Darcy Tucker on your team?

[DarkStar50 679]

Darcy Tucker played 56 games, scored 24 goals(second on the team behind Sundin) with 19 assists for 43 points. When Darcy was healthy, he scored 15 PPG which equaled 24% of the total Leafs power play goals this season. Darcy also had 6 GWG. I would be interested to know the Leafs record when he was out of the line-up for 26 games. I have seen only a small sample of his work and wondered from Leafs Nation if they still think he belongs in Toronto or is not a valuable player to the Leafs and should be moved out.

[kosydar 0]

I don't understand what you're trying to prove here, but I'll bite anyway...

Darcy has been one of my favorite players over the past five or six years. There is no doubt in my mind that he is one of the most valuable Leafs forwards, and players as well. He is not a first line player, but a second or third liner. He has shown in the past couple of years he is capable of scoring a lot of goals. Before he was hurt this year he was on pace for around 40 goals, but slowed down after he came back.

He has a terrible reputation which looking back on the early stages of his career is for the most part deserved. People call him a diver and a sideshow, which he may have been guilty of earlier this year. In the past couple of years he has really matured his game as he has realized how important he is to the team. His only questionable incident last season that I can think of is the Eaves fight. Other than that he provided great leadership. His conduct off the ice is befitting of a true leader, not someone seeking to stir shit up and draw attention upon himself.

Darcy plays with more heart and passion than anyone else on the Leafs. There is no doubt that he wants to win more than anyone else, and he is willing to sacrifice himself to do so. I was actually in favor of trading him near the deadline because there were rumors of great returns for him (good young scoring wingers) and it was rumored he wanted a very expensive contract. I'm satisfied with how things ultimately turned out.

[Eazy_b97 1]

14 - 12 when he was out of the line-up. Peca and Welly were down for all of those games as well. Antro and Poni jumped on the IR for a handful of games as well 4-5 I believe, while the other 3 were injured. Tucker's injury time is the only one out of the 5 where they were above .500.

[DarkStar50 679]

Kosy,

There are so many guys in the league that I miss who all of a sudden just show their value and ability to me that I like to get a better understanding of the player. I will have one narrow idea of the guy and then he shows me tremendous ability. Believe it or not, I think this way of Tucker. There were times I thought he was a dirtbag but then I check his stats, his contribution to his team and re-evaluate him. I thought the guy gave it his all most every shift, nothing wrong with that. At the same time, I hear that he was on the block and I wonder why given the value I see him bring to a sometimes lifeless Leaf team.

easy,

I know the Leafs had other injuries at the same time as Tucker was out. I was just curious how the Leafs did during that time. I think the Wellwood injury hurt a lot more than some may admit. I hope wellwood bounces back as I like small gutsy players with dipsy-do who aren't afraid of anything. Not sure if that is Wellwood but he showed me some gitty-up on a few Saturday nights before he went down.

BTW, one of my cats is named Darcy. He is always chirping.

[Eazy_b97 1]

Most Leafs fan consider Welly's injury the biggest one of the season. When he went down the PP went from top 5 to bottom 1/3rd. Peca's influence was similar. The team played well without Tucker in the line-up.

He was rumoured be on the block as an upcoming UFA. It was suggested he may get in the 4 mill range, back when he was onpace for a 40 goal season before his injury.

[daca 0]

not a leafs fan by any means, but i do admire and respect the way he plays. the leafs could use a few more players like him.