Burke never knows when to leave well enough alone. Says Leafs have a good shot at playoffs and their defense is as good as any team in the Eastern Conference.

http://www.torontosun.com...urke-talking-playoff-spot

So??? What is he to leave alone?? He's asked a question, and he answered. He hasn't said anything outrageous. Is he supposed to say he doesn't think they can make it?

So??? What is he to leave alone?? He's asked a question, and he answered. He hasn't said anything outrageous. Is he supposed to say he doesn't think they can make it?
- burn

I'm okay with the playoff statement in itself. I found it a bit of an overreach to say the Leafs defense fits was as good as any in the East. It was news to see that Kadri has been penciled in as a third line winger, but can be challenged by other prospects.

I'm okay with the playoff statement in itself. I found it a bit of an overreach to say the Leafs defense fits was as good as any in the East. It was news to see that Kadri has been penciled in as a third line winger, but can be challenged by other prospects.
- spatso

It's pretty good.... who's better?? Not very much.

It's pretty good.... who's better?? Not very much.
- burn

As you know I am inclined to always look at the lead dog. Teams tend to be as good as their best players. So, I think when you look at the top 2 or 3 Dmen for the Leafs they do not have a really high end #1 that puts them in the same range as the top teams. They do not have a Chara or a Pronger or a Letang. On the development end they do not have a kid with the potential of a Tyler Myers or a Carlson or a Karllson or a Subban. I think Schenn is a superb #2 but you cannot be a one of the best if don't have a #1.

I don't mean to imply that Myers, Carlson, Karllson or Subban are in the same class as Chara, Pronger or Letang. It only points to the need for teams to develop this kind player (although Myers is getting very close to being a dominant #1).

Burke never knows when to leave well enough alone. Says Leafs have a good shot at playoffs and their defense is as good as any team in the Eastern Conference.

http://www.torontosun.com...urke-talking-playoff-spot
- spatso

Is he suppose to say they suck and can't make the playoffs?

I'm okay with the playoff statement in itself. I found it a bit of an overreach to say the Leafs defense fits was as good as any in the East. It was news to see that Kadri has been penciled in as a third line winger, but can be challenged by other prospects.
- spatso

On paper, the Leafs defense looks very good.

So??? What is he to leave alone?? He's asked a question, and he answered. He hasn't said anything outrageous. Is he supposed to say he doesn't think they can make it?
- burn

He made the same claim a couple years ago. Didn't work out so well. Just sayin.

On paper, the Leafs defense looks very good.
- RogerRoeper

same with the last 7 years

but nah i like our make up on d this year
schenn and aluie young developing shutdown guys. Hell maybe the real komisarek will make an appearance
phaneuf and franson (2nd pp) can be the gritty offensive guys, liles the puck mover
gunnersson is a nice two way guy, doesnt stand out at one thing but not terrible at anything

the leafs could and probably should dress 7 d this year

Burke never knows when to leave well enough alone. Says Leafs have a good shot at playoffs and their defense is as good as any team in the Eastern Conference.

http://www.torontosun.com...urke-talking-playoff-spot
- spatso

Yeah, we get it, you hate the Leafs, they do no right, the Sens are the greatest, they do no wrong....

Enough already.

same with the last 7 years

but nah i like our make up on d this year
schenn and aluie young developing shutdown guys. Hell maybe the real komisarek will make an appearance
phaneuf and franson (2nd pp) can be the gritty offensive guys, liles the puck mover
gunnersson is a nice two way guy, doesnt stand out at one thing but not terrible at anything

the leafs could and probably should dress 7 d this year
- nightmare3020

I agree the last two years many have said the same thing, but the fact is, it's a different D this season, and they do look real good "On Paper".

Franson will be the #5 guy? That's depth.

As you know I am inclined to always look at the lead dog. Teams tend to be as good as their best players. So, I think when you look at the top 2 or 3 Dmen for the Leafs they do not have a really high end #1 that puts them in the same range as the top teams. They do not have a Chara or a Pronger or a Letang. On the development end they do not have a kid with the potential of a Tyler Myers or a Carlson or a Karllson or a Subban. I think Schenn is a superb #2 but you cannot be a one of the best if don't have a #1.

I don't mean to imply that Myers, Carlson, Karllson or Subban are in the same class as Chara, Pronger or Letang. It only points to the need for teams to develop this kind player (although Myers is getting very close to being a dominant #1).
- spatso

Dion Phaneuf has palyed in the past like a star defenseman, and played like a true #1 guy in the second half of last season.

i dont think we can # our d

phaneuf is clearly #1 but then.... liles, franson, and gunnerson will be played more when we need a goal

schenn aluie, komisarek? will be played when we are winning

if 6 are dressed we could see everyone coming in right around 18-20 mins a night

I don't think he's wrong. They could make the playoffs, he didn't say they are a lock for the playoffs or to expect a Cup this year, just that he thinks they can make the playoffs. Hell they were in the mix last year despite having a few atrocious months, if they even played mediocre in those months instead of so awful they would have made the playoffs.

As for the defense thing: On paper they probably are one of the better ones in the East...but that's on paper. On the ice is a different story so it'll be interesting to see how they work together, chemistry wise and if Komi rebounds and stuff like that. They could easily play like a top 5 defense in the East or possibly a bottom 5 defense in the East or end up completely average. But on paper I would say they would be somewhere in the top 5 in the East.

Yeah, we get it, you hate the Leafs, they do no right, the Sens are the greatest, they do no wrong....

Enough already.
- prock

Love the Leafs, don't like Burke.

they "can" but the center position continues to be a big problem relying on some small injury prone players is very risky.

also Wilson holds this team back.

they "can" but the center position continues to be a big problem relying on some small injury prone players is very risky.

also Wilson holds this team back.
- FirstClass

i think wilson is a major part of the problem. it came out with kessel last year and don't doubt it happens with others as well. He and Reimer would be my concerns for the leafs going into the season. their d and forwards are pretty decent on paper. not spectacular talent wise, but pretty deep in both positions.

On paper, the Leafs defense looks very good.
- RogerRoeper

Is Franson and Liles better than Kaberle and Beauchemin?

Is Franson and Liles better than Kaberle and Beauchemin?
- jordan456789

Yes.

As you know I am inclined to always look at the lead dog. Teams tend to be as good as their best players. So, I think when you look at the top 2 or 3 Dmen for the Leafs they do not have a really high end #1 that puts them in the same range as the top teams. They do not have a Chara or a Pronger or a Letang. On the development end they do not have a kid with the potential of a Tyler Myers or a Carlson or a Karllson or a Subban. I think Schenn is a superb #2 but you cannot be a one of the best if don't have a #1.

I don't mean to imply that Myers, Carlson, Karllson or Subban are in the same class as Chara, Pronger or Letang. It only points to the need for teams to develop this kind player (although Myers is getting very close to being a dominant #1).
- spatso

And in the same token, the Leafs 2 to 6 is easily as good or better than those you mentioned.

Burke never knows when to leave well enough alone. Says Leafs have a good shot at playoffs and their defense is as good as any team in the Eastern Conference.

http://www.torontosun.com...urke-talking-playoff-spot
- spatso

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Is Franson and Liles better than Kaberle and Beauchemin?
- jordan456789

Not much difference really.

Franson is being overrated in Toronto already.

Not much difference really.

Franson is being overrated in Toronto already.
- daeth

he put up points, but from what i heard he is extremely soft for a guy with a 6'5" frame. He gets a huge boost from being in the toronto market and a former wjc player.

Not much difference really.

Franson is being overrated in Toronto already.
- daeth

By who? How?

On paper, the Leafs defense looks very good.
- RogerRoeper

If one were to review the defensive stats (of the leafs) for every season since the lockout, you would notice that key areas of the defense is rated last or near the bottom of the league, each and every season.

for example the PK has been pretty bad, and Wilson has not improved it over the years, and yet he'll probably have his contract by his buddy BB, sometime before Christmas, so that he's not a "lame Duck coach" at the end of the season.