Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site watarts.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!watarts!clauzon From: clauzon@watarts.UUCP (Cecilia Lauzon) Newsgroups: net.sport.hockey Subject: Re: The Leafs, a poor excuse for a professional hockey team Message-ID: <8193@watarts.UUCP> Date: Thu, 3-Jan-85 12:06:59 EST Article-I.D.: watarts.8193 Posted: Thu Jan 3 12:06:59 1985 Date-Received: Thu, 3-Jan-85 23:48:15 EST References: <180@bgsuvax.UUCP> Organization: U of Waterloo, Ontario Lines: 40> The entire Leaf team, with the exception of Vaive and Frycer, seems to be a > team of mediocre players. What the Leafs need to do is trade 3 or 4 of their > average players for one good player on some other team. Perhaps they could > trade someone to another team with a great need for forwards or > defensemen or whatever. The Leafs also have 4 goalies with NHL experience, > so perhaps they could throw in a netminder in this sort of deal. For my opinion on this, see Jeff Richardson's article rebutting this. I totally agree with Jeff. > Certain persons on the net were discussing the Leaf's "great" (?) young > defensemen. Personally, I don't believe that either Gary Nylund nor Al > Iafrate is any good. > Nylund is a goon and Iafrate is blatantly average. On every level of profes- > sional hockey that Nylund has played on, he has done nothing but draw > penalties. Iafrate, although touted as a great offensive defenseman on > Hockey Night in Canada, has never been a great scoring machine. HAS NEVER BEEN?!?!?!?!?!? Come on, give the guy a chance! Can you tell me *why* you would expect Iafrate to be more than "average" when compared to players who have years of experience behind them after he's played LESS THAN HALF A SEASON?!? I'd just LOVE it if you were the GM or coach of the Black Hawks. You might even trade some of your mid-season disappointments (hey, wanna give up Jeff Larmer?) to the Leafs for '3 or 4 of their average players'. As for Gary Nylund, let him develop in peace, please. He was sent into a pressure cooker by Leaf management and really still hasn't recovered yet. He has developed into one of the hardest hitters in the league, though. Give him a chance. I still stand by my opinion on his development as expressed in my discussions with Jeff. > The Leaf's problem is their defense. Any team which is giving > up close to 5 goals a game is in serious trouble. The Leafs should trade > away these players (particularly Iafrate and Nylund) who are perceived > to be great defensemen but who are really only journeymen wallowing in > mediocrity. ARGH! Can you say 'experience'? That's funny, I thought you could. :-)