Random Playoff Thoughts

Ho-hum. How's the off-season so far?

1. Who's your favourite ex-Sen (or Leaf) in the running? While Chara and Havlat are sentimental favorites (F.Y.M.), let's not forget former Black/Red/Gold wearers Sami "The Flamingo" Salo and Brooks "Peter Bondra and a bag 'o pucks" Laich.

2. The Sharks need to go down in order to seriously shake up the office pool dynamics. Everyone and their dog loaded up on Bruins in the east, and the west seems to be the only real gamble. I am impressed by the hockey pool neophytes who picked alphabetically and are doing quite well while Anaheim hang in there.

3. There are many truly irritating commercials, but the Air Canada finger painting/singing children one is perhaps the most irritating of all.

4. I'm kind of hoping Pittsburgh goes deep only because I'm guaranteed to be entertained by The Pens Blog.

5. I still love CHRIS Cuthbert's high PITCHED vocal INFLECTIONS!

You Stay Classy, Surrey

Jeesus, act like ya been there people:

Surrey Leader: Officer injured in post-Canucks fracas



To the region's credit, I don't believe there's been a "targeted shooting" since the playoffs started. If they crap the bed in Round 2, though, I'm looking into body armor options.

If you have any doubts...

"The Ducks, despite being badly outshot, stunned the San Jose Sharks 2-0. Hiller, who has taken over from veteran J.S. Giguere, is a 27-year-old Swiss who was personally scouted and signed in 2007 as a Euro free agent by Burke for Anaheim."

Wasn't that right around the time Murray had his tail between his legs buying out Ray Emery?

Happy Friday.

F**k You, Indeed

Another Battle of Ontario Battle has come and gone, and our good friend DC in YOW has made the case for a dynasty. He not only managed to lock up a second BoOB title on the final weekend, fending off a strong challenge from David Johnson, but recorded the highest percentage increase in points since the All-Star break. This gives him most of this year's hardware, the only exception being the McCabe Memorial Award which will either be sent to Pension for a tour around his hometown (maybe he'll take it skydiving?) or lie in state here in the commish's hall closet.



Nicely done, DC. Shoot me an email to claim your prizes.

Well at least that goddamn season is finally over. Time to hang back, see if Dany and Jason can make their case for a 2010 roster spot in Switzerland, watch habtown burn to the ground after the sweep, and if we're up to it maybe allow ourselves to be driven mad by the latest heavy rotation marketing genius from Tim Hortons / Canadian Tire / Mastercard / Molson / CBC.

Have a great summer, everyone.

It's not as good as the playoffs, but...

In dramatic fashion Burke already stating he will try and trade up to draft Tavares.

Can he do it? Should he do it?
I'm not sure trading away prospects and/or 2nd + 1st rounders for Tavares is the right way to go. The only way I can see something like this happening is if Tampa get the first overall pick. They might need Tavares the least out of the bottom teams.

That aside, who can't wait to see Boston pummel Montreal?

Muppet vs. Muppet

So, one game left, against the Sens. Where you watching the game?

Sadly I'm not. Off to NYC this weekend. Mrs Muppet slid that one by me. Next season the schedule goes on the fridge so we get no more conflicts like this.

Ok, well before you hit YYZ, what do you make of this Hanson kid?

Not that impressed so far. He doesn't seem to use his size and he stops skating in his own end looking pretty lost. The two points in two games is nice, but he's Ponikorovsky at best. The jury is out.

He probably hasn't learned the system yet. Give him time.

This is a rebuild. Filling the team with prospects is great and all, but unless we add players who can find a higher level and surprise, it will be a team full of unremarkable players. We need a gem from this crop of kids. One of them needs to get to a Carter or a Boyes level. And fast.

Ok. Onto the standings. April 14th is the draft lottery, only the top 5 have a shot at #1. Are we going to make it?

For Toronto to get the 5th pick we need to lose Saturday, Phoenix would have to win two straight (against SJ and ANA), and LA needs to win one game against San Jose or Vancouver. I think we'll pick 6th at best.

And 6th is where Brayden Schenn is currently projected to go. Do you bring Luke's brother onto the team, or would that just be weird?

Brayden is a solid player. You go for the best player and if we pick 6th he might be it. The brother thing is secondary.

Well, it's 10:15am and you need to get some work done. Any parting words about the game Saturday?

Sens suck.

To the point. I like that.

A BoO Poll:

If the Leafs and Senators are tied in the standings Saturday at 7pm, and the losing team gets the higher draft choice, which team will you cheer for?

Burke is the man.

Tyler Bozak. F'n aye.

Throwing a bone

While I think most Leaf fans have turned the page on Justin Pogge (I know my expectations are measured in fractions these days), here's some interesting statistics on a few NHL goaltenders who took their time getting to the NHL. It may provide a little hope for the 22 year old to one day get it.

GOALTENDER AND GAMES PLAYED IN THE AHL/IHL:

Manny Fernandez 246
Tim Thomas 242 (includes European teams)
Dwayne Roloson 179
Ryan Miller 172 (4 seasons)
Justin Pogge 138
Jean-Sabastian Giguere 134

And that's just NA goaltenders. Hard to tell with the European tenders (Kipper for example), as I'm not sure what Euro leagues are on par with the AHL to make it a fair comparison.

One other strange stat: Patrick Roy had a career 5.41 GAA during his 3 years in the Q and his one game played in the AHL he allowed 4 goals. How he even got a look at the NHL with those stats is nothing short of a miracle.

The Bozak Thread: first of many on BoO?

As reported on TSN last night, Tyler Bozak has narrowed his NHL destination down to 3 or 4 teams. Toronto and Ottawa are believed to be the front-runners, while the Ducks are also rumoured to be on his shortlist. It's believed 26 teams were interested in his services, most of whom Tyler has called personally to say no thank you. The Flyers got their call yesterday.

You thought this would be just another Thursday? Think again. Bozak has been in Toronto all week with his agents and is expected to make his decision.

Today.

Hey, it's not so bad Sens fans.

It could be far, far worse.