Handing out the report card

All things considered, the Toronto Maple Leafs enjoyed a very good first quarter of the 2011-12 regular season.

They got off to a wonderful start, going 4-0-1 in a five-game homestand to start the year and have shown signs of being a team that will indeed compete for a playoff spot.

However, we really haven't had much of a chance to see how good this team can truely be because of injuries.

A number of the team's top players have missed significant time because of injuries, including No. 1 goalie James Reimer who only recently returned to the ice following a bout of concussion-like symptoms.

The good news is winger Phil Kessel has been one of the best -- if not the very best -- players in the league. His linemate, Joffrey Lupul, has also taken his game to new heights and is playing the best hockey of his checkered eight-year career.

The following are grades for the Maple Leafs players after the team's first 21 games, generally regarded as the quarter pole:

Phil Kessel, A+

Kessel has not only been the biggest surprise for the Leafs, he has been one of the best storylines in the entire NHL. He's the NHL's top scorer through 21 games with 16 goals and 29 points and has developed into more of a well-rounded player as his plus-6 rating indicates.

Joffrey Lupul, A

The journeyman forward looked at this season as perhaps his last chance to justify his contract and he's surely making the most of it. Not only does Lupul do a lot of the grunt work on the top line, his superb skill level has finally come through loud and clear.

Tyler Bozak, B+

Bozak has reacted nicely to being slotted back onto the top line thanks to an early Tim Connolly injury. He looks quite comfortable skating between Kessel and Lupul. A hand injury hampered his ability to win faceoffs early in the year, but as the injury got better so did his winning percentage in the faceoff circle.

Tim Connolly, B+

Connolly has been injured twice, but when healthy he's played remarkably well. He boasts speed and creativity and isn't afraid to dangle in a crowd. If he can stay in the lineup he'll be a big reason why the Leafs take a serious run at the playoffs.

Dion Phaneuf, B

Phaneuf got off to a great start to the season, prompting coach Ron Wilson to anoint him the best defenceman in the league. Since then, Phaneuf has not been quite as productive or physical. Overall, he has done a good job in terms of being accountable as the club's captain.

John-Michael Liles, B

Liles has produced as advertised, scoring three goals and 12 points while giving the Leafs 22 minutes of mostly solid play per game. At the end of the day, he's been a big upgrade from Tomas Kaberle -- faster, more skilled offensively and more interested in playing the game.

Clarke MacArthur, B

MacArthur has actually performed well in terms of his offence (six goals, eight points in 15 games) when he's been healthy, which has been hit and miss. His minus-3 rating is something he'll want to work on in the second quarter.

Carl Gunnarsson, B

Gunnarrson has been the team's steadiest defenceman. He doesn't offer much in terms of offence, but that's okay as long as he continues to play a mistake-free game in the defensive zone.

Mike Komisarek, B

The fans' favorite whipping boy has been mostly steady this season. He is leaner and quicker than he was a year ago. Though, a broken arm will keep Komisarek out of action for a few months.

Joey Crabb, B

After starting the season with the Marlies, Crabb has done a nice job as a checking winger upon his recall. His speed makes him a dangerous forechecker and he also creates scoring chances (he had two goals through 10 games) with his physical play in the offensive zone.

Ben Scrivens, B

This kid has no shortage of confidence and is mature beyond his years. Even in defeat Scrivens usually gives his team a chance to win. He handles the puck well, but needs to communicate with his defencemen a little better.

Mikhail Grabovski, B-

The veteran pivot has done quite well considering one of his wingers, Nikolai Kulemin, has not played to his potential. He had five goals and 10 points in 16 games before suffering a lower-body injury that will keep him on the shelf for another week or so.

Jake Gardiner, B-

It generally takes young defencemen a while to find their way and Gardiner is no exception. He has massive offensive upside, but seems reluctant to use his speed and skill, opting instead to play a safe game. With experience he should emerge as the team's top point-producing blueliner.

David Steckel, B-

The Leafs brought Steckel in as a faceoff specialist and he's proven to be a decent penalty-killer who has also chipped in with four goals. Steckel has been particularly valuable winning faceoffs late in games.

Mike Brown, B-

Brown gives you an honest effort virtually every shift. Like a few others on the team, he has been in and out of the lineup because of injuries, but when he plays he never fails to give it his all and he's one of the league's better middleweight fighters, too.

Matthew Lombardi, C+

After missing all but two games last season, Lombardi was showing some positive signs of finding his game until he injured his shoulder. His game still needs plenty of work defensively as he had a team-worst minus-7 rating.

Matt Frattin, C+

Frattin made the team out of training camp, but struggled to find his offensive game and was sent to the Marlies. Since being recalled, he finally scored his first NHL goal and continues to impress with his speed and physical play. Look for big things from this guy in the near future.

Philippe Dupuis, C+

He was brought in as a penalty-killer and has done a decent job in that regard. Dupuis brings nothing to the table in terms of offence.

Cody Franson, C

Franson's had a tough time getting into the lineup, but with Komisarek out for a few months the hard-shooting defender has an opportunity to establish himself in Toronto. It would sure help his cause if he used his big shot more often. Franson had just four shots in seven games.

Jonas Gustavsson, C

After a rocky start, during which time he lost his job to rookie Ben Scrivens, Gustavsson has played better recently. It sure helps when your team scores seven goals per game as the Leafs have the last two times he started.

Colton Orr, C

The team's designated fighter was having trouble getting into the lineup. In the first quarter he played in just four games and had one goal and one fight.

Jay Rosehill, C

Another tough guy who plays infrequently, Rosehill is a willing fighter who doesn't necessarily hurt the team when he skates a regular shift.

Luke Schenn, C-

The fourth-year defender has yet to hit his stride this season. Bad pinches and giveaways have made it hard to earn the trust of his coaches. To his credit, Schenn does play a physical game and has delivered a few bone-crunching checks.

Nikolai Kulemin, D

Having just two goals in 21 games is simply not good enough for a player the Leafs are counting on for at least 30. Kulemin is one of the hardest working players on the team, both in practice and in games, but the results have simply not been there.

Colby Armstrong, Incomplete

The veteran winger has only played five games due to a sprained ankle and other ailments.

Joe Colborne, Incomplete

After tearing up the AHL, Colborne has looked very good in his short stint filling in for Grabovski. He seems to have picked up a little extra speed since training camp.

James Reimer, Incomplete

Reimer was 4-0-1 when he suffered an upper-body injury that caused concussion-like symptoms. His numbers (2.58 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage) have been good. Time will tell if he's the real deal.

Veteran hockey columnist Mike Brophy will cover the Toronto Maple Leafs for sportsnet.ca for the 2011/12 season.