The Leafs finished their 2009/10 season with a victory over the Habs on April 10/10 and after taking a few weeks to asses the Leafs season. I am now taking a look at how each player performed in a Leafs uniform this season, this will include players that were traded to and from the team and have played in a minimum of 25 games for players and 15 games for goalies.
The grades will go from A+ the highest and F the lowest.
Goalies
Jonas Gustavsson- C
His play improved after Leafs acquired Giguere and stole a few wins for the team down the stretch.
J.S. Giguere- C+
Giguere came over in trade with Ducks and shutout teams back to back in his first two starts a first in Leafs history but his key is work ethic that seems to have rubbed off on the Monster.
Vesa Toskala- F
Toskala could not seem to do anything right in his short stay in Toronto. His GAA was a terrible 3.66 when traded and the club did not have confidence when he was between the pipes.
Defense
Tomas Kaberle- C+
Kaberle's play tailed off after Olympics but he still finished in Top 10 in defensive scoring, all the trade talk seemed to take its toll on the veteran.
Dion Phaneuf- C-
Phaneuf did not seem to take to the Leafs system right away but his play did come around in the last few games when he scored both of his goals.
Luke Schenn- D+
The sophmore took a big step back in his second season, looked to be a step behind just about all season long, play improved slightly after Leafs acquired Phaneuf.
Francois Beauchemin- C-
Beauchemin started his Leafs career horribly as he tried too hard. His leadership became important as Leafs team became younger.
Carl Gunnarsson- B
Gunnarsson at times was the best defensemen in the lineup, the kid will be counted on to continue his growth next season.
Garnet Exelby- D-
Exelby requested a trade but did not get his wish, played an average of 10 minutes a game for some fans that was ten minutes too much.
Jeff Finger- F
Finger played in less then 40 games and seemed out of place when the Leafs inserted him into the lineup.
Mike Komisarek- C-
Komisarek like Beauchemin tried to do to much at the start of the year, his play was returning to form until he was sidelined for the season with a shoulder injury
Ian White- C+
White's play evolved under Wilson and played well for the blue and white untill he was included as part of the Phaneuf deal.
Forwards
Phil Kessel- B+
Kessel was under some heat for the price Burke paid to obtain him but scored 30 goals in 70 games played. Kessel's nose for the net is something team will need as it grows.
John Mitchell- D+
Mitchell got injured and did not seem to get on track, he did not perform as well as his first season and will need to work harder to stick around with the team.
Nikolai Kulemin- B
Kulemin's play improved as the season wore on and Leaf fans have something to look forward too as the kid grows into a Top 6 forward role.
Mikhail Grabovski- D+
Grabovski was too invisible for my liking, showed up in bursts and when biggest news of season is froma fight at a bar during the Olympics, says alot.
Tyler Bozak- B-
Bozak's play was good and he seemed to click with Kessel, Bozak lead all rookies in points per game in his short 37 game season.
Viktor Stalberg- C
Stalberg came off a great preseason and was hurt three games in, this stalled the rookie but Stalberg's speed is scary for defenders.
Rikard Wallin- D-
Wallin did his job blocking shots on the penalty kill which improved with the Sjostrom acquisition but the former Swedish scoring leader was expected to produce more.
Wayne Primeau- D+
Primeau did what was expected and did bring his game up a level when given more minutes but his role can easily be replaced by younger legs.
Colton Orr- B
Orr did what was expected and protected his teammates, Orr doubled his career goals mark with from 4 to 8.
Christian Hanson- D+
Hanson waited until the last game of the year to make a big mark, that took just 30 games, will need to be more consistent.
Alexei Ponikarovsky- C+
Poni was one goal shy of the 20 goal mark when he was sent to the Pens, he was well on his way to scoring 20 goals again for the team
Nik Hagman- C
Hagman scored 20 goals for the club before traded and showed flashes of brilliance before disappearing for long periods of time.
Matt Stajan- C
Stajan got his points centering Kessel before traded, he is not a top line center and his inclusion in the Phaneuf trade was no major loss.
Lee Stempniak- C-
Stempniak had the third most ice time of Leafs forwards when traded and was a disappointment overall for team. We all know what happened in Phoenix.
Jason Blake- D
Blake was a hard working Leaf but that big contract was like an anchor around his neck, how Burke got Anaheim to take the contract is a mystery.
Jamal Mayers- D-
Mayers was a great faceoff man and stuck up for his teammates but his best years were left in St Louis. A throw in as part of the Phaneuf package.
No Grade- Sjostrom, Caputi, Lundmark, Rosehill, Brent, Kadri, Deveaux, Tlusty
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