Evaluating a defenceman's performance independently of a goaltender's performance is tricky at best. Cam Charron over at The Leafs Nation believes that Luke Schenn actually performed much better in front of James Reimer than either of his previous two goalies in 2010-11, and he's got numbers to help explain why.
Like Aulie, the big increase in Schenn's Fenwick number came from an offensive source. Despite an increase in defensive zone time in games where Reimer started, Schenn's goals for number went up slightly (one goal per five games). Unlike Aulie, however, Schenn had a marginal decrease in Fenwick events against, even when you factor in the score effect. The Leafs were in, or leading, more games with Reimer than Giguere or Gustavsson which would increase the difficulty in preventing shots.
Check out this and more in today's FTB. Good morning, everyone.
JUNGLE B: ROAD TO THE NHL. PART TWO
Jason Gregor has an interesting interview with Mark Letestu over at Leafs Nation.
Brian Burke’s MLA Interview
Just a few questions pulled from a larger interview that will appear in the upcoming Maple Leafs Annual. From Maple Leafs Hot Stove.
A "Did you know?" Thursday
The latest from Langlois at VLM.
Montreal police complete probe into Chara hit
Now it's up the the Crown lawyers to decide whether or not to lay charges. From the CP at the Globe.
Leafs' Depth Chart
Brodi Craddock takes a look, over at Hockey Tracker.