PHOTO CREDIT: The Globe and Mail | 
Looking at the Leafs today I would not predict they are going to make the playoffs in 2010-11. I think there is a chance they could be in the playoffs but until Brian Burke makes a few trades and dips into the free agent pool we should see the Leafs in the outside looking in. That being said, there is potential for a better result but it is unlikely until this roster gets some needed help on forward and in the player development department.
What about Phil Kessel? This poor guy is stuck with the curse of “how I wish you were Tyler Seguin or Taylor Hall (plus the other draft picks involved in the Bruins’ deal)”. Leaf fans have to suck it up and stomach the fact that this trade happened. While it will be very hard for this trade to finish out in favor of the Leafs it’s hard to argue the fact Kessel possesses 50-goal potential which will ease the pain of this trade.
Kessel had a very good year in 2009-10 considering his injury and lack of a playmaking center-man. Once Phil starts regularly playing with a matured and more developed Tyler Bozak or an elite #1 center – via trade – the goals will start to really pour in. Just live with the fact Kessel is a highly talented player in his early 20’s and just hope the players landing in a Bruins uniform flop harder than Patrik Stefan and that Daigle guy.
Nikolai Kulemin played like a player than can be very good, but I’m not sure he showed he could be great. I remember at one point I had great hope for Alex Ponikarovski, but that didn’t go very far. To be kind to the Leafs, developing players has not been their forte. I really do believe Kulemin has the skills to be a much better player than Ponikarovski, but it will take some hard work from Kulemin and some good coaching – if he decides to re-sign with the Leafs.
One player that I would like to see make a huge jump forward this year is Bozak. He not only showed a play-making ability seldom seen in rookie players, but he also proved he can score some flashy goals. Even if he isn’t riding shotgun on Kessel’s line he will still put up some good points because of his great skills. Not to mention a second line role would lead to match-ups against less skilled defensive pairings, which could really be beneficial.
Carl Gunnarsson is a player who I think could be a very solid third or fourth defenseman, or even a marginal second…but I just don’t see it happening with the Leafs (once again because of their track record for player development). If he stays in Toronto he might just blend in with the other mediocre defenseman we’ve had over the years such as Karel Pilar and Aki Berg – which could be a little harsh – but quite possible. On the other hand, Gunnarsson also has the upside to be a very effective player for a very long time because of his better than average offensive abilities.
Tomas Kaberle: Trade him for assets…trade him for assets….trade him for assets. And then do everything you can to develop them.
From what Jonas Gustavsson has shown, he has looked very impressive when he’s at the top of his game. In one of the more turbulent rookie seasons that I’ve seen, Gustavsson was able to put up a good record which gets me thinking he could be a very good goalie in this league for a long time.
But for the Leafs to make the playoffs Gustavsson will need to ooze greatness and steal away games from the aging playoff hero G.S. Giguere. His continuing progression at the NHL level could be a turning point for the historically inept player development department.
These are some of the key players that I think will need to step up their game if the Leafs are to develop into a contending franchise because this is potentially four of their starting six players. The two notables that were not mentioned here but who could be cornerstones in player development are Nazem Kadri and Viktor Stahlberg. These guys have potential for greatness.
For OpenIceHockey.com, I’m Kyle Raby
Topics: Carl Gunnarsson, Jonas Gustavsson, Nazem Kadri, Nikolai Kulemin, Phil Kessel, Taylor Hall, Toronto Maple Leafs, Tyler Bozak, Tyler Seguin, Viktor Stahlberg
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Kessel’s unfortunate downfall is the severity of injuries/illnesses he has sustained at such a young age and whether they will impact him in the long run. For him to really impress Leafs fans, he will have to step up his defensive play and not watch the play as it floats away from him after he turns the puck over.
Gustavsson has some critical flaws in his technique that expose the upper net. He has the size to roll around on the ice like all the other butterfly goalies but he has a nasty habit of leaning into the puck that renders his size useless. He needs to be calmer in net — more Ryan Milleresque.
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