Steve says:
Hartly got fired in Atlanta. Talk of Pat Quinn or Pat Burns taking his place.
Poni expected back on #1 Line with Sundin and Blake on Thursday.
McCabe getting roasted by hockey media.
Leafs spend entire day working defensive zone coverage drills.
Flames lose a 4 goal lead and lose the game in shootout.
whew!
Chris says:
The rumour mill has it that Wellwood could be making his first appearance of the season on Saturday. I have yet to be wowwed by Wellwood, but that's primarily because he's injured so often.
Colaiacovo is apparently on the mend as well.
2007-10-17
2007-10-16
The Return of Bell
Steve says:
Not only is it super frikkin cool that I have tickets for the game on Nov. 6th with the Leafs returning to Ottawa to avenge their losses..but it also marks the return of one MARK BELL!
Hopefully he will bring some actual skill and power to this lackluster D of ours!
Go Leafs!
Not only is it super frikkin cool that I have tickets for the game on Nov. 6th with the Leafs returning to Ottawa to avenge their losses..but it also marks the return of one MARK BELL!
Hopefully he will bring some actual skill and power to this lackluster D of ours!
Go Leafs!
Chris says:
Really? Mark Bell? That's who you're tagging as the Great White Hope of the Leafs?
Did we reach the bottom of the barrell so soon?
In an unrelated item I too will be in Ottawa on November 6th. But sadly it won't be for the game.
Game 7
Steve says:Raycroft was great.
Gamache was great.
McCabe was McCabe.
So we lost.
We need to send him away...far far away...and bring up some hungry youth who actually want to help us win. McCabe (and the defensive play as a whole) was so terrible that it staggered my mind last night.
No goalie can face 40-45 shots every night and be expected to win. No Goalie could...not Luongo, not Gerber, not Brodeur...no one...
we need defence!
we need defence!
(continue repeating until blue in the face)
Chris says:
There was a time when I was pretty stoked to have B-Mc on our D corps. Of course, a lot of that positive karma was pre-lockout.
Back then McCabe had a hell of a slapshot from the blue line and was dumping forwards on their collective asses faster than you could say "pay raise". But then the lockout came along. Suddenly the only the thing the "can-opener" was good for was two minutes in the penalty box. And the once vaunted slap shot? Not as effective when the other team knows its coming and sets up their D accordingly.
It was enough to get McCabe 5 years, 29 million dollars and absolutely no-trades without his say so. If only the ink had time to dry before he started stinking up the joint. I guess its hard to care about hockey when you're fornicating in a big pile of cash every night.
Here's the bottom line. McCabe is our highest paid player and as such he either needs to play like it, get benched or be traded. And my money's on the trade. We need to take what we can get for this guy and run. Look, I knock around a couple of sports for fun and I've made more than my share of mistakes on the field. So I know that perfection just isn't possible. But in the NHL there is no excuse for shoveling the puck into your own net. At this level of play you will be judged for each and every mistake you make, fairly or not. He's either incomptenent or he just doesn't care anymore.
I suspect it's a bit of both.
For whatever reason, McCabe's early career promises have ripened into a smelly pile of rotten crap. Maybe he just can't take the pressure of playing hockey under the microscope of such a hockey mad town. Whatever the reason, I've run out of patience and out of excuses.
Bryan McCabe your time here is done.
2007-10-15
Game 6
Chris Says:
Sid the Kid broke his personal scoring draught, by scoring a pair of goals on us, please pardon my surprised face, which make all the difference when the score ends up being 6 – 4.
An aside, will Sidney Crosby get saddled with this nickname for the rest of his life? Or will he grow out of it? A note to Sidney, “The Great One” has been taken.
Again our Defense was porous at best and it seems like there’s not going to be much hope for these 07-08 Leafs if they can’t stop the other team from scoring. Even the greatest goaltender in the world is only as good as his defenders. What do you think we could get for McCabe right now? A six pack and a half off coupon at McDonald’s? Right now, if it were me, I’d settle for just dropping his salary.
Next up Buffalo, and if you've been following that team's games lately you'll see that we're in for a rough one.
Steve says:
Mcabe is killing us. It's as simple as that. With his defensive issues leading the way, our goaltenders are getting killed out there. It's too bad because Toskala and Raycroft are both actually playing really well...but have nothing to show for it.
Sid the Kid broke his personal scoring draught, by scoring a pair of goals on us, please pardon my surprised face, which make all the difference when the score ends up being 6 – 4.
An aside, will Sidney Crosby get saddled with this nickname for the rest of his life? Or will he grow out of it? A note to Sidney, “The Great One” has been taken.
Again our Defense was porous at best and it seems like there’s not going to be much hope for these 07-08 Leafs if they can’t stop the other team from scoring. Even the greatest goaltender in the world is only as good as his defenders. What do you think we could get for McCabe right now? A six pack and a half off coupon at McDonald’s? Right now, if it were me, I’d settle for just dropping his salary.
Next up Buffalo, and if you've been following that team's games lately you'll see that we're in for a rough one.
Steve says:
Mcabe is killing us. It's as simple as that. With his defensive issues leading the way, our goaltenders are getting killed out there. It's too bad because Toskala and Raycroft are both actually playing really well...but have nothing to show for it.
2007-10-12
Game 5
Steve says: Sundin Sundin Sundin!
Well he finally did it. Mats Sundin is the top goal scorer and point getter of any Maple Leaf Ever!
Good on ya Mats!
And, as the gracious leader that he is, he immediately thanked the fans for their help along the way.
There will be many sites praising Sundin for all of his accomplishments so I am sure if you want more Sundin stats you can Google them easily enough. I want to talk about the game itself.
The loss to Carolina was exactly what the Leafs needed to kick them in the ass. They have been playing (for the most part) slightly above mediocre hockey and squeaking out wins here and there. Then a team like Carolina comes to town and say hey Leafs, suck on this!
The team could have gone one of 2 directions after the loss to the Hurricanes...suck more or kick some ass....I'm glad they chose the latter.
Everything was really firing for the buds. they cut back on penalties (still more than I would have liked, but getting better), the defencemen actually started to hit. They called up some speed in Gamache (who I thought should have made the opening roster) and I gotta say that Raycroft looked pretty sharp.
The thing that made Raycroft look sharp is that our defencemen cleared the front of the net and they cleared away rebounds for a change. Most goalies in the NHL can stop what they see. It's the screened shots and the rebounds that get behind them. So when our defencemen actually do their jobs, even Raycroft looks good!
If they can keep up that style of hitting defence and solid rebound clearing, our goalie tandem will take us a long way!
Go Leafs!
Chris says:
So they gave Mats Sundin all three stars last night.
Not too shabby. Scratch that. It was freaking amazing.
In an 8-1 slaughter of the Islanders Sundin finally found that elusive point number 917 to sneak past Sittler as the Leaf’s all time point leader.
Sundin is slowly but surely winding up his career. Which means the opportunities for him to hoist a cup over his head are starting to shrink. Is this the team that can help turn it all that around for him? My gut reaction says no. Essentially we’re the same team as last year, good, but not good enough. The Leafs made a smart upgrade upfront landing Blake but what they really need is another high level sniper and a consistently solid puckstopper. Both of which have eluded this club for the last couple of seasons.
But it’s a long season and we’re barely out of the gate here. And while it’s nice to get in a drubbing like that every now and again, that accomplishment is diminished slightly by the fact that the Leafs were on the receiving end of a similar pounding only two nights earlier.
With such a demanding schedule ahead of them the trick to making it into the playoffs is going to be consistency, and unfortunately, on that front we’ve been found lacking.
So while it’s important to enjoy this milestone while we can, our number one focus has to be on making sure that we’re bringing our A-game to the ice, week in and week out.
Not too shabby. Scratch that. It was freaking amazing.
In an 8-1 slaughter of the Islanders Sundin finally found that elusive point number 917 to sneak past Sittler as the Leaf’s all time point leader.
Sundin is slowly but surely winding up his career. Which means the opportunities for him to hoist a cup over his head are starting to shrink. Is this the team that can help turn it all that around for him? My gut reaction says no. Essentially we’re the same team as last year, good, but not good enough. The Leafs made a smart upgrade upfront landing Blake but what they really need is another high level sniper and a consistently solid puckstopper. Both of which have eluded this club for the last couple of seasons.
But it’s a long season and we’re barely out of the gate here. And while it’s nice to get in a drubbing like that every now and again, that accomplishment is diminished slightly by the fact that the Leafs were on the receiving end of a similar pounding only two nights earlier.
With such a demanding schedule ahead of them the trick to making it into the playoffs is going to be consistency, and unfortunately, on that front we’ve been found lacking.
So while it’s important to enjoy this milestone while we can, our number one focus has to be on making sure that we’re bringing our A-game to the ice, week in and week out.
2007-10-11
Poni sits
Steve says:
Poni is sitting out tonights game after running into Kilger during practise.
D'oh!
Chris says:
Apparently yesterday saw a fairly spirited practice as the team tried to work of the stink of failure from the Carolina game, which is how Pony got hurt.
Keep working boys.
Late start...?
Steve says:
There is a high possibility to a late start to next season. The NHL is looking hard at pushing back the start date for the 08-09 season in order to avoid some American sports TV conflicts such as the World Series in baseball.
This really sucks IMO because once again we are altering our sport to better suit the Americans. I think we (being the NHL) have been plugging away at the southern states long enough for even a blind person to see that hockey is not going to become the "next big thing" down there.
Why the NHL is beating a dead horse at the expense of all the other teams has me dumbfounded.
If you put a team in Winnipeg tomorrow, you would have sold out games every night.
If you put a team in Hamilton (like Balsille offered to do with a 50mil bonus to boot) you would have sold out games every night.
Why keep putting teams into markets where the best you can really expect is between 5-7000 for attendance?
Just doesn't add up.
Chris says:
Just more of the same B.S. from Betteman and company. Apparently the fact that League and the Sport is a cherished Canadian institution doesn't mean crap to them.
Didn't the Sens playoff schedule get severely screwed around last year because of a NASCAR race or something? Who wants to watch playoff hockey in the afternoon.
What really pisses me off isn't that the League seems to have forgotten Canada, its that they go the extra mile to consistently spit in our faces. The death of the Hamilton Blackberries being the perfect example.
If you want to build the brand, try putting hockey clubs in cities, Canadian cities, where the fans actually want to show up.
Put a team in Hamilton, Winnipeg, Quebec City or even on the East Coast. And if the current business model doesn't support that structure, trying paying the players less. Because a sucessful NHL benefits everyone. There's nothing I hate more than watching some game in the grapefruit belt and looking at an arena that's only half full. That's just depressing.
These guys have blinders on and they're systematically ignoring the easy saves in pursuit of a couple American billionares and a broadcast contract.
How about pursuing the fans instead.
2007-10-10
Game 4
Chris says:
A brief analysis of last night’s 7 - 1 loss against the Hurricanes.
“Oh hey Chris, what are you doing?”
“Punching myself in the gut repeatedly.”
“Why?”
“Because it hurts less than watching the Leafs play”
If you happened to miss last night’s work shop on how to score goals, you didn’t miss much. In fact, you didn’t miss anything at all. Actually, I stand corrected, Sundin did tie Sittler for career points at 916. Not like that makes up for the whole sordid affair. It's time to sit back and let the excuses fly.
Steve says:
OUCH! Poor Vesa. He must be wondering "what the hell am I doing here?". I remember a Habs game where they were playing so poorly that Patrick Roy took the puck from behind his net and stick handled all the way out past 3 players to past the red line as his way of telling his team, "look, if I can do it, with all these pads and nobody to pass to, why cant you guys?"
He got a penalty because there is some rule that says Goalies cant go beyond the centre ice (stupid rule btw), but it woke the Habs up.
Maybe Vesa needs to do something like that.
Anyways, I really don't blame Vesa for last night. Yes it is bad when a goalie lets in 7 goals, but in his defence, here is a quick rundown of the goals:
Goal #1 - this one is partially Vesa's fault, he went down to early (as he appears to do regularly) but also, Justin Williams is allowed to walk in form the half boards and get a clear shot...that should never happen...but it does all the time, cuz our D guys are afraid to hit.
Goal #2 - again, no help by the D to clear a rebound
Goal #3 - Toronto D is killing a penalty,...poorly
Goal #4 - if you watch the replay, Boyd Devereaux actually watches the Carolina player skate past and into the zone with the puck before snapping out of his daydream to try and chase him down, but by then it is too late and the puck is in the back of the net. Would have been nice for Vesa to stop this one.
Goal #5 - another bad PK
Goal #6 - another bad PK (starting to sense a theme here...penalties = goals against)
Goal #7 - this one hurt the most IMO. Kilger simply watches as Staal skates in, goes past him, drives to the net and stuffs it not once, not twice, but 3 times on the short side. Kilger doesn't touch Staal once! NOT ONCE!
It's called defence you lazy bastards! hit them as they come into your zone! They cant shoot or pass when they are flat on their ass!
Last night Vesa stood on his head trying to give us a chance, but when my 11 year old sons team plays better D that the Leafs, what chance did they have?
None.
better pick up your socks boys or nights like that will happen again and again.
ps. Did you see McCabe trip over his own net, under no pressure by Carolina...man,...that guy is starting to really suck lately...oh...and hey Steen...try opening your eyes when searching for the puck...!
A brief analysis of last night’s 7 - 1 loss against the Hurricanes.
“Oh hey Chris, what are you doing?”
“Punching myself in the gut repeatedly.”
“Why?”
“Because it hurts less than watching the Leafs play”
If you happened to miss last night’s work shop on how to score goals, you didn’t miss much. In fact, you didn’t miss anything at all. Actually, I stand corrected, Sundin did tie Sittler for career points at 916. Not like that makes up for the whole sordid affair. It's time to sit back and let the excuses fly.
Steve says:
OUCH! Poor Vesa. He must be wondering "what the hell am I doing here?". I remember a Habs game where they were playing so poorly that Patrick Roy took the puck from behind his net and stick handled all the way out past 3 players to past the red line as his way of telling his team, "look, if I can do it, with all these pads and nobody to pass to, why cant you guys?"
He got a penalty because there is some rule that says Goalies cant go beyond the centre ice (stupid rule btw), but it woke the Habs up.
Maybe Vesa needs to do something like that.
Anyways, I really don't blame Vesa for last night. Yes it is bad when a goalie lets in 7 goals, but in his defence, here is a quick rundown of the goals:
Goal #1 - this one is partially Vesa's fault, he went down to early (as he appears to do regularly) but also, Justin Williams is allowed to walk in form the half boards and get a clear shot...that should never happen...but it does all the time, cuz our D guys are afraid to hit.
Goal #2 - again, no help by the D to clear a rebound
Goal #3 - Toronto D is killing a penalty,...poorly
Goal #4 - if you watch the replay, Boyd Devereaux actually watches the Carolina player skate past and into the zone with the puck before snapping out of his daydream to try and chase him down, but by then it is too late and the puck is in the back of the net. Would have been nice for Vesa to stop this one.
Goal #5 - another bad PK
Goal #6 - another bad PK (starting to sense a theme here...penalties = goals against)
Goal #7 - this one hurt the most IMO. Kilger simply watches as Staal skates in, goes past him, drives to the net and stuffs it not once, not twice, but 3 times on the short side. Kilger doesn't touch Staal once! NOT ONCE!
It's called defence you lazy bastards! hit them as they come into your zone! They cant shoot or pass when they are flat on their ass!
Last night Vesa stood on his head trying to give us a chance, but when my 11 year old sons team plays better D that the Leafs, what chance did they have?
None.
better pick up your socks boys or nights like that will happen again and again.
ps. Did you see McCabe trip over his own net, under no pressure by Carolina...man,...that guy is starting to really suck lately...oh...and hey Steen...try opening your eyes when searching for the puck...!
2007-10-09
Game 3
Steve says:WooHoo!
We got win #1 under our belt! It was a great effort by all of the buds to come back from being down 3-1.
Once again the refs made some pretty bad calls on both sides including one on Sundin in Overtime, and then right after we killed that off, one on the habs...but that last one worked in our favour so I won't complain too loudly.
Once again Toskala made some huge saves to keep us in it. Now if only we didn't have to score 4 goals to win a game...
I am glad that Blake is such a strong person to be able to to play as well as he has knowing that he has a rare form of cancer. Hopefully he is telling the truth about his ability to continue playing. I hope he recovers and that his family doesn't need to suffer.
Good job boys...now lets keep the train a rollin'!
Go Leafs!
Chris Says:
I have a confession to make. I was watching this game at a restaurant in Montreal when I should have been paying attention to my lovely and gorgeous fiancé who was sitting at the table with me.
Oh, by the way, Steve, I’m going to need a groomsman. Save the date.
Anyway, moving on. This was a great game. It was good to see the boys in blue battle back after getting down two goals. Toskala was sharp and the defense wasn’t totally porous. But in the third period Toskala was leaving the net a lot to field the puck on the boards and that was making me nervous. On more than one occasion a Habs player could have easily given him a well placed nudge. Raycroft has the same habit and it’s that kind of wanderlust that could see a quick goal scored on an undefended T.O. net.
Stay between the pipes boys and if you’re gonna leave the safety of the crease, at least be smart about it and don’t chase after every puck skidding across the ice like an over anxious retriever.
Three assists from Sundin and that ain’t shabby. But I want to see the old man scoring goals. He may not have m(any) more seasons left in him and I’d like to see him run up his stats while he still can.
And finally, Jason Blake. For those of you still unaware Blake was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia, chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). The good news is apparently CML is highly treatable so Blake’s prognosis is positive. Having gone through my own cancer scare with my mother this year I know how heavy this kind of stuff can be. I wish him all the best and I hope that he comes through this thing in flying colours.
2007-10-05
Game 2
Steve says: 
Inconsistency from ref to ref has plagued this game for decades. There needs to be a standard set and met each and every night from every ref so that the players know each night what they can and can not do.
First, the good stuff.
SUNDIN TIES SITTLER!!!
Ok, on with the rest...
Steve's Report Card
Game 2
Offense - C
Defence - D
Goaltending - B
Overall, it was more of the same. More Penalties. More Defensive breakdowns.
I didn't think that Blake-Sundin-Antro really gelled too well last night. But Toskala was really good. It was nice to see our goalie making a few great stops at key times to keep us in the game. It must be frustrating for him to make all those stops and then still lose because of the 10 penalties we took against one of the most offensive teams in the league. On top of that, we totally failed to make anything of the chance we got on the powerplay (I don't think we can call ours, a "power"play). At one point we had an extra man for 4 minutes. and what happened? Nothing, barely even a scoring chance.
I do have a bone to pick with the reffing in the league however. This is not because of the penalties. Don't worry I'm not some guy who whines when his team loses that the refs were paid or anything stupid like that. No, this is because of inconsistency from one game to the next depending on which ref you get. The Blake goal which was disallowed due to Goaltender interference was a correct call. As much as I didn't like it, it was the correct call to make (although my Leafer side says that I am sure Blake did everything he could to get out of the way). My issue with it is the fact that 20 minutes later in a different game, Phoenix scored a goal and they had players literally sitting on the Blues goalie. How does that goal count but the Blake one not?
vs
Inconsistency from ref to ref has plagued this game for decades. There needs to be a standard set and met each and every night from every ref so that the players know each night what they can and can not do.
Go Leafs...take this same game (minus the penalties) to Montreal (1-0-0, 6th overall) and kick their asses!
2007-10-04
Game 1
Steve's Report Card
Game 1
Offense - B
Defence - D
Goaltending - C
I felt that our Sundin-Blake-Antro line was fantastic, especially when you consider that it was only their 3rd time playing together as a line. Good things to come from them. Lines 2 and 3 were average, generating some chance. Line 4 was ineffective. Not as much hitting as I would have expected.
Defensively I thought it was a sideshow. I was screaming at my TV for our D to hit guys like Heatly, and Alfredsson. They really only showed up for the 2nd half of the 2nd period. Much improvement to be made, but I think Paul Maurice can do it.
Goaltending, Raycroft was basically the same as last year. Andrew made some good saves (like stopping Alfredsson on the breakaway, atta boy Andrew), but also let in some weak ones, which is pretty much the same story as last season. This is a game where, if he had made a couple of key saves, I would now be praising his off season training or something like that. But it looks like he took off his skates, went south, got married, came back and put his skates back on.
Hopefully Toskala is no longer suffering from media-itis.
Final comments - Overall I am happy with the Leafs performance. When playing the supposed 2nd best team in the NHL, the buds looked pretty damn good.
Go Leafs Go.
Game 1
Offense - B
Defence - D
Goaltending - C
I felt that our Sundin-Blake-Antro line was fantastic, especially when you consider that it was only their 3rd time playing together as a line. Good things to come from them. Lines 2 and 3 were average, generating some chance. Line 4 was ineffective. Not as much hitting as I would have expected.
Defensively I thought it was a sideshow. I was screaming at my TV for our D to hit guys like Heatly, and Alfredsson. They really only showed up for the 2nd half of the 2nd period. Much improvement to be made, but I think Paul Maurice can do it.
Goaltending, Raycroft was basically the same as last year. Andrew made some good saves (like stopping Alfredsson on the breakaway, atta boy Andrew), but also let in some weak ones, which is pretty much the same story as last season. This is a game where, if he had made a couple of key saves, I would now be praising his off season training or something like that. But it looks like he took off his skates, went south, got married, came back and put his skates back on.
Hopefully Toskala is no longer suffering from media-itis.
Final comments - Overall I am happy with the Leafs performance. When playing the supposed 2nd best team in the NHL, the buds looked pretty damn good.
Go Leafs Go.
Chris says:
Steve already kinda said it all didn't he.
Blake-Sundin-Antropov? That's a line I can see good things from. Even if that one goal did go off the skate, our boys were in place and the timing is right. We can only get better there.
Defence. I'm sorry, I didn't see any defence. I DID see a lot of scoring on Raycroft. But that's nothing new. None of it looked like Defence however.
So. We solider on. But we'll get an opp to match up against them soon enough. Hopefully this time the outher come will be a little more in our favour.
Peca
Steve says:
I forgot to mention this before...
The bluejackets have put Peca on injured reserve list...He missed all pre-season game due to groin strain...http://bluejackets.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=338932
Chris says:
He'll be back.
I forgot to mention this before...
The bluejackets have put Peca on injured reserve list...He missed all pre-season game due to groin strain...http://bluejackets.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=338932
Chris says:
He'll be back.
2007-10-03
TICKETS !
Steve says:
I GOT TICKETS FOR NOV.6th VS THE SENS !!!
GO LEAFS GO !
Chris says:
You fuck hole. How'd you swing that?
Steve says:
my work has inter office want-ads and this one lady bought a bunch of tickets, then her husband bought tickets for the same nights (ha!) so she is selling them cheap-ish $125 for the pair... I checked online and the best left at the 300 level is $160so that is gonna freakin' ROCK!!!! what do you think of the goalie controversy going on right now?
Chris says:
Put in Raycroft until he pooches a game, then put in Toskala until he does the same. You wanna play, show it.
Steve says:
lots of money to pay a guy to ride the pines!
Chris says:
Well fuck yah. Ideally I'd trade somebody. But do you see that happening anytime soon?Obviously they want to kick the tires on both of them and hope one of the two stands out.But in the meantime, it'll always be a guessing game.
Steve says:
funny how Maurice wouldn't say who was playing, but Raycroft did... and then Toskala looked upset... makes me wonder if it is PM playing games or Raycroft trying to sneak in and pressure PM to put him in
Chris says:
Raycroft got the nod according to the Star. I don't think Mo would play games...but I'm not sure.
Steve says:
normally he doesn't... but shit is going on... think he is being jerked around from above
Chris says:
Well, that's always the problem isn't.
It's like having your manager stand over your shoulder while you're at the computer. Only they're the ones doing the typing.
Well, that's always the problem isn't.
It's like having your manager stand over your shoulder while you're at the computer. Only they're the ones doing the typing.
the difference in coverage
Steve says:
I don't miss a lot of things about the actual city of Toronto. Don't get me wrong...it's fun and everything...but I prefer the Ottawa climate and temperament...BUT ..one thing I do miss is the coverage of hockey. Even thought Ottawa went to the final last season, this is the coverage we get on game day...
I don't miss a lot of things about the actual city of Toronto. Don't get me wrong...it's fun and everything...but I prefer the Ottawa climate and temperament...BUT ..one thing I do miss is the coverage of hockey. Even thought Ottawa went to the final last season, this is the coverage we get on game day...
But in the Toronto paper...here's what ya get on game day even after we have missed they playoffs for 2 years in a row...
Oh well....I guess if the Ottawa paper had more it would probably make me mad too...can't win i guess.
Go Leafs Go!
Chris says:
That's right ladies and gentleman, boys and girls of all ages. We're officially in go mode for another season of Leaf's hockey.
Steve and I will be here tomorrow to provide you with our shockingly partisan and completely shallow coverage of any and all games. Expect a never ending series of detailed hockey conversations including...
"Why do we pay McCabe so much?"
"Raycroft; just what is up with his glove hand?"
"Who will win the battle of the Leaf Goalies?"
"Seriously, Ottawa, we just know you're going to choke again..."
...and many, many more.
So join us as Hockey Talk goes live for the first time to bring you, the fans...so really just Steve and I...exactly what you want.
The Toronto Maple Leafs
2007-10-02
hours...tick tock tick tock
Steve says:
We are mere hours away from the drop of the puck...
I can feel the tension in the air in Ottawa...oh wait..never mind...those are just my nerves. Ottawa fans think that game 1 is already in the bag and everyone of them is walking around with an air of supreme smugness which I would love to see wiped from their dirty crybaby faces.
I really hope Tucker puts the hurt to Alfredsson. I hope Sundin gets a hat trick. I hope Blake gets a wraparound and tucks it under Gerber(isn't that a baby food company...how fitting).
I hope Raycroft gets his shit together and finally uses his glove....I don't think Toskala will be in nets on Wednesday.
We need it now almost as much as we did at the end of last season folks...
let me hear you
Go Leafs Go
Go Leafs Go
GO LEAFS GO!!!!!!
Chris says:
I've been slammed with my new job lately so I haven't had time to troll the net and see what is going on in the center of the Hockey Universe. But it's always nice to see the Blue and White start another year of hockey. We haven't been great in the pre-season so far, very much like a team trying desperately to get back in the swing of things.
I feel good. I think that if we can keep our top players healthy that we'll take a lot more of those close games that we let slip through our fingers.
I think Steve said it best.
Go Leafs Go!
2007-10-01
a sad quote...Elisha Watch '07
Steve says:
I found this quote from EC in regards to nude scenes and Playboy....warning, it is not a happy quote....
“I wouldn’t cancel out a nude scene but, right now, with my life and my career, I don’t feel the need to do that. I don’t feel it’s necessary. “I’ve been doing fine finding roles that don’t need to have full-frontal nudity in them. There have been points where we’ve had to use body doubles, and, obviously, as I get older, the roles get more mature. “I never shy away from saying, ‘OK guys, we can do this; let’s just use a double.’ I feel I give a lot to the public and there’s a few things in my life right now that I’d like to keep to myself - my breasts being one of them.”
it's a terrible Monday...
Leafs Nation is just a bit worried
Steve says:
so...here are my notes for the last game against Detroit
first of all...we had the Marlies out there..so don't get all freaked...but I am a bit concerned because the errors that were made, were not made by the young uns so much as the team as a whole....
goal #1 - what the heck was Vesa thinking coming out of the net when there were 3 red players deep in the Toronto zone?
goal #2 - Vesa makes a good save but lets out a big rebound which Ian White does nothing with in terms of defending and Detroit puts it in...I dont blame Vesa for that one...Ian White was just standing there
goal #3 - another rebound, another non play by the Leaf D man. White and Coli are both to blame...they were killing a penalty, but it was weak PK indeed
goal #4 - i cant believe Vesa lets that in...routine shot should have been a routine save.
Battaglia looked really good out there...had a lot of presence which is missing from the blue and white...
Chris says:
I had to fight the urge to pick up a pair scalped tickets to this event. S and I were meeting friends at a Jays game and we had to walk by a looooong line of scalpers just to get there. So unfortunately I won’t be able to offer up a first hand POV to this game. However, a buddy of mine wasn’t above flaunting his seats to me over drinks the night before.
When I quizzed him about the game after the fact he wasn’t able to give me the details of who scored and who was in net. BUT, he did remember that they asked fans to stay behind after the fact to be extras in the new upcoming Mike Myers’ film being shot here in Toronto, Love Guru. He’s Australian so he can be forgiven for his faulty hockey memory. As an aside, I got a sneak peek at the Love Guru script, it’s going to be hilarious and a nice shot in the arm for Leaf fans.
Here’s all you need to know about the game.
Detroit 4. Toronto 0.
And Toskala was puckstopping, in theory anyway. I forget, how much are we paying to have two goaltenders who can’t keep the puck out of the back of the net?
Postscript: Downie got a twenty game suspension, when and if he makes it to the big leagues. Not long enough IMO.
When I quizzed him about the game after the fact he wasn’t able to give me the details of who scored and who was in net. BUT, he did remember that they asked fans to stay behind after the fact to be extras in the new upcoming Mike Myers’ film being shot here in Toronto, Love Guru. He’s Australian so he can be forgiven for his faulty hockey memory. As an aside, I got a sneak peek at the Love Guru script, it’s going to be hilarious and a nice shot in the arm for Leaf fans.
Here’s all you need to know about the game.
Detroit 4. Toronto 0.
And Toskala was puckstopping, in theory anyway. I forget, how much are we paying to have two goaltenders who can’t keep the puck out of the back of the net?
Postscript: Downie got a twenty game suspension, when and if he makes it to the big leagues. Not long enough IMO.
2007-09-27
Jackass Alert
I don’t care how young you are, how badly you want to make the cut or that you got dumped to the ice yourself mere moments ago Steve Downie’s hit on Dean McAmmond was absolutely disgusting.
I disagree with those who say fighting and hitting have no place in hockey. In my opinion, they do. At the very least, they’re a part of the game and to remove them would make that game less enjoyable for me.
But there’s a rule. An unwritten rule. And that rule says dirty hits are not allowed.
Downie left his feet to hit McAmmond. He leapt at him with the intention of hurting McAmmond and making a bit of a splash for himself in doing so. About the only thing I’ll give Downie is that he probably didn’t mean to hurt McAmmond as badly as he did and in his post game interview he seemed genuinely repentant.
Doesn’t cut it.
Actions speak louder than words. As far as I’m concerned they can turf this little Bertuzzi wanna-be out of the League for the rest of his life. It’s the only way he’ll learn.
Steve says:
NO!
Hockey is a tough game. There are hits on every shift of every period of every game. People are bound to get injured...it's a simple fact of numbers...
The gear is there to protect you choose to take the "cool look" over the "safety" then you are putting yourself at risk.
I agree that the hit was dirty and done with rage, but I don't believe there was intent to injure...intent to put a Senator on his ass? YES of course, but to injure...I don't buy it.
We were all cheering this guy last year when he was leveling Russians as part of Team Canada. If a Russian player had been injured, people would probably start spouting about how they cant handle the physical aspect Canadians bring or blah blah blah.
Look at both sides of the incident.
I think he should get 10 games and the Flyers should be penalized as well...Once the NHL starts holding teams accountable for thugs, you will start to see less of them. It's only because the owners don't lose out in anyway that guys like this are still around.
Chris says:
He left his feet with intent to hurt McAmmond. How much he intended to hurt McAmmond is irrelevant.
There's a check and then there's thinking you're Superman and that you can fly.
I disagree with those who say fighting and hitting have no place in hockey. In my opinion, they do. At the very least, they’re a part of the game and to remove them would make that game less enjoyable for me.
But there’s a rule. An unwritten rule. And that rule says dirty hits are not allowed.
Downie left his feet to hit McAmmond. He leapt at him with the intention of hurting McAmmond and making a bit of a splash for himself in doing so. About the only thing I’ll give Downie is that he probably didn’t mean to hurt McAmmond as badly as he did and in his post game interview he seemed genuinely repentant.
Doesn’t cut it.
Actions speak louder than words. As far as I’m concerned they can turf this little Bertuzzi wanna-be out of the League for the rest of his life. It’s the only way he’ll learn.
Steve says:
Steve Downie as a Canadian Hero....remember?
Normally Chris and I agree on stuff like this, but this time I gotta say that I am not 100% on board..
Was it a dirty hit ....yes
Did he leave his feet...yes
Was it a bonehead move and should he be suspended...yes, of course
BUT
Was MacAmmond wearing a mouth guard and did he have his chinstrap done up properly which would have probably kept his helmet in the prop position to protect him from injury (CSA approved remember)...NO!
Hockey is a tough game. There are hits on every shift of every period of every game. People are bound to get injured...it's a simple fact of numbers...
The gear is there to protect you choose to take the "cool look" over the "safety" then you are putting yourself at risk.
I agree that the hit was dirty and done with rage, but I don't believe there was intent to injure...intent to put a Senator on his ass? YES of course, but to injure...I don't buy it.
We were all cheering this guy last year when he was leveling Russians as part of Team Canada. If a Russian player had been injured, people would probably start spouting about how they cant handle the physical aspect Canadians bring or blah blah blah.
Look at both sides of the incident.
I think he should get 10 games and the Flyers should be penalized as well...Once the NHL starts holding teams accountable for thugs, you will start to see less of them. It's only because the owners don't lose out in anyway that guys like this are still around.
Chris says:
He left his feet with intent to hurt McAmmond. How much he intended to hurt McAmmond is irrelevant.
There's a check and then there's thinking you're Superman and that you can fly.
well...that was painful...
Steve says:
Ok...well....they pretty much sucked all around last night...uhm...*searching for a good point to last night's game*
oh yeah...here's a good point...Ed Belfour lost 7-2 to the Ottawa Senators in the preseason the same year he owned them in the playoffs....so...hopefully this will be a serious kick in the ass for Toskala et al to wake the hell up and play some real hockey.
They were beaten by Derek Roy alone!
I just don't know...maybe these boys needed a good schooling like that. All the preseason games have been decided by one goal...so maybe they always went back to the dressing room thinking that they were actually in these games ...until someone came along who decided to really take it to them...and last night was the result.
But, that being said, it is pre-season, and perhaps they were trying new things...
2007-09-26
We won't get fooled again...
Chris says:
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before.
The Leafs have decided to bench Colaiacovo for the remaining Pre-Season games in fear of exacerbating his sore knee. Granted I’ll take sore knee over lingering concussion symptoms almost any day of the week.
But wait, isn’t this the same Leafs organization who was resting Wellwood because of a sore groin that they didn’t to get any worse?
“Sore” doesn’t begin to tell us if Colaiacovo just pulled a muscle or if it’s something much worse.
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before.
The Leafs have decided to bench Colaiacovo for the remaining Pre-Season games in fear of exacerbating his sore knee. Granted I’ll take sore knee over lingering concussion symptoms almost any day of the week.
But wait, isn’t this the same Leafs organization who was resting Wellwood because of a sore groin that they didn’t to get any worse?
“Sore” doesn’t begin to tell us if Colaiacovo just pulled a muscle or if it’s something much worse.
Steve says:
The injuries are already starting again. When can we get rid of some of these guys who spend half the season at home injured and get some guys in who can actually manage to show up to work for a full season.
Crazy thinking isn't it?
2007-09-24
The first battle of Ontario
Steve says:
The first battle of Ontario goes to those bastard Senators.....argh..
I can't even begin to put into words how upset I am with that last call the ref made...there was no tripping...the Senator player tried to split the Toronto D and fell in the process...in the replay it clearly showed no Leaf player held him, or even had a stick near him.
But, also...that last play by Spezza made the Leafs look like real amateurs...they just stood there and watched the guy literally skate circles around them. Disgusting.
Blake and Sundin look like they will live up to the expectations though!
Chris says:
That stench in your nostrils this morning? That's the smell of the Leaf's Defense trying to contain Spezza. Smells pretty bad don't it?
Almost as bad as our powerplay. 0 for 5.
Work. In. Progress.
Under the Knife
Wellwood goes under the knife again.
Remember how great Kyle Wellwood was playing last year? Neither do I. The oft injured Wellwood is apparently out for the count, at least for the beginning of the season.
The culprit? More groin surgery.
(Ouch)
Wellwood is often touted as the Leaf’s next “playmaker” a role that’s gone unfilled in the organization for quite some time. Unfortunately he hasn’t been given the chance to live up to his tremendous potential as he was riding the pine for what felt like the majority of last year. When he did come back last year it was too little too late as the Leafs weren’t able to put together a big enough string of wins to get us to the holy land.
What makes it worse is that Wellwood didn’t even make it to the Pre-Season before he had to go for surgery. Benched, with an undisclosed tightening of the groin muscles MLSE downplayed the sitch until they were forced to come clean by curious reporters.
With no return date set for Wellwood, who knows how long we’ll have to wait and see whether or not this man can live up to all his hype.
Steve says:
There should be some kind of insurance off the cap when a player has this many injuries. Losing this guy this many times has put in the financial hole without even a whiff of a chance to make it worth it. Frustrating to say the least.
Remember how great Kyle Wellwood was playing last year? Neither do I. The oft injured Wellwood is apparently out for the count, at least for the beginning of the season.
The culprit? More groin surgery.
(Ouch)
Wellwood is often touted as the Leaf’s next “playmaker” a role that’s gone unfilled in the organization for quite some time. Unfortunately he hasn’t been given the chance to live up to his tremendous potential as he was riding the pine for what felt like the majority of last year. When he did come back last year it was too little too late as the Leafs weren’t able to put together a big enough string of wins to get us to the holy land.
What makes it worse is that Wellwood didn’t even make it to the Pre-Season before he had to go for surgery. Benched, with an undisclosed tightening of the groin muscles MLSE downplayed the sitch until they were forced to come clean by curious reporters.
With no return date set for Wellwood, who knows how long we’ll have to wait and see whether or not this man can live up to all his hype.
Steve says:
There should be some kind of insurance off the cap when a player has this many injuries. Losing this guy this many times has put in the financial hole without even a whiff of a chance to make it worth it. Frustrating to say the least.
Beantown goes down...barely.
The Pre-Season matchups continued on Saturday with Toronto spanking Boston 4-3.
New man on campus Scott Clemmensen was the net minder for the affair. Initially the Leafs were up 2 – nil on Bruins before finding themselves on the short end of stick, down 3 – 2 in the third. However, Pohl scored early into the third period and that was enough to send the game into a shootout.
14 shots later Kubina finally managed to score and the Leafs were able to notch another win on their belt.
Goal scorers for the game were Mitchell, Kilger, Pohl and Kubina
I don’t know about you but in my mind one of the Leafs weakest areas is their shootout game play, offensively and defensively. Last year Raycroft would hunker down in the crease rarely, if ever, coming out to challenge players. And frankly we let way to many games slip out of hands when our team couldn’t manage to find the back of the net.
It may not seem like much but when you add up all the points that we could have taken from a successful shootout, who’s to say how the season would have ended if we’d have been a little more proficient at dealing with this “new” tie breaking format.
Steve says:
The funny thing is that Clemmenson was the guy who ended up deciding the ultimate fate of the Leafs last season. I find it so weird that he is a Leaf now...
New man on campus Scott Clemmensen was the net minder for the affair. Initially the Leafs were up 2 – nil on Bruins before finding themselves on the short end of stick, down 3 – 2 in the third. However, Pohl scored early into the third period and that was enough to send the game into a shootout.
14 shots later Kubina finally managed to score and the Leafs were able to notch another win on their belt.
Goal scorers for the game were Mitchell, Kilger, Pohl and Kubina
I don’t know about you but in my mind one of the Leafs weakest areas is their shootout game play, offensively and defensively. Last year Raycroft would hunker down in the crease rarely, if ever, coming out to challenge players. And frankly we let way to many games slip out of hands when our team couldn’t manage to find the back of the net.
It may not seem like much but when you add up all the points that we could have taken from a successful shootout, who’s to say how the season would have ended if we’d have been a little more proficient at dealing with this “new” tie breaking format.
Steve says:
The funny thing is that Clemmenson was the guy who ended up deciding the ultimate fate of the Leafs last season. I find it so weird that he is a Leaf now...
2007-09-21
Pre-Season: Game 3 Phoenix v. Toronto
Chris says:
What goes around, comes around.
After beating the Coyotes 3-2 in their last pre-season match up Wednesday, the Leafers found themselves on the short end of the stick against the very same team dropping last night’s game by an identical score.
Most disturbing element?
The Coyotes scored on Toskala with their first shot on net. If that doesn’t say humbling I don’t know what does. Now, the man isn’t completely to blame. There was some pretty lackluster D being played by the Leafs throughout. But I have to say this was supposed to be one of our big off-season upgrades and with Raycroft performing about as well as he normally does, I’m not seeing out of Tosk to put my faith in him quite yet.
This is what the Pre-Season is all about, finding your rhythm and getting familiar with your new teammates’ style of play. I just hope I don’t have to wait too much longer in order to see some tangible results.
Steve says:
So last nights game was not exactly what most of us had in mind when we thought of Vesa Toskala's first game as a Leaf.
First shot = first weak goal.
Some people actually booed Vesa for that.
But, just for a minute, try to imagine the nerves that must have been working overtime for Toskala.
He comes from San Jose, where their average attendance was probably in the ball park of 7-10,000. And reporters after the game? Maybe 1 or 2 here and there...
Now move to the centre of the Hockey universe where thousands of people spend their entire day either chatting on forums, or talking on the radio, or TV or in coffee shops and bars about every single move the team and the management make. At every practise there is a swarm of media. At game time, the ACC is exploding with energy.
Add to it the fact that Vesa sat on the pine for most of the games in SJ, and that it was the first game after a long summer.
I think if you take that all into account, Vesa can be forgiven losing game one.
Just don't let it happen again, or Toronto will have your head!
What goes around, comes around.
After beating the Coyotes 3-2 in their last pre-season match up Wednesday, the Leafers found themselves on the short end of the stick against the very same team dropping last night’s game by an identical score.
Most disturbing element?
The Coyotes scored on Toskala with their first shot on net. If that doesn’t say humbling I don’t know what does. Now, the man isn’t completely to blame. There was some pretty lackluster D being played by the Leafs throughout. But I have to say this was supposed to be one of our big off-season upgrades and with Raycroft performing about as well as he normally does, I’m not seeing out of Tosk to put my faith in him quite yet.
This is what the Pre-Season is all about, finding your rhythm and getting familiar with your new teammates’ style of play. I just hope I don’t have to wait too much longer in order to see some tangible results.
Steve says:
So last nights game was not exactly what most of us had in mind when we thought of Vesa Toskala's first game as a Leaf.
First shot = first weak goal.
Some people actually booed Vesa for that.
But, just for a minute, try to imagine the nerves that must have been working overtime for Toskala.
He comes from San Jose, where their average attendance was probably in the ball park of 7-10,000. And reporters after the game? Maybe 1 or 2 here and there...
Now move to the centre of the Hockey universe where thousands of people spend their entire day either chatting on forums, or talking on the radio, or TV or in coffee shops and bars about every single move the team and the management make. At every practise there is a swarm of media. At game time, the ACC is exploding with energy.
Add to it the fact that Vesa sat on the pine for most of the games in SJ, and that it was the first game after a long summer.
I think if you take that all into account, Vesa can be forgiven losing game one.
Just don't let it happen again, or Toronto will have your head!
2007-09-20
spin..or sadness...Elisha Watch '07
Steve says:
Apparently, E.C.'s people issued some kind of statement which said that there is no tape and that it is all made up.
So either it is spin, and they hope to somehow stop it from getting online (yeah...like that will happen), or there really is no tape and some guy deserves to get his ass kicked for starting such a rumour with nothing to back it up with...
Pre-Season: Game 2
Chris says:
For those of you keeping track at home, our Pre-Season stats are 1 win and 1 loss. Of course no one is breaking out the champagne quite yet. A 3 – 2 win against the Coyotes, a team widely expected to make a run for the bottom, is hardly conclusive proof of anything. But we here at Hockey Talk are eternal optimists and even a win at a glorified game of shinny has us dreaming of the Cup.
I’m feeling good so far about the Sundin-Blake line. I think having a 40 goal scorer on his flank will go a long way to relieving some of the pressure he must feel to carry the line as well as creating a double scoring threat. Last night seems to bear that out.
Goal scorers last night? Blake, Steen and Kilger.
Here’s to 2008.
Steve says:
That's a bit better boys...The Sundin-Blake combo is starting to look really good, but damn we have got to stop giving the puck away (Gill, I'm looking at you).
although Gill had 2 helpers in the game, he also did a tape to tape pass right onto a phoenix players stick....
I mean, come on,...that's basic stuff we are dealing with here...Don't pass the puck to the other team.
If you lose the puck in a battle on the boards, OK
If you lose the puck scrambling in front of the net, OK (not great but OK)
BUT
If you are in your zone and you PASS it to the other team, NOT OK!
We need to work on D still, but it should come with time....and Raycroft looked shaky in the last minute, but had much better rebound control for most of the night. The go ahead goal scored by Phoenix was , yup you guessed it , short side glove hand!..dude...practise using your glove ...PLEASE!!!!
so, overall I'd say that was a below average game, with some moments of offensive greatness against a mediocre team.
We will need to do better against other teams.
but a win is a win...I'll take it....and yes, I am wearing the Blue and White today!
For those of you keeping track at home, our Pre-Season stats are 1 win and 1 loss. Of course no one is breaking out the champagne quite yet. A 3 – 2 win against the Coyotes, a team widely expected to make a run for the bottom, is hardly conclusive proof of anything. But we here at Hockey Talk are eternal optimists and even a win at a glorified game of shinny has us dreaming of the Cup.
I’m feeling good so far about the Sundin-Blake line. I think having a 40 goal scorer on his flank will go a long way to relieving some of the pressure he must feel to carry the line as well as creating a double scoring threat. Last night seems to bear that out.
Goal scorers last night? Blake, Steen and Kilger.
Here’s to 2008.
Steve says:
That's a bit better boys...The Sundin-Blake combo is starting to look really good, but damn we have got to stop giving the puck away (Gill, I'm looking at you).although Gill had 2 helpers in the game, he also did a tape to tape pass right onto a phoenix players stick....
I mean, come on,...that's basic stuff we are dealing with here...Don't pass the puck to the other team.
If you lose the puck in a battle on the boards, OK
If you lose the puck scrambling in front of the net, OK (not great but OK)
BUT
If you are in your zone and you PASS it to the other team, NOT OK!
We need to work on D still, but it should come with time....and Raycroft looked shaky in the last minute, but had much better rebound control for most of the night. The go ahead goal scored by Phoenix was , yup you guessed it , short side glove hand!..dude...practise using your glove ...PLEASE!!!!
so, overall I'd say that was a below average game, with some moments of offensive greatness against a mediocre team.
We will need to do better against other teams.
but a win is a win...I'll take it....and yes, I am wearing the Blue and White today!
2007-09-18
1st game...1st loss
Steve says:
well...it didn't end as I would have hoped, but wow, what a game...the future really does look good for the Leafs....great plays, lots of grit, and the goal tending was outstanding..
I will say the ref called way too many penalties, especially for a preseason game....
and we spent a lot of time in the box...i guess that issues is still carrying over from last year...that's gotta stop...
Justin Pogge stole large parts of that game for us...just awesome to watch...
kudos to NHL TV for putting these games online for free!
Chris says:
I'm a bad commentator.
I missed the game because I was playing one of my own. But I did read the wrap up. Apparently Paul Maurice is none to happy with his Top Line not playing the way he'd like to see. It's one game and waaaay to early to read into it. Mo is probably just trying to make sure he's lit a fire under the collective asses of his team early on.
well...it didn't end as I would have hoped, but wow, what a game...the future really does look good for the Leafs....great plays, lots of grit, and the goal tending was outstanding..
I will say the ref called way too many penalties, especially for a preseason game....
and we spent a lot of time in the box...i guess that issues is still carrying over from last year...that's gotta stop...
Justin Pogge stole large parts of that game for us...just awesome to watch...
kudos to NHL TV for putting these games online for free!
Chris says:
I'm a bad commentator.
I missed the game because I was playing one of my own. But I did read the wrap up. Apparently Paul Maurice is none to happy with his Top Line not playing the way he'd like to see. It's one game and waaaay to early to read into it. Mo is probably just trying to make sure he's lit a fire under the collective asses of his team early on.
be a coach
Steve says:Hey you...volunteer to be a coach in a kids minor hockey league...be part of the game instead of just a spectator...I am the assistant coach on my son's team...it is crazy amounts of fun...get involved ya lazy bum!
free on line games
Steve says:watch all preseason games free on-line...
https://www.nhl.tv/team/secure/loginform?product=SEASON
create your account from where you will be watching the games cuz they base it on IP address...
Go Leafs
Game 1
blue and white game
Steve says:
argh...whole post just disappeared..so now you get the short form version...
saw the blue and white game
Liked:
sundin-Blake combo....great passing and playmaking
Dis-liked:
Toskala and raycroft leaving the net and being so bad with stick handling the puck
also, the Defense barely cleared rebounds
also heard that Sundin tweaked his wrist catching a Darcy tucker pass...hope that doesn't bite us in the ass later...
and as a side note...i heard a fight broke out at the Sens intersquad game...idiots....
Chris Says:
Say it loud now, "Sens Suck!"
Elisha Watch '07 cont.
Steve says:
On my way into work i heard on the radio that there is in fact a soon to
be an....ELISHA CUTHBERT SEX TAPE!
I imagine it is the result of one of two things
Either a) she needs a boost to her career...her last few movies have not done so well...actually what movie (besides Girl Next Door) has done well...?
or b) Sean Avery is pissed she dumped him and ..oops leaked it...
either way...Elisha Watch '07 in full effect!
totally un-hockey related..but who cares...
On my way into work i heard on the radio that there is in fact a soon to
be an....ELISHA CUTHBERT SEX TAPE!
I imagine it is the result of one of two things
Either a) she needs a boost to her career...her last few movies have not done so well...actually what movie (besides Girl Next Door) has done well...?
or b) Sean Avery is pissed she dumped him and ..oops leaked it...
either way...Elisha Watch '07 in full effect!
totally un-hockey related..but who cares...
Chris Says:
We here at Hockey Talk are always striving to regurgitate the stories that TRULY interest you. We don't pigeonhole ourselves into just one one genre. We're a full access blog.
2007-09-11
carlo carlo carlo
Steve says:
Apparently Carlo had knee surgery in June...something minor, but he MAY not be able to start the season....AGAIN!
What does this guy have to do to stay healthy?
Chris says:
I was at the Leafs\Sens game two years ago when he took that vicious hit. That hit really seems to have marked the start of all his troubles.
As far as staying healthy goes, Hockey is a rough and tumble sport it's not always possible keep from getting injured. Look at Antropov. I think last year was his first injury free season.
Now you can be like some people, suggesting that Colaiacovo and Antropov are made of glass, and you may very well be right. I think that it's more likely that when you go out there every other night and subject your body to that level of violence you're going to pay a heavy price for that commitment.
Apparently Carlo had knee surgery in June...something minor, but he MAY not be able to start the season....AGAIN!
What does this guy have to do to stay healthy?
Chris says:
I was at the Leafs\Sens game two years ago when he took that vicious hit. That hit really seems to have marked the start of all his troubles.
As far as staying healthy goes, Hockey is a rough and tumble sport it's not always possible keep from getting injured. Look at Antropov. I think last year was his first injury free season.
Now you can be like some people, suggesting that Colaiacovo and Antropov are made of glass, and you may very well be right. I think that it's more likely that when you go out there every other night and subject your body to that level of violence you're going to pay a heavy price for that commitment.
2007-08-29
Elisha Watch '07
Chris Says:
Elisha Cuthbert has split up with Sean Avery. The Rangers loss is our gain.
Our sweet, sweet gain.
Steve says:
wow...i didn't even know that Elisha Watch '07 existed...was there an
'06?
Elisha Cuthbert has split up with Sean Avery. The Rangers loss is our gain.
Our sweet, sweet gain.
Steve says:
wow...i didn't even know that Elisha Watch '07 existed...was there an
'06?
2007-08-28
Bye Bye Belfour
Steve says:
Belfour will be in Sweden this season. He signed on with Swedish club Leksands IF on Monday.
Belfour went 27-17-10 with a 2.77 goals-against average for the Florida Panthers last season.
A two-time Vezina Trophy winner, Belfour is third place on the all-time wins list behind Martin Brodeur and Hall of Famer Patrick Roy. Belfour is also a five-time All-Star, with 484 career wins, a 2.50 GAA and 76 shutouts in 963 games with Florida, Chicago (1988-96), San Jose (1996-97), Dallas (1997-2002) and Toronto (2002-06).
I know he has had some issues with the law lately...and that is my thinking about why no club has signed him...he's not "the best" but he is still a lot better than a lot of tenders out there...
Chris says:
Unsteady Eddie. What happened?
Getting in a bar fight and then claiming that the floor was just slippery and you "accidentally" fell on the other guy?
I was a big Cujo fan and when Belfour first came on the scene I wasn't willing to give him the time of day. But during his stay in Toronto he admirably filled Cujo's duties(and then some). After a pretty h0-hum year with Raycroft between the pipes I caught myself wishing for his return on more than one occasion.
Now he's being banished across the pond, his NHL career at an end. That is until someone else's netminder has a meltdown halfway throught the season. At which point time, Belfour starts to look like a viable option.
Belfour will be in Sweden this season. He signed on with Swedish club Leksands IF on Monday.
Belfour went 27-17-10 with a 2.77 goals-against average for the Florida Panthers last season.
A two-time Vezina Trophy winner, Belfour is third place on the all-time wins list behind Martin Brodeur and Hall of Famer Patrick Roy. Belfour is also a five-time All-Star, with 484 career wins, a 2.50 GAA and 76 shutouts in 963 games with Florida, Chicago (1988-96), San Jose (1996-97), Dallas (1997-2002) and Toronto (2002-06).
I know he has had some issues with the law lately...and that is my thinking about why no club has signed him...he's not "the best" but he is still a lot better than a lot of tenders out there...
Chris says:
Unsteady Eddie. What happened?
Getting in a bar fight and then claiming that the floor was just slippery and you "accidentally" fell on the other guy?
I was a big Cujo fan and when Belfour first came on the scene I wasn't willing to give him the time of day. But during his stay in Toronto he admirably filled Cujo's duties(and then some). After a pretty h0-hum year with Raycroft between the pipes I caught myself wishing for his return on more than one occasion.
Now he's being banished across the pond, his NHL career at an end. That is until someone else's netminder has a meltdown halfway throught the season. At which point time, Belfour starts to look like a viable option.
2007-08-23
Peca a Blue Jacket
Chris Says:
Our loss is Columbus' gain.
Peca signed a one year deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets. I know the Leafs were trying to massage some numbers to bring him back into the fold but for whatever reason that fell through.
No word on his salary yet.
I would have liked to have seen what the man could have accomplished had his season not been cut short in such a drastic fashion.
Steve says:
I'm on the fence. One side says that he was great on the p/k so it would be nice to have that, but I also know that out goal tending is better now...so that difference maybe negligible.
Also, he might be a Lindros in disguise...and I want no part of that.
The Rangers had him take a physical, and they passed, which tells me something is up.
Plus he's going to Columbus, who really don't have a shot which tells me that of the 3 teams he was speaking with, Columbus was the last of the bunch who would take a chance.
Good luck Mike...hope it doesn't bite us on the ass later in the year!
Our loss is Columbus' gain.
Peca signed a one year deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets. I know the Leafs were trying to massage some numbers to bring him back into the fold but for whatever reason that fell through.
No word on his salary yet.
I would have liked to have seen what the man could have accomplished had his season not been cut short in such a drastic fashion.
Steve says:
I'm on the fence. One side says that he was great on the p/k so it would be nice to have that, but I also know that out goal tending is better now...so that difference maybe negligible.
Also, he might be a Lindros in disguise...and I want no part of that.
The Rangers had him take a physical, and they passed, which tells me something is up.
Plus he's going to Columbus, who really don't have a shot which tells me that of the 3 teams he was speaking with, Columbus was the last of the bunch who would take a chance.
Good luck Mike...hope it doesn't bite us on the ass later in the year!
2007-08-16
forsberg interested in Toronto
Steve says:
yes it is just a rumour...but it was one from Leafs lunch apparently, which means it does have some weight to it...
Forsberg-Sundin-Blake
wow!
yes it is just a rumour...but it was one from Leafs lunch apparently, which means it does have some weight to it...
Forsberg-Sundin-Blake
wow!
2007-08-01
Hangar Time
Chris Says:
It's a slow news day here at Hockey Talk. Steve is up north camping under the stars and I'm left to toil away at my office desk..."working".
Some quick newsbits.
1. MLSE is going to be upgrading the ice at the ACC. They're apparently dropping millions into the project. Plans include installing a new dehumidifying system, scheduling fewer non-hockey events...and turning down the thermostat.
I can vouch for the humidity in the ACC being a problem. The last time me and the gf were there we started getting dripped on halfway through the event. At first we just thought the group behind us was getting rambunctious with their beer, then we realized that we were sitting under a cooling pipe. Water was condensing along the bottom of it and periodically dripping on us.
More annoying then anything else, but it does go to show that perhaps they aren't far off the mark in thinking they need to work on their dehumidifiers.
2. Just in time for those shiny new condos, MLSE is going to do some reno work on the ACC. At a price tag of 24 million dollary doos MLSE is going to be removing the west side of the building and replace it with a glass atrium. The atrium will then link up the ACC to the new condos being built in the new downtown MLSE playland.
You're forgiven if you fell asleep during this post.
It's a slow news day here at Hockey Talk. Steve is up north camping under the stars and I'm left to toil away at my office desk..."working".
Some quick newsbits.
1. MLSE is going to be upgrading the ice at the ACC. They're apparently dropping millions into the project. Plans include installing a new dehumidifying system, scheduling fewer non-hockey events...and turning down the thermostat.
I can vouch for the humidity in the ACC being a problem. The last time me and the gf were there we started getting dripped on halfway through the event. At first we just thought the group behind us was getting rambunctious with their beer, then we realized that we were sitting under a cooling pipe. Water was condensing along the bottom of it and periodically dripping on us.
More annoying then anything else, but it does go to show that perhaps they aren't far off the mark in thinking they need to work on their dehumidifiers.
2. Just in time for those shiny new condos, MLSE is going to do some reno work on the ACC. At a price tag of 24 million dollary doos MLSE is going to be removing the west side of the building and replace it with a glass atrium. The atrium will then link up the ACC to the new condos being built in the new downtown MLSE playland.
You're forgiven if you fell asleep during this post.
2007-07-26
Peca: Take 2
Chris Says:
The Peca rumours just won't die. Apparently JFJ has made more than one phone call to Peca expressing the Leafes interest in having him back. Again, the problem being that the Leaf cap space is negligible right now and that the team would have to move\trade some bodies in order to free up the cash. First up on the chopping block? Stajan.
There' s no point in trying to figure out what's going to happen here. We're not the only team in the hunt for this guy so our (in)ability to tender a competitive offer may be moot if another team (Rangers) is able to plunk down the right amount of cash. Things can change in an instant and we're all outsiders trying to peer behind the curtain.
Peca's feisty and great on the penality kill but I don't think it makes sense to get rid of Stajan just to keep him around. It smacks of trading developing talent for established age and that's a sucker's bet the Leafs keep falling for year after year.
The Peca rumours just won't die. Apparently JFJ has made more than one phone call to Peca expressing the Leafes interest in having him back. Again, the problem being that the Leaf cap space is negligible right now and that the team would have to move\trade some bodies in order to free up the cash. First up on the chopping block? Stajan.
There' s no point in trying to figure out what's going to happen here. We're not the only team in the hunt for this guy so our (in)ability to tender a competitive offer may be moot if another team (Rangers) is able to plunk down the right amount of cash. Things can change in an instant and we're all outsiders trying to peer behind the curtain.
Peca's feisty and great on the penality kill but I don't think it makes sense to get rid of Stajan just to keep him around. It smacks of trading developing talent for established age and that's a sucker's bet the Leafs keep falling for year after year.
2007-07-25
Peca back?
Chris says:
Prescient comment Steveo. Apparently the Leafs are kicking Peca's tires.
Would Peca be a good fit for the Leafers? If the price is right. I never felt like I got a great opp to evaluate Peca as a player. When he took that hit last year I knew he'd be out for awhile. (Althougth I never figured on the rest of the season)
Bottom line. If you look at the Leafs roster as it stands now there's not a lot of money to go chasing after Pec without moving around some other people. I'd be interested in bringing him back, but it all depends on his price tag.
Prescient comment Steveo. Apparently the Leafs are kicking Peca's tires.
Would Peca be a good fit for the Leafers? If the price is right. I never felt like I got a great opp to evaluate Peca as a player. When he took that hit last year I knew he'd be out for awhile. (Althougth I never figured on the rest of the season)
Bottom line. If you look at the Leafs roster as it stands now there's not a lot of money to go chasing after Pec without moving around some other people. I'd be interested in bringing him back, but it all depends on his price tag.
2007-07-24
Goalie moves
Steve says:
Emery re-signed with Ottawa...word on the street is that L.A. wanted Emery, but would look to Raycroft should Emery re-sign...now that that has happened (3 years @ 9. something stoopid mill), what can L.A. offer us....? and is it a good idea...I think perhaps not...some competition and less games played this season could be a positive thing for Raycroft...that and a new catcher!
Chris says:
Ahhh. Here we go. Apologizing for Raycroft. I have nothing against the guy but after his inaugural season with the Leafers I no longer feel secure with him anchoring the net. I've lost faith in him and that says a lot.
Where Rayzor falls short, in comparison to other recent Leaf goalies, is that the man is only as good as his team. If the D in front of him is porous you never felt that he would make up the difference. Cujo and Eddie were not the be all and the end all of Toronto goalies but occasionally, when the chips were down and the rest of the team were playing ragged, they'd steal a game by completely stonewalling the other team.
I've never felt that presence or seen that brilliance from Raycroft.
Steve says:
and steal a game or 2 is what teams need these days. I think that Toskala can certainly steal a few games for us...and maybe this will be what Raycroft needs...he is young still...so I am willing to give him another season...but if his glove hand still looks week a few weeks into this season..trade him!
OR...if we can get Peca back, we should lose Raycroft to open up cap space to allow that to happen...unless Peca signs for 1.5m...which is a possibility....
Emery re-signed with Ottawa...word on the street is that L.A. wanted Emery, but would look to Raycroft should Emery re-sign...now that that has happened (3 years @ 9. something stoopid mill), what can L.A. offer us....? and is it a good idea...I think perhaps not...some competition and less games played this season could be a positive thing for Raycroft...that and a new catcher!
Chris says:
Ahhh. Here we go. Apologizing for Raycroft. I have nothing against the guy but after his inaugural season with the Leafers I no longer feel secure with him anchoring the net. I've lost faith in him and that says a lot.
Where Rayzor falls short, in comparison to other recent Leaf goalies, is that the man is only as good as his team. If the D in front of him is porous you never felt that he would make up the difference. Cujo and Eddie were not the be all and the end all of Toronto goalies but occasionally, when the chips were down and the rest of the team were playing ragged, they'd steal a game by completely stonewalling the other team.
I've never felt that presence or seen that brilliance from Raycroft.
Steve says:
and steal a game or 2 is what teams need these days. I think that Toskala can certainly steal a few games for us...and maybe this will be what Raycroft needs...he is young still...so I am willing to give him another season...but if his glove hand still looks week a few weeks into this season..trade him!
OR...if we can get Peca back, we should lose Raycroft to open up cap space to allow that to happen...unless Peca signs for 1.5m...which is a possibility....
2007-07-17
Nathan Perrott
Chris Says:
Winger Nathan Perrott has re-upped with the Marlies. Perrott had a couple brief stints with the big club a couple years ago.
Winger Nathan Perrott has re-upped with the Marlies. Perrott had a couple brief stints with the big club a couple years ago.
sickness and JF Senior
Steve says:
I have not been posting because I have been sick...and I think my sickness is being caused by my rotted basement floors! I started tearing them up yesterday with my father-in-law. We were hoping top be able to use a circular saw to cut sections, but the wood is so rotted, that we ended up having to use the claw side of our hammers!
my basement is now a pile of ripped up wood and tiles, with a lot of dampness and water which is not helping my sickness at all.
But I did manage to find some time late last night to watch some of a vintage game between the Leafs and habs from the JF Senior days.
R.I.P. JF
Chris Says:
Um. I haven't been posting because of it's the Offseason and for once, not much is happening. At least nothing Leaf related.
Fergie's memorial service takes place this Saturday in Windsor. He was 68 when he passed on. It says something about the state of modern medicine when you can genuinely claim that 68 is far too young.
I have not been posting because I have been sick...and I think my sickness is being caused by my rotted basement floors! I started tearing them up yesterday with my father-in-law. We were hoping top be able to use a circular saw to cut sections, but the wood is so rotted, that we ended up having to use the claw side of our hammers!
my basement is now a pile of ripped up wood and tiles, with a lot of dampness and water which is not helping my sickness at all.
But I did manage to find some time late last night to watch some of a vintage game between the Leafs and habs from the JF Senior days.
R.I.P. JF
Chris Says:
Um. I haven't been posting because of it's the Offseason and for once, not much is happening. At least nothing Leaf related.
Fergie's memorial service takes place this Saturday in Windsor. He was 68 when he passed on. It says something about the state of modern medicine when you can genuinely claim that 68 is far too young.
2007-07-12
more O for less D
Steve says:
another Leaf rumour...(woo hoo)...is that Leafs are speaking with the Avs about Hejduk and Svatos....in exchange for some help on their blue line...
I imagine that for us to get Hejduk, we would need to give up a pretty decent player...the rumour has Cola attached to the trade...which I hope does not end up being the case...but we will have to lose someone more than half decent for this to happen...
Hejduk - Sundin - Blake
that's a sweet line!
Chris Says:
Ahhh the rumour mill.
Its always, ALWAYS, one hundred percent correct. Of course this is the same rumour mill that had Sundin unhappy with Toronto last summer when he put his posh digs up for sale on the market. Or the one that sees him jumping ship after this year if the Leafs don't do something truly cup worthy.
Either way, I'll believe it when I see it.
*Althought I will say this, we've got more depth on our blue line than anywhere else. I'm just sayin.
another Leaf rumour...(woo hoo)...is that Leafs are speaking with the Avs about Hejduk and Svatos....in exchange for some help on their blue line...
I imagine that for us to get Hejduk, we would need to give up a pretty decent player...the rumour has Cola attached to the trade...which I hope does not end up being the case...but we will have to lose someone more than half decent for this to happen...
Hejduk - Sundin - Blake
that's a sweet line!
Chris Says:
Ahhh the rumour mill.
Its always, ALWAYS, one hundred percent correct. Of course this is the same rumour mill that had Sundin unhappy with Toronto last summer when he put his posh digs up for sale on the market. Or the one that sees him jumping ship after this year if the Leafs don't do something truly cup worthy.
Either way, I'll believe it when I see it.
*Althought I will say this, we've got more depth on our blue line than anywhere else. I'm just sayin.
2007-07-11
watching the banner raising...
Steve Says:
edited post***
actual sched shows Leafs at home on Oct. 3rd hosting the Sens
yes...at least our first game doesn't start with that banner crap!
http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app?month=OCT&page=Schedule&service=page
Chris Says:
Only a 40% premium to see the Leafs\Sens games.
I guess "premium" is legalese for "cornholing your fans".
edited post***
actual sched shows Leafs at home on Oct. 3rd hosting the Sens
yes...at least our first game doesn't start with that banner crap!
http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app?month=OCT&page=Schedule&service=page
Chris Says:
Only a 40% premium to see the Leafs\Sens games.
I guess "premium" is legalese for "cornholing your fans".
Sid the Kid
Chris Says:
It's not Leaf talk, but who cares.
Sid has re-upped for five more years with the Pens at a price tag of 45 million dollars.
That sound you heard was me crying quietly into my morning cup of coffee.
This guy isn't even twenty years old yet, which means he's barely been able to (legally) drink in Canada and can't yet (legally) imbibe in the city he's playing for.
Yet now he's worth 45 million dollars.
God. Damn.
Steve says:
I know...I told my kids that news last night and they asked me why I didn't play hockey...iI wept on the inside.
Chris Says:
"Daddy, can Sidney Crosby be our new Dad?"
It's not Leaf talk, but who cares.
Sid has re-upped for five more years with the Pens at a price tag of 45 million dollars.
That sound you heard was me crying quietly into my morning cup of coffee.
This guy isn't even twenty years old yet, which means he's barely been able to (legally) drink in Canada and can't yet (legally) imbibe in the city he's playing for.
Yet now he's worth 45 million dollars.
God. Damn.
Steve says:
I know...I told my kids that news last night and they asked me why I didn't play hockey...iI wept on the inside.
Chris Says:
"Daddy, can Sidney Crosby be our new Dad?"
2007-07-09
Scott Clemmensen (and then there were three)
Chris Says:
So. We've signed Scott Clemmensen.
Which means we've got three goalies now.
If this keeps up pretty soon we'll be icing a squad of goaltenders for every game.
Clemmensen was the guy NJ put in net last year for the last game of the season, instead of Brodeur. He's the guy who cost the Leafers a playoff spot. Now he may cost Raycroft his job.
Granted Clemmensen is on a two way contract which means he could find himself backing up Pogge in the Mariles. But I think it's pretty obvious that the Leafs goaltending sitch is far from played out.
Because in my eye now we've got one starting goalie, one backup and and one third wheel.
One of these things is not like the other...
Steve says:
I'm pretty sure that Clemmensen is Marlies bound...putting Raycroft in the minors would not only kill his career, but also lose serious $ value for the guy.
No, ... if anything happens in our nets between now and Oct., it will be a Raycroft trade and maybe a Cujo signing.
Chris Says:
Woah. Where did I say we were going to stick Raycroft in the minors? Would his contract even allow it?
No, Raycroft is slowly being delievered the not-so-subtle message that his time with the organization is over.
So. We've signed Scott Clemmensen.
Which means we've got three goalies now.
If this keeps up pretty soon we'll be icing a squad of goaltenders for every game.
Clemmensen was the guy NJ put in net last year for the last game of the season, instead of Brodeur. He's the guy who cost the Leafers a playoff spot. Now he may cost Raycroft his job.
Granted Clemmensen is on a two way contract which means he could find himself backing up Pogge in the Mariles. But I think it's pretty obvious that the Leafs goaltending sitch is far from played out.
Because in my eye now we've got one starting goalie, one backup and and one third wheel.
One of these things is not like the other...
Steve says:
I'm pretty sure that Clemmensen is Marlies bound...putting Raycroft in the minors would not only kill his career, but also lose serious $ value for the guy.
No, ... if anything happens in our nets between now and Oct., it will be a Raycroft trade and maybe a Cujo signing.
Chris Says:
Woah. Where did I say we were going to stick Raycroft in the minors? Would his contract even allow it?
No, Raycroft is slowly being delievered the not-so-subtle message that his time with the organization is over.
2007-07-06
On rivalries
Chris Says:
For my birthday present last year my gf bought me ticks to see the Sens play the Habs.
Now when I opened the present up I should have been insanely happy (which I was). But you could be forgiven for thinking otherwise. Because I was in a silent quandry.
Who the hell did I cheer for?
The Habs with whom the Leafs had a decades old rivalry?
Or the Sens. The dirty stinking Sens. (nuff said.)
I threw my support behind the Habs. Because hey, they don't live in the same province as me and the last time there was a truly memorable rivalry between them and the Leafs my father was probably still in short pants. Now the Sens on the other hand have been thorn in my side for the last ten years. And when your nearest and dearest, despite all your pleading, is determined to continue cheering for them...well...it builds a powerful hate in a man.
To complicate matters the Habs were running neck and neck with Leafs at the time for that last available playoff spot. So cheering for the Habs would, by extension, be me cheering against the Leafs.
So I just sat on my hands and watched the game. Actually it was almost more fun to watch the various fan factions goad each other. Did you know that even Habs fans do the "choke" symbol when playing Ottawa? I thought that was just a T.O. thing.
Now besides Leaf's games the only other Hockey I watch is when Canada as a whole is repped (think the Olympics or the Juniors). I catch a lotta flack from people that I'm not a true hockey fan. A true hockey fan would continue to watch the playoffs for the love of the game once their team was eleminated.
Maybe they're right. Maybe I'm not a hockey fan, just a Leafs fan. And I'm all right with that. I'll watch other games if they're on the tube, but I sure won't seek em out.
Because when you throw all your support behind one team it starts to feel dishonest to cheer for another.
Steve says:
BUT, by cheering for the Sens to win, you are really cheering for your team better it's chances to make it into the playoffs...how is that dishonest in any way?
You knew the standings when we went to that game and you knew what the different outcomes would do to the Leafs chances. So where was your Leaf jersey?!!!
ps. to anyone reading this, NEVER take your car to the palladium, or Scotiabank place or whatever the frik they are calling it these days...it took me 2.5 hours to get out of the parking lot! and then the traffic was soooo stupid on the highway, it was basically another parking lot...
take the bus...
Chris Says:
I wore my Leafs cap into the den of the beast which is more than I can say for you!
For my birthday present last year my gf bought me ticks to see the Sens play the Habs.
Now when I opened the present up I should have been insanely happy (which I was). But you could be forgiven for thinking otherwise. Because I was in a silent quandry.
Who the hell did I cheer for?
The Habs with whom the Leafs had a decades old rivalry?
Or the Sens. The dirty stinking Sens. (nuff said.)
I threw my support behind the Habs. Because hey, they don't live in the same province as me and the last time there was a truly memorable rivalry between them and the Leafs my father was probably still in short pants. Now the Sens on the other hand have been thorn in my side for the last ten years. And when your nearest and dearest, despite all your pleading, is determined to continue cheering for them...well...it builds a powerful hate in a man.
To complicate matters the Habs were running neck and neck with Leafs at the time for that last available playoff spot. So cheering for the Habs would, by extension, be me cheering against the Leafs.
So I just sat on my hands and watched the game. Actually it was almost more fun to watch the various fan factions goad each other. Did you know that even Habs fans do the "choke" symbol when playing Ottawa? I thought that was just a T.O. thing.
Now besides Leaf's games the only other Hockey I watch is when Canada as a whole is repped (think the Olympics or the Juniors). I catch a lotta flack from people that I'm not a true hockey fan. A true hockey fan would continue to watch the playoffs for the love of the game once their team was eleminated.
Maybe they're right. Maybe I'm not a hockey fan, just a Leafs fan. And I'm all right with that. I'll watch other games if they're on the tube, but I sure won't seek em out.
Because when you throw all your support behind one team it starts to feel dishonest to cheer for another.
Steve says:
BUT, by cheering for the Sens to win, you are really cheering for your team better it's chances to make it into the playoffs...how is that dishonest in any way?
You knew the standings when we went to that game and you knew what the different outcomes would do to the Leafs chances. So where was your Leaf jersey?!!!
ps. to anyone reading this, NEVER take your car to the palladium, or Scotiabank place or whatever the frik they are calling it these days...it took me 2.5 hours to get out of the parking lot! and then the traffic was soooo stupid on the highway, it was basically another parking lot...
take the bus...
Chris Says:
I wore my Leafs cap into the den of the beast which is more than I can say for you!
Muckler
Steve says:
Today MLSE is meeting with John Muckler to interview him for a babysitting position. He is quite the experienced babysitter. 50 years of experience and 5 Rings (not marriage rings, the other kind).
I think this might become a new trend in the NHL if it works out. You know,...management really likes a guy as GM, but he needs some fine tuning so they bring in a dinosaur to kick his ass for a while until the GM develops a thick enough skin to properly deal...that sorta thing...
I saw was speaking with some Sens fan about the situation and he said that it would be an admittance (is that a word..i think it is...) by Leafs fans that the Sens are a better organization...I asked him then if that meant that the Sens were admitting that they were inferior to the Rangers, to the Sabres, and the Oilers...he had nothing to say...
know ya hockey before ya try to brag!
Today MLSE is meeting with John Muckler to interview him for a babysitting position. He is quite the experienced babysitter. 50 years of experience and 5 Rings (not marriage rings, the other kind).
I think this might become a new trend in the NHL if it works out. You know,...management really likes a guy as GM, but he needs some fine tuning so they bring in a dinosaur to kick his ass for a while until the GM develops a thick enough skin to properly deal...that sorta thing...
I saw was speaking with some Sens fan about the situation and he said that it would be an admittance (is that a word..i think it is...) by Leafs fans that the Sens are a better organization...I asked him then if that meant that the Sens were admitting that they were inferior to the Rangers, to the Sabres, and the Oilers...he had nothing to say...
know ya hockey before ya try to brag!
Chris Says:
Oh for frig's sake...
We already have a GM.
S#%t or get off the pot already. If you don't want JFJ then at least do him the honour of treating him like a human being and fire his ass. It's bloody clear to all of us watching on the sidelines that for whatever reason you don't trust him to do his job without some kind of hand holding. Don't screw around with him and his job, muddying up some already pretty dirty water. Who the hell would want to come and work (much less play) for the Toronto Maple Leafs with this kind of nonsense going on?
It's like the dying days of the Roman senate at the MLSE board. Everyone wants to get their hands into whatever pie they can. Everyone wants power. With such a byzantine power structure who is really in control of the front office?
Is it JFJ?
Is it Peddie?
Is it Tanenbaum?
Will it be Muckler?
What we really need is clear sense of the organizational chart for MLSE. Who reports to who and who's in charge of what. Right now the left hand doesn't even know we have a right hand, much less what it's doing.
I don't want Muckler and more importantly we don't need him as it stand right now.
Enough with the backroom politics. Let's put a hockey team together already.
An email conversation...
This is a typical email conversation between Steve and Chris...
Chris:
Locals are trying to buy the Preds apparently.
Steve:
really...how is that gonna work...the only reason the sale didn't go for Balsillie is they wanted to keep the teams in the US
C:
Well, The sale isn't dead technically.I wouldn't bet money on it succeeding, but it's still alive.Now if JB threw more money at it.
S:
he threw more than $50 mil more than the other guy, and showed that Hamiltonians would buy tics!...what the heck does betteman want
C:
A Hummer.
S:
as in oral sex or the gas guzzling vehicle?
C:
Whatever one gets the job done.
Chris:
Locals are trying to buy the Preds apparently.
Steve:
really...how is that gonna work...the only reason the sale didn't go for Balsillie is they wanted to keep the teams in the US
C:
Well, The sale isn't dead technically.I wouldn't bet money on it succeeding, but it's still alive.Now if JB threw more money at it.
S:
he threw more than $50 mil more than the other guy, and showed that Hamiltonians would buy tics!...what the heck does betteman want
C:
A Hummer.
S:
as in oral sex or the gas guzzling vehicle?
C:
Whatever one gets the job done.
2007-07-04
Toskala's New Contract
Chris says:
So the Leafs have resigned Toskala to a two year extension on his current contract.
Just in time for Pogge to take over the reins.
Which means, by my count, we've got one to many starting goalies. At best, we're in a platooning scenario with Toskala and Raycroft splitting the duties. Realistically? Someone is warming the bench.
I think the Leafs are going to give Raycroft a very short leash this year. The first goalie to go on a hot streak has won himself the starter's role and the other guy is officially backup. I think this may be the Leaf's way of letting him know his days are numbered. Great White Hope in 06, Yesterday's man in 07.
S'gotta be a tough blow when you're dealing with million dollar salaries and the prestige of being a number one starter.
They jury's out for now. I haven't seen Toskala play enough to make a call on him either way. But I do know that I watched Raycroft let in enough soft goals over the stretch to wear my loyalty to him pretty thin.
Steve says:
Raycroft will be traded. We will get rid of his 2mil cap hit and replace him with Cujo at 800K.
If JFJ keeps Raycroft around, it will be a mistake. That's way too much to pay a bench warmer, and with Toskala in place, that is exactly what Raycroft will be.
Cujo has expressed an interest in returning to Toronto even if it means a reduction in salary. As much as I don't like Raycroft, his #'s are slightly better than Cujo's and when it comes down to it, that means more. The fans want Cujo. His price is better. He has experience. But I can't help but wonder if Raycroft is designed to be a platooning goalie. Maybe we just played him too much last year.
I don't think we'll get the chance to see..I bet he'll be gone by summer's end.
So the Leafs have resigned Toskala to a two year extension on his current contract.
Just in time for Pogge to take over the reins.
Which means, by my count, we've got one to many starting goalies. At best, we're in a platooning scenario with Toskala and Raycroft splitting the duties. Realistically? Someone is warming the bench.
I think the Leafs are going to give Raycroft a very short leash this year. The first goalie to go on a hot streak has won himself the starter's role and the other guy is officially backup. I think this may be the Leaf's way of letting him know his days are numbered. Great White Hope in 06, Yesterday's man in 07.
S'gotta be a tough blow when you're dealing with million dollar salaries and the prestige of being a number one starter.
They jury's out for now. I haven't seen Toskala play enough to make a call on him either way. But I do know that I watched Raycroft let in enough soft goals over the stretch to wear my loyalty to him pretty thin.
Steve says:
Raycroft will be traded. We will get rid of his 2mil cap hit and replace him with Cujo at 800K.
If JFJ keeps Raycroft around, it will be a mistake. That's way too much to pay a bench warmer, and with Toskala in place, that is exactly what Raycroft will be.
Cujo has expressed an interest in returning to Toronto even if it means a reduction in salary. As much as I don't like Raycroft, his #'s are slightly better than Cujo's and when it comes down to it, that means more. The fans want Cujo. His price is better. He has experience. But I can't help but wonder if Raycroft is designed to be a platooning goalie. Maybe we just played him too much last year.
I don't think we'll get the chance to see..I bet he'll be gone by summer's end.
2007-07-03
Bates Battaglia re-signed.
Chris says:
Battaglia has resigned with Leafs
650k a year for two years.
Bates did a great job stepping up last year when the Leafs were reeling from all their injuries. He showed a lot of grit and a lot of heart. I don't know if he'll be playing with the big club to start, but I certainly think he has the potential to crack the roster. Either way he's a good player to call up if we lose someone over the course of the season.
Overall, I'd say the signing was a good thing.
Steve says:
I mostly agree, but I don't think he'll even make the big team unless there is an injury. We have better players who will force him out of the line....Unless he has a fantastic season with the Marlies, I think he'll be part of a trade later in the season....maybe something with Raycroft as a package deal...
Battaglia has resigned with Leafs
650k a year for two years.
Bates did a great job stepping up last year when the Leafs were reeling from all their injuries. He showed a lot of grit and a lot of heart. I don't know if he'll be playing with the big club to start, but I certainly think he has the potential to crack the roster. Either way he's a good player to call up if we lose someone over the course of the season.
Overall, I'd say the signing was a good thing.
Steve says:
I mostly agree, but I don't think he'll even make the big team unless there is an injury. We have better players who will force him out of the line....Unless he has a fantastic season with the Marlies, I think he'll be part of a trade later in the season....maybe something with Raycroft as a package deal...
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