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Other Leaf Favourites
Summary of some of the other talented players on this leaf roster, some of personal favourites.
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Alexander Mogilny and Mats Sundin -- Deadly Duo
In Almo, the leafs acquired one of the best snipers, if not THE best in the league. Known for his creativity on the rush and pin point accuracy (passing and shooting), the Sundin-Mogilny tandem has been given high-praise by analysts, players, and coaches around the league. If Mogilny wants to score, he will score but often he lacks the motivation.
"Alexander Mogilny can be as good as he wants to be." -- John Muckler, former coach on Alex Mogilny
Mats is amazing. Our captain, our leader. The big swede has been heralded for his leadership skills, his soft hands (tricky wrist shot and a dangerous backhand) and his ability to come through in the clutch (third period and overtime heroics). He has been named an All-Star 9 times and respresented Sweden twice at the Olympics. One of his most significant qualities: when he talks everyone listens. In 2002 he captained three different teams: The World All-Stars, Team Sweden, and The Leafs. Leaf fans are hoping he will lead their beloved leafs to the promise land for the first time since 1967.
"If I'm going through a hard part of my life, I just think about the fact I am living a dream. Alot of people aren't as fortunate to have their hobby-the thing they love to do most-as their job. I just think about that and I feel better." -- Mats Sundin |
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Owen Nolan and Darcy Tucker -- Grit and Power
Aquired in 2003 at the trade deadline, Owen Nolan gives new meaning to the term 'power house.' Not only can he hit, but he can score as well. He's also a great defensive forward who is willing tosacrifice his body to block a shot, no matter how painful the circumstance. Has played in the All-Star game 5 times and helped Team Canada, along with Joe Nieuwendyk and Eddie Belfour, win gold at the Olympics in 2002 for the first time in 50 years.
"He's certainly a great hockey player and he's going to bring a lot of skill and talent and grit and toughness to our team. He's definitely going to be a good addition for sure." -- Mats Sundin on Owen Nolan
A Very intense hockey player who loves the game. Tucker plays with grit and determination. Just recently did he prove that he's not only physically capable but also offensively. In 2001-2002 he proved he could also be defensively capable, as he led the team in +/- and finished with an outstanding +24. Darcy Tucker plays a huge role as the teams emotional boost, and with a single hit, the leafs are right back in it.
"Because of my size, I'm not the most talented player, I'm a good passer but I'm not a great skater, and I don't have a hard shot. But I do all the little things well." -- Darcy Tucker
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Matt Stajan and Nik Antropov -- Centres of Attention
At 20 years young, Matt already has more accolades beside his name than most current players. He has also represented Canada at the World Juniors in 2003 and was named to the young All-Stars team in 2004. The rookie definetly has impressed, finding himself right up there with with rookies of the likes of Michael Ryder (Montreal ) and Trent Hunter (Islanders). He is a definsively sound center who smartly knows when to pass or shoot, and boy can he shoot it. He has been a pleasant surprise for the leafs.
"We keep playing him to get him more experience and you keep thinking his level of play will drop off but it really hasn't. I don't know if there's a spot for this young man with all the contracts we have here already. But he's done very well." -- Pat Quinn on Matt Stajan A nagging knee injury has bothered him for the first few years of his career, but arthroscopic knee surgery put a stop to that. Nik Antropov Has proved to this organization that a little hard work (and surgery) can go a long way. Upon returning from knee-rehab, Antropov finds himself playing on the "Sky Line" with Nieuwendyk and Ponikarovsky. The tall Khazakstan uses his size to his advantage in scoring, fore checking, defending, and of course - fighting.
"We were happy with the progress he's been making this year. He was slowly becoming a pretty good player. With his size and also his playmaking ability, he looked like a wonderful fit." -- Pat Quinn on Nik Antropov |
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Eddie Belfour--
Experienced and Competitve
For the first time in his NHL career, Eddie is playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs. It has been a boy-hood dream to play for Toronto and now it's a reality. Comming into this hockey-mad city, and replacing the ever-so popular cujo, is not an easy task. In his first season with the leafs, he proved the critics wrong and made a strong bid for the Vezina Trophy. He was, no doubt, the leafs MVP. He brings great veteran leadership and the leafs haven't had a better clutch goalie since the golden days.
"I'm a very competitive person and I like to prove people wrong, I was just born that way. I don't know why, I just can't accept losing." -- Ed Belfour
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Joe Nieuwendyk - No Ordinary Joe
If two years ago you told me that Eddie Belfour, Owen Nolan, and Joe Nieuwendyk were all going to play for the Maple Leafs, I would have laughed in your face. But yes, ladies and gentlemen, this ain't no dream. Initially Joe was summoned to replace Travis Green in the face off circle but has definetly done a heck of a lot more. The smooth skating, swift passing and hard shooting centerman in his first year has proved his capability both offensively and defensively. The tandem of Gary Roberts and Joe Niewendyk has finally been reuinted after all those years.
"It's great to have Joe aboard, he's a character player, a great leader in the locker-room... He plays every game like it's his last." -- Eddie Belfour on Joe Nieuwendyk |
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Tie Domi and Tom Fitzgerald -- Unheralded Heroes
The veteran Tom Fitzgerald has been through thick and thin, and it shows. The Boston native has often been mistaken for a good Canadian boy who is excellent on the penalty kill. Although he isn't the most offensively talented forward in the league, definetly among some of the best defensive.
"I'm at the stage of my career where I can be a piece - not a catalyst, I think I'm going to fit in well in that dressing room." -- Tom Fitzgerald
You know Tie, Always willing to risk some time in the box to stick up for his teammates. In 2002, he enjoyed a career year, and it wasn't in the penalty box. Tie had a career high in goals and points and stepped aside as Wade Belak took the role as PIM leader. A definite leader who knows when to put on his tough cap and when to draw the line.
"Tie Domi is the best tough-guy player in this league. He can score goals, he can make plays and defensively he is very reliable. Plus, he knows his role." -- Atlanta Thrashers Coach Bob Hartley on Tie Domi
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Brian Leetch and Tomas Kaberle -- Two Way Defencemen
Words cannot express the sheer talent the leafs got when they aquired Brian Leetch. Leaf fans were given a taste of things to come when he impressed both offensively and defensively in his Maple Leaf debut, finishing the night with 3 A and a +1. Brian is a 10 time all-star, has won the Calder, Conn Smythe, Norris, and the sweetest of all, The Stanley Cup in 1994 with the New York Rangers. Leaf fans are hoping that this star-studded veteran and definite future hall of famer is the final piece of the puzzle.
"Brian is a premier defenceman in this league... He continues to be amongst the top players in the league in ice time, he's among the top group of defencemen in points, and he continues to play at a high, high level - a level that few others are at or hope to be at" -- John Ferguson Jr. on Brian Leetch
Definetly one of the premier young defencemen in the league. Tomas is a real smart player who rarely coughs up the puck and when he does, you usally see him cover it up nicely. The late draft pick has proven to be more than he was initially thought to be worth. Not only is he defensively sound, like Leetch, but the two both have soft hands and are capable of starting a rush, making the pass, or going in on their own, which has often led to a goal.
"He brings a lot of offensive ability to this team. Our power play will be better and he's a young talented defencemen who's been around for three years. He will make us better." -- Dmitry Yuskevich on Tomas Kaberle
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