TLN Player Power Rankings: World Hockey Championship Edition

If you thought we were done with reviewing actual games played by Leafs players, you are greatly mistaken. May has provided us with the tournament that’s second only to the Spengler Cup for “Dear Gord, why is this a thing?” reactions. Of course, Canada one this year, so I’m sure most people are viewing this is as the greatest international tournament outside the Olympics. To them I say “I can’t wait until next season when Crosby turns Canada down and Matt Stajan is the first line center.” 

Anyway here are the rankings…

This is somewhat of a no brainer. Why risk injury in a tournament that at best determines the seeding for the next years tournament which determines seeding for the following years tournament which will determine the seeding for the Olympics which NHL players may or may not attend.

You can make a case that a free trip to Prague is something, but a trip to Prague where you don’t have to work is even better.

After an exhausting 82 game season that was likely pretty joyless for Leafs players, kudos to those who skipped.

Rooming with Jake Gardiner is the gateway to the Leafs. If his Instagram feed is any indication, Jake Gardiner seems like a swell guy to spend time with, and who wouldn’t want to keep the good times going? The Leafs have plenty of space for a young defenseman and a Rielly – Reilly pairing wouldn’t at all make Joe Bowen’s head explode. And another NCAA player would probably have the same effect on Cherry.

Shout to Jake, for doing work on getting Mike Reilly. Also, how is it that this guy still can’t get any respect? Playing the role of the seventh defenseman, getting scratched in favour of Zach Redmond, it ain’t easy being Jake, but at least got a goal. And he was also the only Leaf to medal.

Uncle Leo has quite a reputation with the international refs, and perhaps that led to the hilarious call below. Komarov was also the Leafs leading scorer at the tournament with a whopping three points.

What was the one thing Dick Panik struggled with as a Leaf? Well, actually a lot of things, but the one thing in particular was he seemed to lack in assists. He had two in his seven games of the tournament, for him that’s a Adam Oatesian performance.

Petter Granberg also attended which I’m sure was a thrill for him, but much less so for Swedish hockey fans.

Petter Granberg got invited and you didn’t. You should feel bad.