winger for the future.  Could McKegg be a more effective pro than Kadri, that was the talk making the rounds with some excellent and knowledgeable fans.

-Jussi Rynnas looked shaky at best in the first period but settled down after that and made a few good saves as the Leafs were outshot and outplayed.  The Hawks goalie looked terrible all night and gave up a few questionable first period goals.

-Jesse Blacker moved the puck nicely (no Keith Aullie tonight, who I really wanted to see!)

-Korbinian Holzer had my entire section in awe, always in position and used his size and strength all night and was never beat one on one.  Good debut, could be a solid 5-6 d’man.

-Nobody from the Hawks wanted anything to do with tough guy Jamie Devane, he tried to get a couple things going with some opposing forwards, all for not. 

-Marcel Mueller looked impressive, he used his size and strength and big frame to his advantage.

-No Mike Liambas tonight (player suspended from the OHL for hit in 2010) as he wasn’t dressed, there was a lot of discussion surrounding him and his reputation.

Here is the entire roster as given by the JLC crew to each fan in attendance:

G - Andrew Engelage, 6’5″ – 206 AGE 22, Jussi Rynnas, 6’5″ – 205 AGE 23, Ben Scrivens, 6’2″ - 192, AGE 24

D – Keith Aullie, 6’5″ – 217 AGE 21, Jesse Blacker, 6’1″ – 190 AGE 19, Erik Burgdoerfer, 6’2″ 210 AGE 21, Dave Cowan, 6’4, 205 AGE 24, Marc-Andre Dorian, 5’11″ – 172 AGE 23, Simon Gysbers, 6’4″ – 200 AGE 23, Korbinian Holzer 6’3″ – 205 AGE 22, Dallas Jackson 6’2″, 188 AGE 21, Drew Paris 6’4″, 200 AGE 22, Barron Smith, 6’5″ – 205 AGE 19

F – Sam Carrick, 6’0″ – 188 AGE 18, Andrew Crescenzi, 6’4″ – 195 AGE 19, Jerry D’Amigo, 5’11″ – 208 AGE 19, Jamie Devane, 6’5″ 217 AGE 19, Brayden Irwin, 6’5″ 215 AGE 23, Nazem Kadri 6’0″? – 188 AGE 19, Mike Liambas, 5’9″ – 204 AGE 21, Greg McKegg 6’0″ – 190 AGE 18, Dale Mitchell 5’9″ – 200 AGE 21.

Quietly Toronto has accumulated a decent blueline. All-stars Tomas Kaberle (for the time being) and Dion Phaneuf headline the group while Francois Beauchemin and Mike Komisarek are both hoping to bounce back from off years. The latter two have proven in the past that they can be extremely reliable, big minute-eating machines, while Beauchemin has consistently been around the thirty-point mark for his career. Only Kaberle and Beauchemin are over thirty out of those big four. Throw in young players Luke Schenn and Carl Gunnarson and you have a pretty enviable defensive corps. Most of them will be in or will be entering their prime over the next few years, so if Schenn and Gunnarson develop as expected, those will be a formidable six to play against. This group doesn’t include prospects Jesse Blacker and Keith Aulie, who both project to be solid stay-at-home guys with some upside.

Playing behind that group in net will be either Jean Sebastian Giguere or Jonas Gustavsson next year, although the Leafs hope that in a few years Gustavsson will be their goalie of the future. For a rookie, ‘The Monster’ didn’t play atrociously, however he was far from excellent. His performance in the world championships (.937 save percentage and 1.79 goals against average) is encouraging though. Regardless, he has the potential to be a solid and sometimes spectacular starter in the near future.

Brian Burke has clearly built this team from the net out and he has amassed a solid base. Of course, the team’s Achilles heel still remains a general lack of scoring punch. The only man to get over twenty goals was Phil Kessel who had thirty. He has been universally maligned by pundits because of his meager point output and what was given up to acquire him, but at 22 he has already constructed two thirty goal seasons – not many players have that accomplishment under their belt. That’s what everyone forgets: his age. This guy is a young stud who will be a point per game once he figures out how to utilize his teammates better.

As far as his other teammates though, there aren’t many notables. Tyler Bozak had a very successful rookie campaign, notching twenty-seven points in thirty-seven games, while Nikolai Kulemin didn’t improve much on his rookie season, only generating five more points than 2008-2009. Once again though, these are all very young players. They might not develop as fast as Sidney Crosby or Alex Ovechkin did, but there is still a lot of room to grow. There is no reason why Bozak and Kulemin can’t crack fifty points this coming year, especially if either is playing on a line with Kessel or Versteeg.

Mikhail Grabovski had an injury-marred season but should be able to bounce back to a fifty-point level as well. He notched forty-eight in his rookie season and never seemed to get into a groove last year. Those are four players with fifty-point plus potential. Add in blue-chip prospect Nazem Kadri who has some explosiveness to his game and in a few years, should every player reach their potential, the offence will come. With a proven twenty-goal scorer in Versteeg there will be a lot of options in a few years. By that time Billy Sweatt, the other player in the Versteeg deal, might be ready to make the jump as well. If there’s one thing that defines Sweatt, it’s speed; the kid has major wheels and should be a sparkplug on the third-line when he gets to the NHL.

The recurring theme here though is ‘if they develop’. That’s the thing; all these guys can be difference makers. The question is will they be difference makers? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure: Toronto is on the right track. With a strong defensive core and some exciting young players, at the very least they will play some entertaining hockey; something that the Leafs haven’t had much of the last decade. At best, they turn some heads and finish in the ninth or tenth spot. Either way, they have the potential to be competing for a playoff spot in the coming years and that’s more then any Leafs fan can ask for at this point.