Question Period - Leafs Edition
Submitted by Ron Guillet on Wed, 12/02/2009 - 11:54
**Inspired by Eric Engels' question blogs**
After a night of burning Montreal Canadiens jerseys in celebration of the Toronto Maple Leafs' 3-0 victory, here's a list of questions for you all to answer.
1) Jonas Gustavsson, who turned away eight shots in the first period en route to a combined shutout with Joey Macdonald, appears to be OK after experiencing an elevated heart level last night. Do you think he will play against the Columbus Blue Jackets, or has Macdonald's play warranted a start on Thursday?
2) Matt Stajan has 10 points in his last 10 games played. However, the majority of Leafs Nation are not impressed with his overall game and feel he's the beneficiary of a talented linemate (Phil Kessel). Do you think Brian Burke should trade Stajan before he's an unrestricted free agent this summer?
3) What are your thoughts on Christian Hanson thus far? Does he deserve a spot on this team?
4) Jason Blake (two goals) and Lee Stempniak (11 points) continue to struggle. Is it time Burke puts his foot down, or should he ride it out considering the Leafs have been improving of late?
5) The Leafs are now seven points back of a playoff spot. Do you think it's realistic to be back in the race for eight place before Christmas?
6) How much has Mike Komisarek improved?
7) On a related note, should the Leafs appoint a new team captain soon? Would would you pick between Komisarek, Tomas Kaberle and Francois Beauchemin?
8 ) What do the Leafs have to do to improve the powerplay, which went from being ranked first to 10th in a matter of weeks?
9) On a scale of 1 to 10, how epic was it to see the Habs get shutout in their own arena?
10) On the same scale, how badass is Colton Orr? Not only did he score the game-winning goal, folks, but he's sporting a porn 'stache. Yeah... enough said.
ronguillet@gmail.com
Wed, 12/02/2009 - 13:45
2) Trade him, the way he's producing you can definitely get a decent return for Stajan.
3) No idea
4) Stempniak doesn't strike me as that bad. Blake is so bad though. They just have to ride out his contract at this point.
5) lol
6) Minusarek still sucks
7) IMO there's no reason for them to rush it, but Komisarek seems like the logical choice (all hating aside)
8 ) Can't comment on this one either.
9) Shut up Ron
10) Colton Orr can eat my ass
Wed, 12/02/2009 - 16:34
2) I think if the right offer comes along then yes, but it depends where we sit at that point. You can't exactly tank the season. I think Stajan is disliked because he has somewhat of an obnoxious attitude. He's a good player, but he's a not a first line center, and there will be no room for him to be a second line center on next year's roster. But I can't see anything more than a 2nd round pick for Stajan, regardless of how many points he puts up.
3) Hanson hasn't wowed, he hasn't done anything to warrant staying, but he hasn't done anything to warrant being sent down, he's a floater like the other 6 9 forwards that do exactly the same thing.
4) What do you do? There's no going back if you send them down. Let them ride it out until January at least.
5) it depends, if they win some and bundle their losses in OT then yeah, but this next week and a half is crucial. These 13 games in 22 nights could put them back in the hunt, but it could also put them out for good.
6) Minuscule improvement. (That was for Prax)
7) Kaberle or no one. I say wait it out another season, or if the Leafs do some how manage to make the playoffs, appoint one then.
8. It's called coming back down to Earth.
9) 9.08 (Komisarek scoring would have put it at an 11)
10) very badass