After 10 games we're starting to get a clearer picture of what we have with the Centennial version of our Leafs team.
Here's my 10 game evaluation:
FORWARDS:
Tyler Bozak D
Not gonna give him an F because he was good early, but he doesn't deserve the A he's currently wearing and his play of late has been incredibly lacklustre. As a vet he simply has to be better.
Connor Brown B-
Cudos to him for working his way up the lineup, scoring a goal early on, doing solid work on the PK and fighting hard in the corners. But he has an extra gear and I have only seen flashes of the rookie that came up for seven games last season.
Seth Griffith C
Not much to say yet. I can see why he was grabbed of waivers and has shown some good bursts of occasional speed and a good work ethic, but he has yet to contribute anything by way of offence.
Peter Holland F
He didn't make anything of his opportunity thus far this season, was terrible on the PK and failed to convert for a single goal, despite having 11 attempts at the net and a shootout opportunity.
Zach Hyman C
He's a replacement player playing way above his head. What do you expect? Someone else deserves an opportunity with Matthews and Nylander.
Nazem Kadri A-
He's taken his role to heart this season and doing everything Babcock is asking of him for the most part and doing it well against other teams' top lines. At the 10 game mark he has 8 points and a polar opposite 23.8 SH% to his first ten games last season. But he doesn't get a solid A grade because his faceoffs have taken a dip.
Leo Komarov B-
He is being successful in the shutdown role alongside Kadri but is struggling to get anything going offensively. Uncle Leo has more to give.
Mitch Marner B+
He's gonna be a star in this league and his playmaking skills, work ethic and IQ are truly next level, but he has to get away from JVR and Bozak. They are dragging him down some.
Matt Martin C+
He's much better than Orr and McLaren combined and playing his role well. He has come as advertised and is good on the PK but has yet to impress.
Auston Matthews A-
After exploding onto the NHL scene by setting an NHL record with 4 goals in his debut, his game is quieted down as the season has progressed and is in a bit of a cold streak right now. But he's shown to be everything we'd hoped he'd be thus far. He was getting protected minutes in his four goal debut. He isn't anymore as his line now leads nightly amongst forwards in TOI.
Milan Michalek F
His NHL game died along with his alleged demands for top line minutes. Crashed and burned on Kadri's line and buried in the AHL, his NHL jersey number handed to a 4th liner.
William Nylander A+
He's a beaut on Matthews wing! He definitely had an NHL summer and he has grown his game at every level since last spring. Keep it up Willy!
Ben Smith B-
Solid on the dot and on the PK. Proving to be an upgrade on Holland thus far and has even converted for a goal of his own.
James van Reimsdyk D
His game is not even close to where it needs to be. Like Bozak he looked good early but as the season has progressed, his nightly effort hasn't been nearly up to snuff. Much higher expectations for a vet of his calibre. Shape up or ship out!
Next up... Leafs D and G
GO LEAFS GO!!!
Here's my 10 game evaluation:
FORWARDS:
Tyler Bozak D
Not gonna give him an F because he was good early, but he doesn't deserve the A he's currently wearing and his play of late has been incredibly lacklustre. As a vet he simply has to be better.
Connor Brown B-
Cudos to him for working his way up the lineup, scoring a goal early on, doing solid work on the PK and fighting hard in the corners. But he has an extra gear and I have only seen flashes of the rookie that came up for seven games last season.
Seth Griffith C
Not much to say yet. I can see why he was grabbed of waivers and has shown some good bursts of occasional speed and a good work ethic, but he has yet to contribute anything by way of offence.
Peter Holland F
He didn't make anything of his opportunity thus far this season, was terrible on the PK and failed to convert for a single goal, despite having 11 attempts at the net and a shootout opportunity.
Zach Hyman C
He's a replacement player playing way above his head. What do you expect? Someone else deserves an opportunity with Matthews and Nylander.
Nazem Kadri A-
He's taken his role to heart this season and doing everything Babcock is asking of him for the most part and doing it well against other teams' top lines. At the 10 game mark he has 8 points and a polar opposite 23.8 SH% to his first ten games last season. But he doesn't get a solid A grade because his faceoffs have taken a dip.
Leo Komarov B-
He is being successful in the shutdown role alongside Kadri but is struggling to get anything going offensively. Uncle Leo has more to give.
Mitch Marner B+
He's gonna be a star in this league and his playmaking skills, work ethic and IQ are truly next level, but he has to get away from JVR and Bozak. They are dragging him down some.
Matt Martin C+
He's much better than Orr and McLaren combined and playing his role well. He has come as advertised and is good on the PK but has yet to impress.
Auston Matthews A-
After exploding onto the NHL scene by setting an NHL record with 4 goals in his debut, his game is quieted down as the season has progressed and is in a bit of a cold streak right now. But he's shown to be everything we'd hoped he'd be thus far. He was getting protected minutes in his four goal debut. He isn't anymore as his line now leads nightly amongst forwards in TOI.
Milan Michalek F
His NHL game died along with his alleged demands for top line minutes. Crashed and burned on Kadri's line and buried in the AHL, his NHL jersey number handed to a 4th liner.
William Nylander A+
He's a beaut on Matthews wing! He definitely had an NHL summer and he has grown his game at every level since last spring. Keep it up Willy!
Ben Smith B-
Solid on the dot and on the PK. Proving to be an upgrade on Holland thus far and has even converted for a goal of his own.
James van Reimsdyk D
His game is not even close to where it needs to be. Like Bozak he looked good early but as the season has progressed, his nightly effort hasn't been nearly up to snuff. Much higher expectations for a vet of his calibre. Shape up or ship out!
Next up... Leafs D and G
GO LEAFS GO!!!
