Well we know that Burke has been trying hard to find a centreman to take the place of Tyler Bozak between Kessel and Lupul, but WHO exactly takes that spot is still unclear. What IS clear is that there are three strong candidates for the position already on the Leafs' roster:
- Joe Colbourne
- James Van Riemsdyk
- Nazem Kadri
The question is who do you think should take the spot? Well no, the real question is who the coaching and management staff thinks should get to be point man on the top line, but I'M asking you for your opinions.
Player Bios:
J. Colbourne:
 |
| Colbourne's Roster Pic |
| Name: | Joe Colborne |
| Number: | 22 |
| Pos.: | C |
| Shoots: | L |
| Height: | 6-5 |
| Weight: | 213 |
| Birthdate: | 1990-01-30 |
| Birthplace: | Calgary, AB |
| Season | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | +/- | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011-12 Regular Season | Toronto Marlies | 65 | 16 | 23 | 39 | 0 | 46 |
| 2010-11 Regular Season | Toronto Marlies | 20 | 8 | 8 | 16 | 2 | 8 |
| 2010-11 Regular Season | Providence Bruins | 55 | 12 | 14 | 26 | -16 | 35 |
| 2009-10 Regular Season | Providence Bruins | 6 | 0 | 2 | 2 | -8 | 2 |
| total | 146 | 36 | 47 | 83 | -22 | 91 |
James Van Riemsdyk:
NUMBER: 21
HEIGHT: 6' 3"
WEIGHT: 200
Pos.: LW
SHOOTS: LEFT
BORN: 4 MAY 1989 (AGE 23)
BIRTHPLACE: MIDDLETOWN, NJ, UNITED STATES
| SEASON | GP | G | A | P | +/- | PIM | PP | SH | GW | S | S% |
| REGULAR SEASON | 43 | 11 | 13 | 24 | -1 | 24 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 121 | 9.1 |
| LEAGUE RANK | 546TH | 213TH | 334TH | 283RD | 435TH | 419TH | 206TH | 121ST | 250TH | 245TH | 312TH |
| PLAYOFF STATS | 7 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 11.1 |
| LEAGUE RANK | 139TH | 98TH | 161ST | 157TH | 244TH | 154TH | 79TH | 8TH | 66TH | 199TH | 84TH |
Nazem Kadri:
NUMBER: 43
HEIGHT: 6' 0"
WEIGHT: 188
POS.: C
SHOOTS: LEFT
BORN: 6 OCT 1990 (AGE 21)
BIRTHPLACE: LONDON, ON, CANADA
| SEASON | GP | G | A | P | +/- | PIM | PP | SH | GW | S | S% |
| REGULAR SEASON | 21 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 2 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 28 | 17.9 |
| LEAGUE RANK | 677TH | 351ST | 648TH | 548TH | 257TH | 639TH | 263RD | 121ST | 250TH | 623RD | 33RD |
Alright folks, so knowing what the Leafs are reportedly looking to add to their team (size, "truculence", basically skill mixed with grit) who do YOU think should take the top line centreman's position in the 2012-2013 season? Even set aside what the team says they want, who do YOU think should get the spot by your own criteria? Leave a comment at the end of the post to weigh in.
Personally I think that Colbourne needs a little more time in a lower-level spot in the NHL before he gets tossed into the pressure cooker that is the Toronto top line. Kadri's a familiar face so it's tempting to vote him in but Riemsdyk has size and skill and we really do need someone who's willing to get into the fray and push for the puck. That being said, I haven't seen much of JVR so I can't throw my FULL confidence behind him. To me the solution lies between JVR and Kadri, but I'll give JVR the slight edge say.... 60-40 JVR-Kadri.
Who's YOUR pick?
Enjoy your skate!
Joshua J. Taylor
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