As much as Brian Burke has talked about "getting better now" rather than improving slowly though the draft, the Leafs still need time. They are not going to seriously challenge this coming year, with Marc Savard or without him. And if you look at a shortened two to three year window, it's clear that Savard will only hinder the Leafs, not improve their chances. Here's why.
Savard has peaked. He's not getting any better. If anything, he's about to begin the long journey of diminishing points, increasing frailty, and a huge burden on a team's cap space. But he'll continue to demand minutes—big minutes—that should be going to the likes of Tyler Bozak and Nazem Kadri.
And that's point two. Bozak and Kadri have to be given huge amounts of ice time to develop their NHL game.
Bozak was showing huge potential by the end of last year. Kadri may follow the same trajectory. But the only way to find out is to let them play. And play. And play. Savard will only limit their ice time and slow down that progress. Bozak and Kadri are not bottom six centres and playing them there will be disastrous for their potential.
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Article written by Mark Makuch
Toronto Maple Leafs: Savard? We Don’t Need No Stinkin’ Savard
June 29th, 2010 by Mark Makuch Leave a reply »
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