Sunday, June 30, 2013

JERSEY FITS WELL FOR LEAFS

Brendan McDermid/Reuters

Justin Smith
Editor

NEWARK, N.J - After a busy week that saw a trade for Stanley Cup winner Johnathan Bernier, and rumours  flying around more than James Reimer saw rubber last season; It became apparent that Maple Leafs General Manager, Dave Nonis, was going to have his work cut out for him at the draft in New Jersey.

       Having hands in apparently every aspect of this draft from trading to free agents, the Leafs ultimately decided to make their pick at 21. First line centre of the Rimouski Oceanic of the QMJHL, Fredrick Gauthier is a hulking two way forward that plays a style of hockey akin to the likes of Jordan Stall of the Carolina Hurricanes. At 6'5, 215 pounds, Gauthier addresses a concern this organization has had for nearly a decade: size at the centre-ice position. At the age of 18 he just completed his first season with the Oceanic scoring 22 goals and 38 points in 62 games played. He was set to attend Harvard University, but was given some critical advice to play for Rimouski from a slightly famous former Oceanic player in Sidney Crosby. If you ask him what his biggest flaw is, he would be the first person to admit that his offensive game needs a little work. After the selection made, Nonis indicated in an interview with TSN that Gauthier is not going to be rushed and will be given proper time to develop.
      After completing the first round Toronto made their second trade in the last week acquiring Dave Bolland from the Stanley Cup Champion  Chicago Blackhawks. Bolland scored the goal that sealed the 3-2 Cup win last Monday in Boston. He brings a winning attitude and gritty work ethic to a young team that likely could have used it during their collapse in the first round of the 2013 playoffs. He will remind Leaf fans of a fellow member of the blue and white in Jay McClement. A defensively responsible forward that plays tough, something Randy Carlyle has come to covet in any potential player.

LEAFS DRAFT RUNDOWN


Round 2 - 51st Overall
                 N/A (Bolland trade)


Round 3 - 82nd Overall


















Centre - Carter Verhaeghe
Niagara Icedogs - OHL
GP 67 -- G18 -- A 26 -- 44 Points
Height 6.01 -- Weight 181
Waterdown, Ontario.


Round 4 - 117th
                 N/A (Bolland trade)


Round 5 - 142nd

www.evz.ch/de/tournaments/1/games/51













Right Wing - Fabrice Herzog
Zug - Swiss-A
GP 20 -- G 2 -- A 2 -- 4 Points
Height 6.01 -- Weight 176
Switzerland


Round 6 - 172nd

Ingrid Bulmer/Herald Sports













Goaltender - Antoine Bibeau
Prince Edward Island Rocket - QMJHL
GP 46 -- (28 W - 11 L - 3 T)
GAA 2.81 -- SVP .911
Height 6.02 -- Weight 210
Victoriaville, Quebec.


Round 7 - 202nd

www.nyhetspressen.se













Right Wing - Andreas Johnson
Vastra Frolunda HC-SEL
GP 7 -- G 1 -- A 0
Gavle, Sweden
Height 5.09 -- Weight 158

Nonis now sets his sights on Free Agency, which begins this coming Friday, to finish what he started in New Jersey at the draft. What will he do with pending free agents like Clark MacArthur or Tyler Bozak? With more potential buyouts likely coming league wide it is safe to assume that this could be the most active we've seen a Leafs General Manager in a long time. Then again, we may see no significant moves as Nonis tends to be patient. The question I will be asking-

Is it to a fault?
               
             

             

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