A Look Back at 2010-2011 Toronto Maple Leafs

What a ride and a disappointment for Leaf fans... It's not necessarily a horrible season and there's hope for 2011-2012 season.

It's fun to look back and grade the players, so let's start!

Starting with Centers.

Tyler Bozak 82GP 15G 17A 32P -29 14PIM

His numbers certainly said he's not a 1st line center but when you're on a team that does not have a legitimate guy, he was fair. However, I think his value is on the 3rd line where he was good at faceoff, penalty kill and chip in when needed.

Grade: B-

Mikail Grabovski 81GP 29G 29A 58P 14 60PIM

At the beginning of the season, I thought Burke should have traded Grabovski for some picks. I guess I was wrong. What a revelation season. He was one goal short of 30. He was a threat on the ice and it was a DRASTIC change from last season. But one has to wonder what else can he bring.

Grade: A-

Tim Brent 79GP 8G 12A 20P -4 33PIM

One game says all about Tim Brent as a player: 3 block shots off Chara. His numbers are definitely not impressive but he was also the "Jack of All Trades" this season. I would love to see him return next season.

Grade: B

Darryl Boyce 46GP 5G 8A 13P 8 33PIM

He literally has the same type of game as Tim Brent on a 4th line role. He's very replaceable but I love the fact that Boyce made it to the NHL the long way. I think all Leaf fans will remember his rearranged face (yuck!).

Grade: B

Forwards:

Phil Kessel 82GP 32G 32A 64P -20 24PIM

There's a lot of holes in Kessel's game but at times, he is what he is. 3 straight season with 30 or more goals. We know what he can do but I haven't seen Keseel elevate his game or make others better around him. He has potential to be better.

Grade: B

Joffery Lupul 54GP 14G 17A 31P -11 33PIM

Coming to the Leafs in a mid-season trade for Beauchemin with Anahiem. I think Lupul may actually work for the Leafs. He had been out of hockey for a year due to surgery and infection but he seems to be picking it up. A full training camp may help Lupul return to a 20-25 goal scorer.

Grade: B

Clarke MacArthur 82GP 21G 41A 62P -3 37PIM

Burke's BEST off-season signing. For $1 million last season, he more then exceeded expectations. Now a RFA, I'm sure Burke will get it done. I'm thinking $2.4 per season in a 3 or 4 year deal. The question now is can he put up similar numbers next season?

Grade: A

Nikolai Kulemin 82GP 30G 27A 57P 7 26PIM

The quiet one. He continues to improve on last season and seems to be a great fit with Russian speaking Grabovski and hardnose MacArthur. The question is can he continue to develop into an even more dangerous player?

Grade: A

Colby Armstrong 50GP 8G 15A 23P -1 38PIM

He seems to be a Darcy Tucker type player... Love him on your team. Hate him if he's not. He was effective when he was healthy but I can't help but think he should be able to put 30-40pts when healthy.

Grade: C+

Joey Crabb 48GP 3G 12A 15P -1 24PIM

Surprise callup and played on the 1st line with Kessel and Bozak but then found a home on the 3rd line. Gotta love the "Alaskan Crabb" joke

Grade: B-

Mike Brown 50GP 3G 5A 8P 1 69PIM

He skates. He fights. What's impressive about Brown (other then his moustashe) is his speed. Great guy on the PK.

Grade: B-

Fredrik Sjostrom 66GP 2G 3A 5P -5 14PIM

He kind of got bumped off the lineup and couldn't get back in. He's another 3rd or 4th line guy with some speed and pop. But only 5pts in 66 games?

Grade: C

Colton Orr 46GP 2G 0A 2P -1 128PIM

He fights. He fights. He fights. Not much can be said other then a fighter.

Grade: C

Jay Rosehill 26GP 1G 2A 3P -6 71PIM

When Orr went down with injury, Rosehill was called up to replace him. He did a decent job in fighting other players. But doesn't present anything else.

Grade: C

Defence:

Dion Phaneuf 66GP 8G 22A 30P -2 88PIM

Freak accident near the beginning of the season. But Phaneuf certainly rounded to form near the end of the season. If Phaneuf can play the entire season like he did in the last 30 games, he will return to Norris Trophy candidate type player

Grade: C+

Luke Schenn 82GP 5G 17A 22P -7 34PIM

For the type of player Schenn is, he doesn't take dumb penalties. Led the league in hits and blocked shots. Pierre McGuire didn't call him a Human Eraser for no reason. He just needs to develop the offensive game... which on one game against Boston, he looked like Bobby Orr

Grade: A-

Carl Gunnarsson 68GP 4G 16A 20P -2 14PIM

Heir apparent to Tomas Kaberle, sorta. His numbers are quite low. He has potential upsides but not like Kaberle. Next season will tell if he can quarterback the PP.

Grade: C+

Keith Aulie 40GP 2G 0A 2P -1 32PIM

Already dubbed "Muhammed Aulie" and was a steady partner for Phaneuf. Couldn't hurt if he put in few more points but still young.

Grade: B-

Mike Komisarek 75GP 1G 9A 10P -8 86PIM

My friends already know I have no love for Komisarek. Probably the biggest signing mistake by Burke but that happens (see Finger). If he can be the steady defenceman and stop turning the puck over, I would be happy.

Grade: D-

Brett Lebda 41GP 1G 3A 4P -14 14PIM

It's quite sad he was put into this position. He was brought in to somewhat help with PP and he did not really get any chance.

Grade: D

Goaltender:

Jean-Sebastien Giguere 33GP 26GS 2.87GAA 11W 11L 4OT 0SO .900SV

His groan. He was steady when he was healthy but that damn groan kept getting in the way. If he takes a paycut and reduced role, he should stay.

Grade: C+

Jonas Gustavsson 23GP 21GS 3.29GAA 6W 13L 2OT 0SO .890SV

What a disappointing season for the Monster. Supposedly the guy of the future. Maybe it was sophomore jinks. He was very weak and then his heart decided to act up again.

Grade: D

James Reimer 37GP 35GS 2.60GAA 20W 10L 5OT 3SO .921SV

Where did he come from? I knew he was playing in the ECHL and had been up and down between ECHL and AHL. And out of nowhere he comes and almost single handedly took the Leafs into the playoffs. The question is is he for real?

Grade: A

Ungraded players:

Nazem Kadri 29GP 3G 9A 12P -3 8PIM

There just isn't enough to grade Kadri yet. We know he has the skills but which role suits him? If Kadri can get stronger in the off season, he might fit quite well with Kessel.

Francois Beauchemin

For what it was worth, he was steady defenceman that just didn't work out.

Kris Versteeg

To hear he didn't want to be here... I just don't have any love for you now.

Tomas Kaberle

Will always love his coolness when handling the puck. Second all-time scoring for Leafs defenceman. I wonder if he'll come back...


Players with less then 10 games

Korbanian Holzer, Marcel Mueller, Matt Frattin, Joe Colbourne, Luca Caputi, Matt Lashoff, Christian Hanson

Of this list... Frattin looked like he's ready for NHL in the game against Montreal but may need some time in AHL.

There are reasons to be excited for 2011-2012 season. The Leafs WILL BE in the playoffs and will finish as high as 4th. You read that here first!