What is wrong with Kris Versteeg?
Sorry for the late start today.
As I mentioned in the comments yesterday, I'm buried under an avalanche of non-Leafs work. The Star is trying to kill me – kill me! We need a column! Type, type, type. We need a feature! Type, type, type. We need another column! Type, type, type.
Hurry up, boy, type faster!
So today I need to apologize for a second time. And I also need to borrow a stamp from someone because this post is getting mailed in.
The big news today, apparently, is Kris Versteeg.
* As in, he is on a learning curve.
* As in, he is in a slump.
* As in, he is snake-bitten.
Versteeg has 1 assist and 1 goal in five games. And that goal came after he accidentally deflected Tomas Kaberle's point shot during a two-man advantage against Ottawa. So in a way, he has no goals.
Here are five sleep-deprived questions for you to answer, please and thank you:
1. Is something wrong with Versteeg?
2. Why isn't he shooting more?
3. Is he trying too hard to set-up Phil Kessel?
4. Would he be more productive on a different line?
5. Is he getting played in the right situations?
Type, type, type...
PHOTO: PAUL HUNTER/TORONTO STAR
1. No like he said he is getting the chance. He is doing a lot of good things away from the puck and his speed creates chances for other leafs on the ice.
2. A lot of his shots seem to be taken when he should be passing, maybe some of those times he passes should be when he takes shots, pull the old switcharoo to borrow a line from George Castanza.
3. If he is its working. Granted he doesnt have the assists to show for it. With 5 goals in as many games I would be looking to dish it to Kessel every quality chance I got
4. By default I don't think so. He is a top three guy on the leafs and I wouldnt move him right now off the first line. Maybe if Macarthur keeps up the good work and has the touch I would promote him in Versteeg's place.
5. I think so. On paper he is one of our best so give him the minutes. His speed will eventually show up in the stats.
Posted by: Peter | 10/20/2010 at 03:45 PM
Not worried about Versteeg at all. Still hoping for an 80 point season from him. He'll start producing soon enough, and does a lot of little things that do not go noticed.
Posted by: Pyramid Power | 10/20/2010 at 06:41 PM
Agree with Peter on all points. It's still too early to start making line changes just to spark the offense of one player when the whole team is clicking. PP, 80 points? That would be awesome, but I think something more reasonable like 60 would be fantastic.
Cheers
GO LEAFS GO!!!
Posted by: We BeLeaf | 10/21/2010 at 08:37 AM
He's a streaky player - he always has been. He'll catch fire sooner or later... but 80 points Pyramid Power? I don't see that happening. Versteeg should give the Leafs 20-30 goals and 45-60 points - that's reasonable to expect.
As an aside, I'd add that while Versteeg is a solid contributor and a good player, he's another example of Brian Burke's habit of overpaying for middling talent. I like Colby Armstrong, Versteeg, Mike Komisarek, and Francois Beauchemin, but none of them are worth what the Leafs are paying them. And Colton Orr at over a million a season? Ridiculous.
Posted by: Geoff Read | 10/21/2010 at 09:42 AM
The real problem with Versteeg is Kadri- these two should be playing together on the Marlies! Go Habs Go!
Posted by: Real Deal McSteal | 10/21/2010 at 11:50 AM
The audacity of hope We BeLeaf and Geoff. Hoping for 80 points from Versteeg, expecting less.
I would say Orr is a bargain at $1 mill a year especially when compared to Boogaard and other enforcers around the league. He does his job and has scored the same number of goals as Versteeg this year. But, yes, BB does have a habit of overpaying many of his players. Just not Orr imo.
Posted by: Pyramid Power | 10/21/2010 at 12:44 PM
You see, I think that the day of the enforcer has come and gone. About half the teams in the league already don't have a pugilist on their rosters - Orr, Boogard - these guys are a dying breed. I'm no pacifist - I enjoy a hockey fight once in a while - but I've always thought it was pretty weird to have guys on the roster who didn't really belong in the league but got there by beating the **** out of people. As for Orr... if you want an enforcer, I'm willing to bet there are dozens of guys in the minors who are willing to play that role for 1/4 of what Orr makes.
Posted by: Geoff Read | 10/21/2010 at 01:43 PM
The Toronto Maple Leaf organization has done nothing in 45 years. This coming season will be no different.
They are a disgrace to the fans.
Posted by: DAVID PURVIS | 11/03/2010 at 08:27 PM