mmamolo 287 Report post Posted September 30, 2009 I live in Toronto so I've seen a lot of media coverage about Gustavsson. On sportscentre they said that Ron Wilson plans on starting him for 35 games this season and depending on how Toskala plays that number could go up. I think something to keep in mind is that Toronto's defense has really improved. The teams overall goals against should be solid and that will only help Gustavsson look good. Personally, I think GUstavsson will have a very good year and will steal the overall number 1 job in Toronto. But he wont completely dominate like a lot of ppl think. He one day will be dominant but he is only a rookie. Look at Steve Mason last year in COlumbus. He had a great year but you can only do so much. They both have a lot of room to grow. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SweWings 45 Report post Posted September 30, 2009 For some reason I see his first year mirroring Lundqvist's first year... Probably less starts though... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tingnoel 4 Report post Posted October 1, 2009 His stats are kind of ridiculous, and I can definitely see him winning the starting job in TO if Toskala slips even a little. But I'm not going to lie, he kind of looks like a heroin addict... http://blackchristiannews.com/news/28503.jpg Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tingnoel 4 Report post Posted October 1, 2009 His stats are kind of ridiculous, and I can definitely see him winning the starting job in TO if Toskala slips even a little. But I'm not going to lie, he kind of looks like a heroin addict... http://blackchristiannews.com/news/28503.jpg Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mjlegend 155 Report post Posted October 1, 2009 How many games do they play in the SEL? What sized rinks do they use? How is the pace and physicality of the game different? Every goalie who comes over should plan for an adjustment period. EDIT: I'm not down on this kid-- I'd much rather him than Howard as our back-up because Gustavsson is at least an exciting unknown and neither would be trusted by Holland when it matters anyway . I just advise more tempered enthusiasm. You and I both know that's just not possible. Leafland now: OMG OMG!!!! HE'S GONNA WIN FIVE CUPS AND FOUR HARTS AND SEVEN VEZINAS IN A ROW AND HES A LEAF4LIFE, BABY!!! I'M GETTING HIS FACE TATTOOED ON MY ASS!!! OMG OMG!!! KICK SAVE AND ABEAUTY!!!!111 Leafland in three years: TRADE THE BUM!!! WHY DID BURKE GIVE HIM THE NTC WHEN HE SIGNED THAT 12 YEAR CONTRACT IN 2010??? WE'RE DOOOOOOOOOOMED!!!! Even if he is Henrik Lundqvist, he's still got a mediocre offence in front of him until Kessel gets healthy in a month and a half. I see the next Felix Potvin, where it's about four years of being really good and three years of "WTF happened?", followed by a stint in Boston when he just doesn't care anymore. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
motorcitykid 42 Report post Posted October 1, 2009 He's a rookie goaltender in the NHL. 99% of the hyped rookie goalies can't steal the starter's job. The ones who do steal it from rotten goalies like Toskala, true, but this kid hasn't played a full season of NA hockey. He'll hit the wall in January like nearly every European import does in their first year. This kid could be real good, but I can't bring myself to buy the hype on rookie goalies. Price anyone? A good rookie year then he fell into a pit of mediocrity (and that's being generous). Anyone seen his stats this preseason? Yikes. ^^ Also throw in the immense pressure this kid has up in Toronto. Yeh, management ain't coming right out and saying so but they don't have the confidence in Toskala Burke and Co. claim to have. They want this kid to push Toskala, which is fine, but there ain't many things the Leafs head office ever does right. They've hyped this kid big time and if there's one thing their pathetic fanbase and team personnel do every year it's over hyping players, asking whoever is their latest hot shot pick up to be every man and that type of nonsense almost always comes back to bite them in the ass. Kessel better net 60 goals or they'll be calling him a bust by January. It WILL be fun watching Burke explain it all away once the Leafs hit their annual tailspin though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MacK_Attack 108 Report post Posted October 1, 2009 Even if he is Henrik Lundqvist, he's still got a mediocre offence in front of him until Kessel gets healthy in a month and a half. I see the next Felix Potvin, where it's about four years of being really good and three years of "WTF happened?", followed by a stint in Boston when he just doesn't care anymore. Felix Potvin got burned out because he played behind some of the worst defence cores I have ever seen in the mid-90s in Toronto. He held a record for most saves in one season until Luongo broke it one year in Florida when they had a defence that was just as bad. Gustavsson shouldn't have that problem. The Leafs D is set for many years. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KrazyGangsta 79 Report post Posted October 2, 2009 Best goalie to pick for any fantasy would probably be Washington's low $$$ and has a good team in front of him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
